Established in 1986, we are proud of what we have achieved and thankful to the dedicated team that has been part of our journey. We look forward to many more years of service.
This year Seniors Rights Service celebrates forty years of championing the rights and voices of older people in NSW.
Where it Began
Aged care has long played a critical role in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in the community – those unable to care for themselves or rely on informal support from family and friends. Its foundations can be traced to early forms of institutional care including the indoor relief services established in 1815 with the creation of the Benevolent Society of New South Wales.
Over time these systems have evolved to expand access, provide support to those in need, and introduce regulation aimed at ensuring appropriate standards of care. Despite these developments, the reality has often fallen short of expectations.
Access to legal support, specialised advocacy and targeted education remains essential. Without these safeguards there is no guarantee that aged care services will consistently deliver quality care, uphold the rights of individuals or properly recognise and support the workforce responsible for delivering that care.
Mid-century changes – The Development of Residential Aged Care
From the 1950s, residential aged care in New South Wales shifted significantly. As large hospitals moved away from providing long term care and focused instead on acute and specialised medical services the care of older people was increasingly delivered through nursing homes and ‘homes for the aged’ later known as hostels.
In 1962 the introduction of Commonwealth government subsidies for nursing homes led to rapid growth across the sector. This expansion, however, occurred within a largely under regulated environment. Alongside facilities operated by the State as well as church based and charitable organisations, a substantial number of privately run for profit homes emerged. As the for profit sector grew to become the largest provider, tensions often arose between financial pressures and the quality of care delivered. Funding and staffing levels were frequently inadequate to meet residents’ needs.
Although these facilities were formally regulated under New South Wales legislation originally designed for private hospitals, the quality and consistency of care varied widely. While Commonwealth funding supported the expansion of residential care it also contributed to the institutionalisation of long term care. Public awareness of the sector’s shortcomings was heightened periodically, particularly when cases of abuse and neglect were exposed through media reporting.
The 1980s – A Movement for Change
In the early 1980s, growing concern about the treatment of older people in care settings began to coalesce into a coordinated movement for reform. Under the banner of the Social Welfare Action Group (SWAG) a coalition of social workers, academics and student activists convened a major public conference at the University of Sydney in 1981 to draw attention to the systemic nature of abuse and neglect in aged care.
This momentum continued in March 1982 with a widely publicised ‘Abuse of the Elderly’ phone in delivered in partnership with the Combined Pensioners Association, Redfern Legal Centre and the Australian Consumers Association and supported by a small grant from the NSW Government. Over a single weekend more than 500 calls were received. The overwhelming majority reported serious concerns including neglect and various forms of abuse – physical, financial, sexual and emotional – across aged care facilities and boarding houses. These accounts were documented in the landmark report ‘Prisoners of Neglect’ published by SWAG.
Over the following three years sustained advocacy efforts called for meaningful reform. The Aged Care Coalition was established, bringing together seven key organisations to improve the quality of life for older people in supported accommodation. Through ongoing visits to facilities and follow-up on complaints the Coalition gathered further evidence which was presented to the Senate Inquiry on Nursing Homes and Private Hospitals and contributed to national policy debates. These efforts played a significant role in the gradual introduction of user rights protections into both state and later national legislation.
The work of the Coalition highlighted the clear need for a permanent, independent body dedicated to protecting the rights of older people in care. Further research published in the report ‘If Only I’d Known’ under the auspices of the Australian Consumers Association reinforced this need.
After sustained advocacy, funding was secured from both the NSW and Commonwealth governments to establish an independent advocacy service providing legal advice and community education. This marked the beginning of the Accommodation Rights Service (TARS) officially launched in March 1986 by the then NSW Minister for Community Services Frank Walker.
This century – a New Era of Advocacy
In late 2015, the organisation undertook a comprehensive rebrand to better reflect the full range of services it delivers. Following consultation with more than 70 stakeholders the name Seniors Rights Service was adopted to mark a clear and unified identity for the organisation’s work supporting older people – embedded in the rights of older people.
In 2017, after careful consideration of future needs and the organisation’s growing national influence a decision was made to transition from an incorporated association in New South Wales to a company limited by guarantee. This change strengthened governance and positioned the organisation for long term sustainability and impact.
That same year, the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) was established to bring together state and territory based organisations providing free, independent and confidential support to older people accessing Australian Government funded aged care services. Seniors Rights Service became the New South Wales member of OPAN and continues to play a key role in this national network. The organisation is also an accredited member of Community Legal Centres NSW.
Today – Continuing Our Work
Now in its 40th year, Seniors Rights Service continues to deliver aged care advocacy and legal services to older people across New South Wales. The organisation also provides rights based education to community groups and service providers throughout the state to build awareness and strengthen the protection of older people’s rights.
Seniors Rights Service remains focused on innovation and continuous improvement seeking new ways to uphold and advance the rights of older Australians while delivering best practice, rights-based services.
Through its networks and memberships, the organisation actively advocates to government for stronger protections and better outcomes for older people. This commitment extends beyond New South Wales to engagement at the national level and with the United Nations to support the development of a new international human rights convention for older persons.
