Aged Care Reform, Integration, and Innovation in Focus at National Conference

Adelaide PHN's Aged Care Project Officer Lisa Filipenko attended the Ageing Australia National Conference on the Gold Coast from 30 September to 2 October, which brought together more than 2,300 delegates from across the country to discuss reforms, innovation and the future of ageing services.

Across three days of plenaries and workshops, several themes stood out:

• Stronger health-aged care integration – National examples of cross-sector models highlighted practical ways to reduce siloes and improve outcomes, echoing Adelaide PHN's role in building connections between general practice, primary care, and aged care providers.
• Digital capability and innovation – From AI to interoperable systems, the InnovAGEING Hub demonstrated how technology can transform care, but also underscored the need for support so providers don't get left behind.
• Workforce pressures – A recurring theme was the urgency to adapt recruitment and retention strategies, with international workforce solutions and new role flexibility offering possible pathways forward.
• Ageing in place – New approaches to home care and palliative pathways reinforced the importance of enabling people to remain at home with the right supports — a clear priority for Adelaide PHN.
• Preparing for legislative change – Sessions on the upcoming Aged Care Act made it clear that providers will need help navigating compliance, contracts, and governance responsibilities.

Lisa noted that these themes directly align with Adelaide PHN's priorities, particularly around building stronger interfaces between primary care and aged care, enabling digital capability, and supporting providers through sector reforms.

The conference reinforced that while reforms are challenging, they also present a significant opportunity to reshape aged care in ways that better meet the needs of older South Australians.