Friday 22nd August 2025

MEDIA RELEASE

The National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) Annual Summit for 2025, held on Tuesday 12 August, brought together over 100 leading voices from academia, government, advocacy, industry and community sectors across Australia - united by a vision for world where older people are respected, included and have the opportunity to age well.

This year’s theme, “Advantage Age: The Value of Older People in the Workforce” underscored the economic, sustainability and societal benefits of recruiting, retaining and empowering workers as they age. From powerful keynotes through to thought-provoking panel discussions, the Summit tackled ageism, celebrated the value of lived experience and issued an urgent call for Australia to embrace age-inclusive, multigenerational workplaces.

Key highlights from the event included:

• Professor Roger Wilkins, Deputy Director of the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research at The University of Melbourne and Co-Director of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey Project, unveiling the latest evidence in employment participation, job types, earnings, retirement age and economic wellbeing among older Australians.
• Professor Barney Glover AO, Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), emphasising the critical role older workers play in supporting the Australian Labour Market and revealing the main sectors where the ageing workforce presents retention and succession planning challenges.
• Robert Fitzgerald AM, Age Discrimination Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission, encouraging collaborative action in building awareness about ageism in Australian workplaces and establishing multigenerational workforce environments that respect and value older workers.
• Patricia Sparrow, CEO of Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia, challenging policymakers and employers to move beyond tokenism and embed age-inclusive practices into core business strategies.
• Catherine Hunter, CEO of Diversity Council Australia (DCA), drawing on early insights from the DCA’s 2025–2026 Inclusion@Work Index to accentuate the importance of an intersectional approach to genuine age inclusion and dismantling of systemic barriers to ensure that people of all ages can thrive, contribute and progress in their careers.
• Chris Grice, CEO of National Seniors Australia, promoting the importance and benefits of knowledge, wisdom, and insight gained during a lifetime of experience for Australian workplaces.
• Anne Livingstone, Executive Director of Global Community Resourcing, showcasing Australia’s participation in the development of international standards ISO/TC 314 Ageing Societies which aim to create more age-inclusive, resilient environments and promote the economic and workforce participation of older people.
• Rezza Moieni, Chief Technology Officer at Diversity Atlas, delivering a provocative talk on the dual role of artificial intelligence (AI) in perpetuating and combating ageism through exposing and eliminating age bias in job ads and how ethical oversight can transform AI into a tool for inclusion.

The day concluded with a dynamic panel discussion debating the question, “Is Ageism the Last Acceptable Workplace Bias?”. Facilitated by NARI Executive Director Professor Tracy Comans, and featuring experts from research, health, policy, manufacturing, tourism, local government and those with lived experience, the panel unpacked the myths and realities of older people in the workforce before reimagining a future where age is seen not as a liability - but as a strength.

“Population ageing and increasing life expectancy are creating an environment where later retirement is desirable from both an individual and community perspective.”
Professor Roger Wilkins, Deputy Director of the Melbourne Institute of Applied Economic and Social Research at The University of Melbourne and Co-Director of the HILDA Survey Project

“Too much talk and too little action has characterised this issue. We must increase older worker participation to boost national productivity and ensure every worker is respected. This requires a strong framework of cooperation between government, business, social enterprises and unions.”
Robert Fitzgerald AM, Age-Discrimination Commissioner

“At every stage of life, whether we’re benefiting from experience being shared or benefiting from sharing experience – it counts”
Chris Grice, CEO National Seniors Australia

“Older Australians are not just participants in our workforce—they are leaders, mentors, and innovators. “This summit is a call to action for employers, policymakers and communities to recognise the immense value that older people bring to the workforce and build systems that create inclusive, age-friendly workplaces.”
Professor Tracy Comans, Executive Director NARI

For more information, visit www.nari.net.au or contact NARI at [email protected]

- ENDS -

Media Contact:

Amy Parker
Senior Manager Government Relations and Strategic Communications, National Ageing Research Institute (NARI)
[email protected]

Available for Comment:

Professor Tracy Comans
Executive Director National Ageing Research Institute (NARI)
[email protected]