Seniors rights – info & services

Human rights and older people

This information sheet is published by the Australian Human Rights Commission and talks about some of the human rights issues relevant to older people in Australia. It also highlights how a federal Human Rights Act could help deal with these issues. Some of the major human rights problems faced by older people in Australia include:

• workplace discrimination – older people may face prejudice when applying for jobs, seeking promotions, accessing training or may be harassed in the workplace
• balancing paid work with caring responsibilities – older people often care for adult children, grandchildren, spouses and/or elderly parents
• access to appropriate and adequate aged care facilities and health care
• abuse – including financial, physical and psychological abuse of elderly people
• homelessness, poor living standards and dependency on social security payments
• barriers in accessing government services and other opportunities to participate in community/public life.

Seniors and Disability Rights Service

Advocacy and support for seniors, people with disabilities and their representatives is provided by Darwin Community Legal Services. Based in Darwin, the services are provided across the Top End of the Northern Territory. 

Read more about the service here.