What we do
UARC focuses on issues that will improve the lives of older Australians. We actively engage with industry, government and other stakeholders to ensure our research has lasting impact.
Key research themes
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Business and strategy
This theme includes research on organisational strategy and performance, consumer access, financial viability and economics.
As part of this research, we produce the highly regarded Australia's Aged Care Sector Report to provide independent analysis about the most pressing issues and reforms across Australia’s aged care sector. The report influences and informs government policy development for the aged care sector, and is used by the sector itself to continually improve.
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Law, regulation and ethics
Designing sound legislative and regulatory frameworks to protect older people is a prime focus of this theme.
Current research in this area includes developing a better approach for people who are ageing solo and need help with decision-making, rather than having to rely on disengaged family members or state-appointed guardians.
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Health and wellbeing
Inclusivity, safety and the quality of care for older people and their carers is a key focus in this area.
Under this theme, a prototype of an innovative new digital decision-making tool is being developed for older Australians and their carers. Co-designed with consumers, industry representatives, policy makers and care organisations, it fills an enormous gap in the sector by providing a much-needed personalised and holistic guide for decisions related to aged care services, financial, health, legal, social and care considerations.
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Innovation and design
Assisted living technologies that help both in the home and residential care, and design for older people with dementia are some of the priorities under this research theme.
Current research includes an assessment of how care for older people at home is affected by factors such as housing type, design, tenure and condition. Such research will help Australia’s capacity to deliver quality home care and support a sustainable aged care workforce.
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Emerging technologies
Utilising state-of-the-art technologies such as artificial intelligence, sensors and biomedical devices, researchers in this area have developed practical solutions to improve the care and support of older people.
One innovation has been the BONEcheck app, which empowers men and women to self-assess their bone health and adopt suitable measures to mitigate their risk of fracture and mortality. It predicts the likelihood of fractures and its consequences, assesses skeletal age, and ascertains bone loss according to an individual’s risk profile, taking into account factors such as gender, age, bone mineral density, prior fracture history, fall history, pre-existing medical conditions, and genetic makeup.
Our impact
UARC is making many significant inroads in the challenges facing aged care. Our researchers are actively engaged with senior government officials, influencing future policy directions and legislative framework, and providing advice about the sector.
Results-driven, we are impacting the design of short, medium and long-term policy outcomes and legislation that enable socially, economically and environmentally sustainable aged care and support for older people in Australia.
The insights UARC shares with key policy makers have resulted in policy design changes being considered, discussed, and implemented by regulatory bodies. UARC’s research and findings have also been cited in reports by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the Productivity Commission, as well as being referenced in Senate and Parliament papers and debates.
In particular, in recent years UARC’s research has influenced:
- the design of the new Aged Care Act 2024 (Cth); and
- the aged care funding model design.
In addition, our innovative solutions, such as new digital applications for personalised, holistic care, are ensuring ageing people and their carers have the tools, ability and confidence to receive the best care possible.
Altogether, our ongoing impact has built our strong reputation for bringing together transdisciplinary research expertise to identify issues and find solutions to the complex problems that hinder the sustainability of the aged care sector in Australia.