UnitingCare Australia has welcomed COTA Australia’s State of the Older Nation report, released on 4 February 2026, exposing harmful stereotypes about older Australians—particularly the misconception that all older people are wealthy—when the lived experience for many is one of poverty, loneliness and age discrimination. The findings dismantle the persistent “rich boomer” myth and reinforce the urgency for policy and budget action to support people in poverty ageing.

“These findings show clearly why supporting vulnerable older people must be an urgent national priority—an issue UnitingCare Australia has long advocated for,” said Mrs Tracey Burton, Chief Executive of Uniting NSW.ACT and Board Member of UnitingCare Australia.

“Ageist stereotypes that portray older people as uniformly well-off fail to recognise the inherent dignity and value of every person, regardless of their age.”

While some findings are encouraging, showing more than three quarters of older Australians report satisfaction with their quality of life, the research also reveals that around one in four older Australians are living in poverty. COTA’s research confirms that older Australians, particularly those with limited means, continue to face barriers accessing fundamental supports, including safe and appropriate residential aged care.

“This creates an unacceptable and dangerous situation. No older person should be forced to sacrifice their health and wellbeing to make ends meet.”

UnitingCare Australia has outlined practical aged care reforms in its 2026–27 Pre-Budget Submission, Productivity with Purpose, and calls for targeted, evidence-based measures to close critical gaps – gaps that COTA’s findings now confirm.

A central recommendation is to increase the Aged Care Accommodation Supplement, which currently stands at $70.94 per resident – less than half the actual average cost of approximately $150 per day to provide safe, high-quality accommodation for older people with low means.

“The COTA findings reinforce exactly why we are urging the Government to increase the Supplement,” Mrs Burton said. “Without adequate funding for supported residents, the older Australians with the least resources are the ones who miss out.”

COTA’s findings also illustrate the disadvantages faced by older people, often Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, in regional and remote areas, where access to services is constrained and social isolation is rising.

“We are calling for continued and increased funding of the Aged Care Remote Accord to deliver practical, evidence-based solutions tailored to remote and very remote regions,” said Mrs Burton. “These solutions must be culturally safe and responsive to the diverse needs of older Australians, ensuring they can age with dignity, close to home and community.”

“With significant focus on aged care following the commencement of the new Aged Care Act last year, this research is a timely reminder that there is still much more work to do,” Mrs Burton said.

UnitingCare Australia remains committed to working alongside the Government and sector partners to drive policy changes that honours vulnerable older Australians and uplifts the standard of wellbeing across the country.

About UnitingCare Australia

UnitingCare Australia is the national body for the Uniting Church’s community services network and an agency of the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia. Through advocacy and by strengthening service provision, UnitingCare Australia gives voice to the Uniting Church’s commitment to social justice.

The UnitingCare Network is the largest network of social service providers in Australia, delivering 5.8 million interactions annually across 1,600 service locations in urban, rural, and remote communities, with over 55,000 staff and 17,000 volunteers.