The Ageing in Australia Community Expectations Report 2026 showed Australians are more than twice as likely to trust aged care once they have direct experience of it, highlighting a major gap between perception and reality.
The report revealed that respondents with current or recent firsthand experience of aged care have high levels of trust and satisfaction, with 71 per cent of those who had personally used aged, and 63 per cent of those who cared for someone, were either very or somewhat satisfied with the care they received.
This aligns with other evidence such as the Residents’ Experience Survey carried out independently of the sector each year which showed 88 per cent of residents would recommend their home to others.
The report also showed that just 21 per cent of Australians would turn to the government for information about aged care, while nearly three quarters would go directly to providers.
The findings also showed around half of Australians over 50 are considering downsizing, yet only 37 per cent believe the government is doing enough to help.