Inside Ageing

Presented by Pride Aged Living in partnership with Inside Ageing Eleven months into the new Aged Care Act, most providers have their policies in place. Quite a few have changed their systems and tools. Fewer have changed how the business runs underneath them. The gap shows in the numbers. Home care utilisation has fallen from ~85% to ~76% since December, with some providers closer to 50%.

Canberra-based computer vision company Seeing Machines has launched a new Physical AI Platform designed to give humanoid robots and industrial automation systems greater awareness of people and their surroundings. The platform extends the company's Human-Centred AI approach, developed through more than 25 years of research and AI innovation in human-machine interaction.

Metropolitan aged care occupancy has pushed above 94% for the first time in more than a decade, despite a sharp drop in new permanent admissions, as providers also moved to lift accommodation prices at a record pace. The latest Mirus Australia Industry Analysis, covering July 2026 data, shows national occupancy rose for a sixth consecutive month to 93.54%, up 0.28 percentage points on June. But the metropolitan result was the standout, with MM1 occupancy reaching 94.01%.

HammondCare will partner with the University of Canberra to research and evaluate a new small household dementia care model as part of a planned 90-bed residential care village in Canberra. The University's Centre for Ageing Research and Translation (CARAT) has been appointed as HammondCare's research partner for the development of the HammondCare Curtin dementia care village, following the signing of an updated Memorandum of Understanding between the organisations.

The 2026 Future of Ageing Awards finalists have been announced, featuring an impressive lineup of solutions, aged care providers and individuals leading change across the care sector at this critical time. Now in its eighth year, the awards continue to recognise and celebrate the great work being done by many, including follow-up stories on all winners and highly commended that remain an important part of the program's purpose. Read more about the 2025 winners and highly commended here.

VMCH has officially launched sales for its $150 million St Francis retirement living community in East Ivanhoe, marking the latest expansion of the not-for-profit provider's premium retirement living portfolio in Melbourne's inner east. Located on Lower Heidelberg Road, opposite Ivanhoe Park, the development will feature 57 architect-designed apartments to meet the growing demand for high-quality retirement housing in established suburban communities.

Western Australian aged care and disability provider Brightwater Care Group has secured almost $1 million in Lotterywest funding to develop Western Australia's first purpose-built residential home for people living with young-onset dementia and trial humanoid companion robots designed to reduce social isolation.

The government has appointed experienced public sector leader Kate Pope PSM as acting Inspector-General of Aged Care, following the departure of Natalie Siegel-Brown at the end of July. Ms Pope commenced in the role on 1 August 2026 and will lead the independent office while the government undertakes the recruitment process for a permanent Inspector-General.

Australia's home care providers have recorded a signficant decline in operating margins under the new Support at Home program, with the first full quarter of operation revealing widespread pressure on provider viability despite significant increases in service pricing.

Partner content: This case study was produced in collaboration with SilVR Adventures to showcase innovative approaches to person-centred engagement in aged care. SilVR Adventures is a previous recipient of a Future of Ageing Award - a program run by this publication. Across Australia's aged care sector, providers are searching for practical ways to deliver more personalised care while engaging residents who have become increasingly isolated.