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Australia has unveiled its inaugural Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy, emphasising innovation and the transformative power of data and digital technologies to enhance care and well-being for Australia’s elderly population. This strategy aims to preserve personal choice and leverage technology to make in-person and face-to-face services more accessible and efficient.
A key component of the strategy is the improved utilisation of aged care data, which will benefit workers and service providers by reducing administrative burdens. This reduction in paperwork will allow workers to dedicate more time to direct, person-centred care for older Australians. In addition to immediate solutions, the strategy outlines the development of foundational data and digital frameworks, such as artificial intelligence (AI) systems tailored for aged care. These advancements are designed to protect and secure privacy while enhancing service delivery.
The Strategy aims to achieve four outcomes:
- Assist older adults and their support systems in managing and participating in their care.
- Digitally empower aged care workers and professionals to offer higher quality, more connected care.
- Facilitate data sharing and reuse to create a sustainable, continuously improving aged care system.
- Establish modern data and digital foundations for a collaborative, standards-based care system.
It estimates saving up to one-third of administrative time by integrating digital technology, enhancing workforce digital skills, and introducing new data-sharing policies.
A detailed action plan accompanies the strategy, offering insights into its implementation. This plan will be regularly updated with progress reports and information on new data and digital improvement activities. The Albanese Government will collaborate with state and territory health departments and other Commonwealth agencies to better integrate aged care with health and other sectors, including disability support and veterans’ care.
The Minister for Aged Care stressed the centrality of digital reform in achieving the government’s aged care objectives. She highlighted that the Digital Strategy aims to boost the digital health literacy of older individuals, thereby granting them greater choice and independence as they age. The Minister noted that developing the best aged-care system for Australia’s older population meant welcoming innovation and current technologies to enable the restoration of dignity to aged care.
The strategy’s vision encompasses both immediate and long-term goals. In the short term, it seeks to enhance the efficiency and accessibility of care services through technology. In the long term, it aims to establish robust digital and data infrastructures, ensuring that the aged care sector remains adaptive and resilient. By fostering innovation and digital integration, the strategy aspires to create a more responsive and dignified aged care system.
Overall, the government’s Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy represents a forward-thinking approach to improving aged care through digital transformation, aiming to enhance the quality of care and support for older Australians while maintaining their autonomy and dignity.
Australia recognises that health technologies are integral to nearly every aspect of healthcare. Effectively utilising digital information and modern communication technologies is essential to the future of its health system. Australia’s Department of Health and Aged Care formulates policies and programmes to promote the development and adoption of health technologies and digital health capabilities. They are transforming aged care with a vision to deliver the highest quality person-centred care for older people, wherever and whenever they need it. Additionally, they support research to ensure that data and technology are used safely and effectively for patients, consumers, and healthcare professionals.
Today, more older Australians are accessing care than ever before. Valued at AU$ 26.8 billion, Australia’s aged care sector is expected to see revenue growth of 5.5% annually over the next five years, reaching 2027. By 2030-31, aged care is projected to account for 5% of total government spending.
