2025 Election Platform
Older Western Australians are a significant and growing part of our community, and their voices cannot be ignored.
Currently, more than 450,000 West Australians are aged over 65 – accounting for 1 in every 4 voters (25%).
For over 65 years, COTA WA has been the voice of older Western Australians, representing their interests and advocating for their rights. As a not-for-profit membership organisation, COTA WA exists solely and independently to represent the needs of older people. We represent the diverse perspectives of seniors, advocating for policies that support them in living well, with dignity and independence.
It is vital that the next Western Australian Government ensures that the policies it enacts reflect the needs and aspirations of seniors across the state as well as recognising their value to Western Australian society. This means listening to the voices of the over 65s and ensuring they can fully participate.
To support WA’s older citizens, COTA WA presents the following key election funding requests for the 2025 Western Australian Government Elections:
LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS
1.HOUSING
1.1. Waive stamp duty for people aged over 65
1.2. Incorporate Silver Housing Standards into the WA Building Code
1.3. Expand the supply of affordable housing
2.HEALTH/FITNESS
2.1. Introduce a $150 “FitforLife” Voucher for seniors, modelled on the WA KidSport initiative
2.2. Fund a “Preparing for the Unexpected” Program to facilitate supporting seniors with a likelihood of hospitalisation due to complex health issues or frailty
2.3. Fund a falls prevention program (“Don’t let us Fall”), building on the successful Strength for Life initiative
3.CORE FUNDING FOR COTA WA
3.1. Provide ongoing $250,000 per annum to COTA WA to continue its 65 years of advocacy for older Western Australians
1.0 HOUSING
Housing for seniors
To address the housing challenges faced by older Western Australians, COTA WA calls for urgent reforms to better meet their needs.
Many older people find it difficult to downsize into housing that is more appropriate for their stage of life due to financial barriers. One significant obstacle is stamp duty, which adds substantial costs when selling a primary residence. COTA WA is urging the Western Australian Government to waive stamp duty for seniors over 65, enabling them to move into homes that better suit their needs without being financially penalised. Additionally, local Councils should be encouraged to modify planning laws to enable the development of more age-appropriate housing to support downsizing, allowing seniors to stay within their familiar communities.
As part of the Building Better Home Alliance, COTA WA also calls for the inclusion of the Silver Housing Standards into the WA Building Code, ensuring new homes are designed to support older people to age comfortably and independently.
Housing affordability remains a pressing issue, with around 20% of older Western Australians still renting or managing a mortgage. Many of these people are on fixed incomes, leaving them particularly vulnerable to cost-of-living pressures. COTA WA calls on the WA Government to increase the availability of affordable housing specifically for older people through government-supported initiatives. Expanding the supply of housing for seniors is crucial to ensuring that all older Western Australians, regardless of their financial situation, have access to stable, affordable accommodation that allows them to live with dignity and security.
These reforms are essential to ensuring that the housing needs of older people are met now and into the future, reducing financial stress and promoting independence.
2.0 HEALTH AND QUALITY OF LIFE
$150 ‘FitforLife Voucher Program’
It is important that older people continue to exercise and undertake strength training as they age. The benefits are well known and help significantly in reducing the risk of health problems, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, bone and joint problems, heart disease and some cancers as well as the risk of falls and injuries.
The West Australian Government has proactively invested in child health and fitness through the WA KidSport initiative.
A similar investment for older West Australians will assist them to live better lives and reduce the pressure on health services in the State.
COTA WA proposes the introduction of the $150 ‘FitforLife Voucher Program’. This program would provide eligible WA Seniors Card holders with a $150 voucher to help cover the cost of fitness or health club memberships. An investment of $10 million dollars would see approximately 20% of our 380,000 card holders benefit from better health and fitness.
The goal is to address cost of living pressures for older Western Australians while promoting healthy ageing by encouraging older Western Australians to participate in physical activities, thereby reducing their future healthcare needs while fostering community engagement.
This voucher program would link in very well with:
- The “An Age-Friendly WA: State Seniors Strategy 2023–2033“ which outlines its purpose is to support older Western Australians by promoting health and well-being, combat ageism, and enhance services for seniors.
- Age-Friendly Communities Grants – offering a direct solution to help older people get out and connect with community clubs and activities
- CHSP—Commonwealth Home Support Program— OT, and restorative services.
- HCP—Home Care Package Program—Therapy at Home Services is designed for and runs an 8-week therapy program individualised to the client’s needs. The program includes cognition, meal preparation, fall prevention, transfer training, self-care tasks, and mobility scooter training.
IHP - Interim Hospital Packages
STRC - Short-Term Restorative Care
TCP - Transition Care Program
DVA – Department of Veteran Affairs– DVA is only available to eligible clients, but health care services are available to all eligible senior Australians, including veterans. HCP recipients can still receive some services under DVA if the services aren’t duplicated under both funding sources. HCP becomes the primary source of care for veterans and war widows/widowers.
*All currently funded by the Government
Case Study: Audrey’s Story
Audrey, a 75-year-old woman, is prediabetic and has a family history of osteoporosis. With her FitforLife Voucher, Audrey was able to join the Melville Strength for Life program, paying for her initial assessment and six months of weekly classes. These progressive classes focus on building strength, balance, coordination, and endurance, helping Audrey improve her overall health and potentially delaying the onset of more serious health issues.
This initiative will not only improve the health and wellbeing of seniors like Audrey but also reduce pressure on the healthcare system by preventing the onset of chronic conditions through regular physical activity.
HYPERLINK “https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/lifematters/”‘Preparing for the Unexpected Program’
Since age is a common risk factor for many illnesses, and as life expectancy in Australia continues to increase, more pressure will be placed on the health-care and aged-care systems to manage and treat people living with chronic conditions. In 2020–21, there were 19,600 hospitalisations for older people waiting for residential aged care (Productivity Commission 2023). Almost 1 in 10 (9.8%) of these ‘aged care type’ patients waited 35 days or longer in hospital, suggesting that barriers are preventing the smooth transition of patients between hospital and aged care. 1
These problems are clearly playing out in WA and action needs to be taken to identify older people at high risk of hospitalisation due to chronic conditions and to provide support that will assist not only the older person but also the state health system,
COTA WA seeks $3.6 million in funding to launch a trial of the ‘Preparing for the Unexpected Program’, which will work with hospitals and healthcare providers across Western Australia to identify older people at high risk of hospitalisation due to falls or chronic illnesses. This program aims to proactively support these individuals, helping them prepare for potential hospitalisation and facilitating smoother transitions from hospital to home or other care settings. COTA WA will work in partnership with WA Health, the Western Australian Primary Health Alliance, GPs, Health Professionals, Pharmacy and other community and aged care organisations to ensure we build on the work already undertaken in this area and the ensure a robust service deliver model.
Key Features of the Program:
- Direct psychosocial and practical support for seniors identified as being likely to require hospitalisation within the next 150 days due to frailty or complex health conditions.
- Discussions with family members to plan for aged care needs in advance, avoiding crisis-driven decisions when the individual is hospitalised.
- Distribution of the COTA ‘RED GO BAG’, a resource containing essential health information (e.g., medications, treatment plans, emergency contacts, end-of-life wishes) to assist healthcare providers during emergencies.
This program will not only reduce unnecessary hospitalisations but also empower older people and their families to make informed choices about their care, helping prevent bottlenecks in the hospital system.
As older Australians’ needs are becoming more complex, even in their early to mid-60s, the importance of social interaction, community engagement, and physical movement is paramount to keeping them independent, happy and confident as they age in their homes. This is particularly important if they have no dependants or other support networks.
Case Study: Jim’s Story
Jim is an 83-year-old man living independently in his own home in Bunbury. Recently, his GP expressed concerns about his increasing frailty and the likelihood that he might need hospitalisation in the near future due to complications from his chronic heart condition and diabetes. Jim was referred to the Preparing for the Unexpected Program, which provided him with psychosocial support and practical advice on preparing for potential hospitalisation.
Through the program, Jim and his daughter were able to discuss his care options in case of hospitalisation and what would be needed for him to return home. The program helped Jim prepare his COTA RED GO BAG, containing up-to-date information on his medications, health conditions, emergency contacts, and care preferences. This ensured that in case of an emergency, Jim would have all the necessary information ready for healthcare providers, reducing stress for both him and his family. Additionally, Jim and his daughter discussed his transition care options with a COTA WA advisor, ensuring that decisions about his care needs could be made in advance, rather than during a crisis. This included identifying a number of aged care services that Jim liked, and looking at Jim’s finances so he could take the important steps to be prepared for any increased care needs.
Jim now feels better prepared for any potential health complications, knowing that his care plan is in place and his family is aware of his wishes. This proactive support may prevent unnecessary hospital stays and ensure he receives appropriate care as soon as it’s needed.
‘Don’t Let Us Fall’ Program
Falls are one of the leading causes of hospitalisation among older people, often resulting in long-term health complications. In WA, falls account for 24% of injury hospitalisations and 13% of ED visits due to injury2.
COTA WA proposes a falls prevention program called ‘Don’t Let Us Fall’, building on the existing Strength for Life initiative, which operates across 44 locations in WA and serves over 5,500 people aged 65 and over. Government funding would be required to extend this program which would focus on preventing falls through tailored exercise and strength-building classes designed to improve balance, coordination, and muscle strength. By expanding this proven model, the ‘Don’t Let Us Fall’ program will aim to reduce falls and their associated healthcare costs, contributing to the overall health and independence of older Western Australians.
Through an investment of $950,000 in the first year, COTA WA with Injury Matters would work to train and implement sites across WA, supporting as many as 5,000 older Western Australians who are currently at ‘High Risk’ of falling in the next 12 months.
Case Study: Mary’s Story
Mary, a 72-year-old woman living in Mandurah, experienced a serious fall last year, which led to a prolonged hospital stay and months of rehabilitation. Since then, she has felt increasingly anxious about the possibility of falling again and has become more socially isolated as a result. Mary was referred to the ‘Don’t Let Us Fall’ Program, part of COTA WA’s Strength for Life initiative, which provides tailored strength and balance classes to help prevent falls in older people.
With the support of her GP and the program facilitators, Mary joined a local Strength for Life class, which focuses on improving balance, coordination, and muscle strength. Over the course of six months, Mary’s confidence grew as she participated in regular sessions that taught her how to move safely and avoid situations that might lead to falls. The program also provided Mary with tools for improving her home environment to reduce fall risks, such as removing trip hazards and improving lighting.
Since participating in the program, Mary has not only regained her physical strength but also her sense of independence. She no longer fears falling and has even begun socialising more with friends, taking short walks to her local café. By participating in the ‘Don’t Let Us Fall’ program, Mary has reduced her risk of future falls, improved her quality of life, and avoided further hospitalisation.
3.0 CORE FUNDING FOR COTA WA
‘A Voice for Western Australia’
COTA WA has provided a voice for older Western Australians for over 65 years, advocating on their behalf and ensuring their needs are represented across all levels of government. As a uniquely WA advocacy organisation established under our Objects, COTA WA is the only membership organisation dedicated to representing the interests of older Western Australians across the full breadth of systems and services impacting their lives and the lives of all Western Australians.
There are currently no government programs in Western Australia that fund an organisation capable of engaging across the whole of government and community to address the needs of older people. Only two decades ago, the WA Government recognised the importance of this work through a dedicated Department for Seniors. Today, this broad, systemic focus has been lost, leaving a significant gap that only COTA WA is positioned to fill.
COTA WA uniquely works across WA in health, aged care, social services, communities, transport, infrastructure, and planning. We provide the independent, system-wide advocacy needed to represent the voices and lived experiences of older Western Australians. Without COTA WA, the state risks losing 65 years of history and expertise that have supported government and older people to make WA a great place to live for seniors.
If COTA WA is forced to close, older Western Australians will lose their independent advocate capable of addressing complex issues that span multiple systems. With core funding of $250,000 per year, COTA WA will represent and amplify the voices of older people on critical issues, such as:
- Improving equitable access to healthcare, transport, and essential services.
- Advocating for older people on systemic changes to reduce cost-of-living pressures.
- Partnering with local governments, industry, and community organisations to enhance initiatives that benefit seniors.
- Providing independent advice on pressing matters such as voluntary assisted dying, health and hospital reforms, aged care, and loneliness (noting a recent COTA NSW Report that 60% of older people are ‘lonely’, leading to increased health burden and a shorter lifespan).
- Build capacity and understanding with businesses and organisations across WA to better consider and support older Western Australians.
As WA’s population continues to age—with one in five people expected to be over 65 in the next 20 years—the need for genuine, independent advocacy has never been more urgent. COTA WA has always been funded by the Western Australia Government to deliver this mission.
We call on the next Western Australian Government to invest $250,000 in ongoing core funding to ensure that COTA WA remains the trusted and independent voice for over 450,000 older Western Australians. This funding will enable us to continue driving systemic change, supporting quality service delivery, and advocating for policies that make WA a more inclusive, age-friendly state. Without this support, Western Australia will become the only state or territory in the nation without an effective, independent local voice for older people, leaving their needs unrepresented at a state and national level.
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