AI in Australian Aged Care: A New Frontier

The Australian aged care sector is embracing artificial intelligence, from robot companions to behavior monitors, but questions around safety, privacy, and regulation remain unanswered.

A National Strategy Takes Shape

In July 2024, former Aged Care Minister Anika Wells launched Australia's first Aged Care and Digital Strategy, which includes a framework for AI. According to government statements, the strategy focuses on preserving choice and leveraging technology to make in-person services more accessible and efficient.

As part of a five-year plan, the Department of Health and Aged Care is assessing existing AI research, guidelines, and safety controls. The strategy includes a pilot program for up to 20 health sector professionals to test the potential of AI in providing better information.

According to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, AI is already used in healthcare settings to improve diagnoses, treatment, and service operations.

Current Applications of AI

According to Liana Donleavy from Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) , AI is currently used in Australian aged care settings to streamline frontline workflows, which she stated translates to workforce efficiency and allows staff to spend more time on direct care.

Typical uses of AI cited include:

• Digital scribes for documentation
• Multilingual communication supports
• Clinical assessment tools
• Systems paired with CCTV cameras or wearable devices to detect falls, elevated pain levels, or unusual changes in behavior and daily routines

Some larger AI providers have developed in-house platforms, while other companies have partnered with technology firms.

AI Companions and Social Engagement

"These robots supplement care provided by human staff and can help boost social engagement." — Tom Symondson, Ageing Australia

Tom Symondson, chief executive of Ageing Australia, stated that some providers are using AI-enabled robots to help older people who experience loneliness. He said these robots supplement care provided by human staff and can perform tasks such as checking on residents while human staff are occupied with other duties.

Two specific robot companions have been identified as being used in Australia:

• Abi: Developed by Australian tech start-up Andromeda, Abi is fluent in 90 languages, can recognize faces, remember conversations, and participate in activities such as singing or dancing.

• Daisy: Created by Singapore's Dex-Lab in partnership with the Australian Nursing Home Foundation, Daisy is a "humanoid wellness facilitator" designed specifically for older Australians living with dementia. It can lead group exercises, play music, and speak languages including Mandarin and Cantonese.

The Scale of Loneliness

According to a 2023 State of the Nation report by Ending Loneliness Together, which surveyed over 4,000 Australians:

• At least 39% of Australians aged over 65 reported feeling lonely
• 16% of that group reported experiencing loneliness often or always
• Eight in ten Australians aged over 65 reported feeling socially isolated

According to 2024 figures from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, more than 1.35 million Australians accessed some level of aged care.

Concerns and Regulatory Debate

Ethical and Safety Concerns

The office of Australia's eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant has expressed concerns about the ethics of unregulated AI use and potential negative behavioral changes. The eSafety office flagged concerns about AI systems simulating human-like relationships, including chatbots, robots, and apps.

Specific risks cited include:

• Harmful content
• Manipulation
• Over-reliance on systems for emotional support
• Social engineering (defined by the Australian Signals Directorate as attempts by malicious actors to direct individuals into performing specific actions)

The office has called for providers to adopt a Safety by Design approach with strong safeguards, transparency measures, and user protections. The eSafety office also acknowledged that AI could help older Australians improve digital skills and access services such as telehealth or banking.

Calls for Regulation

Michelle Lim, chair of Ending Loneliness Together, warned of risks from AI developed by technology companies without aged care experience. She expressed concern that AI algorithms are typically developed by engineers rather than psychologists or healthcare workers, and called for greater regulation.

Pei-Chun Ko, a sociologist from Monash University, noted that there is limited existing research proving whether AI can have a positive, lasting impact on reducing loneliness. She also raised concerns that providing AI platforms with personal information stored by technology companies rather than health professionals increases risks for older Australians.

Industry Perspectives on Regulation

Ms. Donleavy from ARIIA stated that aged care providers working with her organization prioritize safety when adopting AI. She said best practice guidelines and frameworks are needed, but noted that if regulations become too restrictive, implementation could become difficult. She added that low-risk applications supporting workforce efficiency and improving care quality should be considered.

Mr. Symondson suggested Australia could follow other nations with more widespread adoption of AI devices in aged care facilities, citing workforce crises as a driver for investment in countries such as Japan.

A Cautionary Note

"Technology in aged care should support humans, not replace them." — Professor Wendy Moyle, Griffith University

Professor Wendy Moyle, director of the social robotics laboratory at Queensland's Griffith University, stated that technology in aged care should support humans, not replace them. She noted that engineers often develop inventions without input from health professionals or end-users, citing an example of a lifting machine that users rejected due to its size and height.

University of Sydney researchers have argued that industry and government narratives of "technological rescue" can distract from structural problems and reinforce ageism. They stated that AI products are sometimes presented as solutions to a fundamentally broken system, which can obscure the need for broader reforms.

International Context

While some Southeast Asian nations and the United States have embraced AI technology in aged care more extensively, experimental use of AI-based devices in Australia is described by multiple sources as being in its early stages.