Story perspectives

Investigation Launched into Controversial Home Support Funding Tool

4/15/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has implemented the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) to determine home support funding for older Australians.
Critics say the IAT reduces assessors to data-entry roles and lowers funding for those with greater needs.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman has opened an investigation and can recommend improvements.
Advocates including Mark Aitken criticize the algorithm.
Greens senator Penny Allman-Payne says the IAT prioritizes savings over older Australians’ well-being.

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Story summary

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has implemented the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) to determine home support funding for older Australians.
Critics say the IAT reduces assessors to data-entry roles and lowers funding for those with greater needs.
The Commonwealth Ombudsman has opened an investigation and can recommend improvements.
Advocates including Mark Aitken criticize the algorithm.
Greens senator Penny Allman-Payne says the IAT prioritizes savings over older Australians’ well-being.