Monday 6 July 2026

The Coalition succeeded before the winter break of Parliament in putting human decision making – not a computer algorithm – as the highest priority in decisions about the level of aged care support older Australians received.

The Aged Care Amendment (Restoring Human Override for Aged Care Needs Assessments) Bill 2026 passed with the support of the crossbench and everyone but the Albanese Labor Government.

Shadow Minister for Regional Health Dr Anne Webster said the result showed just how isolated Labor had become on an issue affecting hundreds of thousands of older Australians.

“Parliament has sent an unmistakable message to the Albanese Government that humans, not a computer algorithm, should be responsible for the life-changing decisions that determine the care older Australians receive,” Dr Webster said.

“Every other representative in the Senate recognised that principle. Only Labor voted to keep a flawed algorithm in charge of decisions that determine whether a senior can safely stay in their own home.”

"Labor promised to put the 'care' back in aged care, but wait lists have blown out and thousands have died waiting for care. The Coalition has moved to put the human care back into aged care, against Labor's opposition."

The Albanese Labor Government introduced the computerised Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) in November as part of the new aged care system. The IAT relies on an algorithm to determine what level of care older Australians receive, particularly for those receiving support to stay at home.

Government officials confirmed at Senate Estimates last month that the algorithm currently being used did not undergo any live trial or testing before being rolled out to make life-changing decisions.

“The Commonwealth Ombudsman is investigating, the Inspector-General of Aged Care has criticised the lack of human override. With about 100,000 older Australians waiting for an assessment and review requests up nearly six-fold in a single year, the case for this Bill was overwhelming,” Dr Webster said.

“Despite all of that evidence, and despite the Greens, David Pocock and One Nation standing with us, Labor chose to vote against restoring basic human judgement to aged care assessments.”

Dr Webster said the Albanese Government’s sudden announcement that IAT decisions could now be changed in "extenuating circumstances" was proof the Prime Minister always follows and never leads, only acting when forced.

“This isn't the first time we've had to drag the Government to act. It follows the Coalition securing the release of 20,000 additional home care packages and the reclassification of showering, wound dressing and continence care as clinical support,” Dr Webster said.

“Older Australians don't need more tinkering around the edges. They need a Government willing to fight for them and their families, not one that only moves when the politics gets too hot.

“The Coalition urges the Government to stop stalling, bring our Bill on for a vote in the House and give older Australians the certainty they deserve.

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