AAG Challenging Ageism SIG and

Every Age Counts Present:
Age as a Proxy

Rethinking service eligibility beyond age-based criteria

We plan to record this event and make that recording
available to all registrants subsequently
If you can't make it on the day we encourage you to register
anyway so that you receive that link

Access to the recording in our video library will be
restricted to AAG members and webinar registrants

Age is often used as a shortcut for decision-making in health and social services, limiting access to care and support. Age-based assumptions can shape pension entitlements, eligibility for disability supports, Home Care packages, and aged care services - reinforcing inequality and restricting choice.

This webinar will explore how age is used as a proxy in key service sectors such as housing, disability, and community care, and the consequences this has for equity. Attendees will hear from experts and those with lived experience about the impacts of age-based policies and learn strategies to challenge ageism and support fairer, more inclusive systems.  

Register for this event and:

• Understand how age is used as a proxy in policy.
  
• Explore impacts of age-based criteria on equity and access.
  
• Learn from those with lived experience about systemic consequences.
  
• Consider strategies to challenge ageism in service design.
  
• Evaluate pathways toward fairer, needs-based policy reform.
  

Hear from our speakers:  

Robert Fitzgerald AM
Age Discrimination Commissioner
Australian Human Rights Commission
Robert is a highly respected lawyer, human rights and social justice advocate, and a leading figure in public and social policy areas. He has extensive experience in promoting child and adult safeguarding responses to abuse. Mr Fitzgerald was the inaugural NSW Ageing and Disability Commissioner since 2019. He was previously an Australian Productivity Commissioner and conducted inquiries including into Australia’s Health Workforce, Care of Older Australians and The National Disability Agreement.

David Panter
Chief Executive, Minda Incorporated
Chair, Flinders Caring Institute External Strategic Advisory Committee
Originally a psychologist, David has held Chief Executive roles for more than three decades, leading reforms in SA’s public health system, transforming the aged care provider Eldercare Homes, and since 2022, heading Minda Incorporated. David has also chaired the SA Council of Social Service, served as a Director of the Australian Council of Social Service, and was appointed Adjunct Professor at Flinders University in 2024. His career reflects a deep commitment to human rights, diversity, and strengthening social services.



In addition to the above speakers there will be a presentation from Alison Rochford, a carer with lived experience (pictured above with her husband Rod).
"Rod Hale, my partner of 33 years, worked as an architect for the Government Architects Office for 45 years, designing high schools and public buildings. He was very active and loved cycling.  One day he was doing a regular 80km ride in Sydney and his back wheel flicked sideways and sent him over the handlebars, resulting in a traumatic brain injury and paralysis that changed his life.  At 69 he had to adjust to a life in bed or in a wheelchair. Our lives changed dramatically as Rod was no longer able to live at home and we had no access to NDIS support.  We have both tried to use this experience to make our lives rich and meaningful".

Session co-chaired by:

 
A/Prof Rachel Ambagtsheer
Research Fellow
Centre for Public Health, Equity and Human Flourishing (PHEHF)
Torrens University
Co-Convenor of the AAG Challenging Ageism Special Interest Group (SIG)
Rachel is a Research Fellow and Senior Lecturer in Health at Torrens University. She has more than 20 years’ experience working in the health field, as a researcher, planner and consultant to all levels of government and the private and not-for-profit sectors.

Dr Bethany Wilton-Harding
Research Fellow
College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
Flinders University
Co-Convenor of the AAG Challenging Ageism Special Interest Group (SIG)
Bethany is a research fellow in psychology at Flinders University. Her research interests include ageism, subjective ageing, and mental wellbeing in middle-aged and older adults.

Dr Marlene Krasovitsky
Marlene is a former consultant to the World Health Organisation's Global Campaign to Combat Ageism. Marlene has also consulted with HelpAge International to map ageism initiatives globally. Marlene is a Director and former Co-Chair of EveryAGE Counts, Australia's coalition-led campaign against ageism.
Previously, Marlene was the Director of Willing to Work, the National Inquiry into Employment Discrimination Against Older Australians and Australians with Disability with the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).
Marlene has worked in Commonwealth and State Governments and the not for profit sector in a range of executive, policy and operational roles as well as a number of major public inquiries including the Review into the Treatment of Women in the Australian Defence Force and the Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW.

In collaboration with: