Australia introduces escalation pathway for aged care assessment algorithm

The Albanese government announced a new escalation pathway for complex cases where the Integrated Assessment Tool's funding decision does not match an older person's needs. Aged Care Minister Sam Rae said a clinical delegate within an assessment organisation can refer such cases to the Department Secretary, the so‑called System Governor, for a discretionary decision. Rae framed the change as ensuring fairness, noting that "the automated component is the application of the rules, and they have to be the same for everyone," while acknowledging many details of the process remain to be finalised.

The move follows widespread criticism of the tool, which automatically allocates care funding and was described by Rae as not using artificial intelligence: "There is no artificial intelligence in our aged care assessment system, and it is dishonest for any actor to pretend otherwise," he told parliament. More than 1,000 people have sought reviews, and the Older Persons Advocacy Network welcomed the added human oversight but called for clearer appeal pathways and consultation on the new mechanism.