An age-friendly Queensland

The Queensland Government, through the Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety, leads a whole-of-government approach to ensure older people are valued, respected and empowered to lead healthy, engaged and productive lives. Our objective is to create age-friendly communities where people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities can participate, are included and have opportunities to thrive.

Queensland is a great place to live and how we age is changing. It is estimated that by 2053, more than one in five Queenslanders will be 65 years or older (21.7 per cent or 1.7 million people). Queenslanders are living longer, are healthier and are more independent and active than ever.

Older Queenslanders are working beyond the traditional retirement age of 65 years, continuing to contribute valuable life experience and skills to our workplaces. They are digitally connected. They are driving longer, maintaining and building social connections with family and friends. They are carers of grandchildren and others, and are more likely than any other age group to volunteer. They are keen participants in various community sporting, recreational and leisure activities and the keepers of important knowledge about their cultural traditions and their communities.

Older Queenslanders make a significant contribution in their communities every day.

In August 2024, the Queensland Government released An Age-friendly Queensland: The Queensland Seniors Strategy 2024-29 affirming our commitment to creating age-friendly communities where older Queenslanders are:

• Connected to their communities, services and people that matter to them
• Cared for and supported by world class frontline services
• Celebrated for the contribution they make to the Queensland lifestyle through their roles as carers, workers, volunteers and community leaders.

The Queensland Government recognises the importance of strong partnerships and collaborations. The Strategy reflects the views of more than 16,000 older Queenslanders across the state, who were engaged in a variety of ways including a series of state-wide Expo events and via an online survey.

The Strategy is supported by 51 actions that include whole-of-government delivery and investment aimed at enhancing the wellbeing and active participation of older Queenslanders, alongside fostering and age-friendly community. This includes:

• Cost-of-living support through concessions, rebates and discounts on a range of goods and services
• Strengthening community safety as well as safety in the home
• Investing in services to prevent and respond to abuse of older people and social isolation
• Improved transport affordability to help seniors stay connected with their family, friends and communities
• Challenging ageism and negative stereotypes about getting older, including through Seniors Month and supporting a community grants program.

The Strategy and Action Plan follow the ‘age-friendly community’ model developed by the WHO and the eight age-friendly domains.

As an Affiliate Member of the WHO Global Network for Age-friendly Cities and Communities, the Queensland Government continues to affirm its ongoing commitment to move towards an age-friendly approach across Queensland.