Ombudsman Questions Fairness of Australia’s Automated Aged Care Assessment System
11 Nov 2026
Australia’s automated aged care assessment system is facing criticism following a Commonwealth Ombudsman investigation into its fairness, reliability and decision-making process.
The investigation, led by Commonwealth Ombudsman Iain Anderson, examined concerns about the Single Assessment System and its Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT).
Introduced on 1 November 2025, the system uses algorithms to determine an older person’s eligibility for aged care services, funding level and priority for support. These decisions are based on information collected by assessors.
However, the Ombudsman found that the system does not allow a human decision-maker to change its three main outcomes, even when the result may not be clinically appropriate.
The report questioned whether the system could deliver fair and consistent decisions. It also raised concerns about how clearly the automated process works and whether enough safeguards are in place.
Although the investigation did not examine the clinical accuracy of the algorithm, it identified problems with the design and development of the assessment tool. The Ombudsman said these issues raised concerns about the reliability of its results and recommended an independent clinical review.
Chair of RACGP Specific Interests Aged Care, Dr Anthony Marinucci, said older people often have complex health needs that cannot always be properly assessed through an algorithm.
He said frailty, cognitive decline and other care needs require an assessment process that gives appropriate importance to clinical judgement.
Dr Marinucci also warned that incorrect assessments could delay access to support, increase pressure on carers and lead to potentially avoidable hospital visits. GPs are often left managing the consequences when patients do not receive the support they need.
Before the report was released, the Federal Government announced an independent review of aged care classification and prioritisation assessments. It also introduced plans for an escalated review pathway for certain assessment decisions.
Dr Marinucci welcomed the additional review process but said it must provide timely and meaningful clinical oversight, including consideration of information from patients’ treating GPs.
The Ombudsman made 10 recommendations to the Government. These included allowing assessment delegates to replace automated decisions when appropriate, reviewing the legislation, improving complaint handling and strengthening oversight of assessment providers.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing said it takes the findings seriously and is committed to improving the system. It accepted or accepted in principle seven recommendations directed at the department.
In its response, the department explained that two separate algorithms are used to determine classification levels and priority categories.
The classification algorithm was refined using more than 200,000 assessments completed in 2024–25. The prioritisation algorithm was developed using data from 22,000 live trials in 2023 and later refined and validated using more than 100,000 completed assessments.
The department said the prioritisation process is designed to ensure older people with greater care needs receive support sooner.
The Government has also announced a rapid review of the prioritisation algorithm to identify immediate changes that could improve how older people's support needs are assessed.
Ombudsman Questions Fairness of Australia’s Automated Aged Care Assessment System
Source: Commonwealth Ombudsman – Automation and Oversight in Aged Care.