Australia is experiencing a demographic shift with life expectancy 25 years longer than it was a century ago. We are seeing an increase in the size of the older population in Australia as a result.This lengthened life expectancy is to be celebrated. But it comes with challenges, with a substantial impact on Australia’s health system and the aged care sector.

In April 2012, the federal government released its aged care reform agenda. This was in response to the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into aged care services in Australia. This position paper outlines a human rights approach for the implementation of the aged care reforms. This approach can provide a framework to guide decision-making, encourage the collection of disaggregated data to inform policy decisions and promote age sensitive programmes.