Unreasonable and unfair: damning investigation criticises Labor’s algorithm-based tool for aged care
Summary
A Commonwealth Ombudsman investigation found that Australia’s aged-care assessment algorithm can produce clinically incorrect decisions that assessors cannot override under current law. The report also criticized the tool’s lack of transparency and oversight, and said public consultation and trials did not meaningfully cover the version that was introduced.Key Facts
- The Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) helps determine the level of care older Australians can receive.
- The Ombudsman found that assessors cannot change an algorithmic funding recommendation, even when it is clinically inappropriate.
- The report said the public cannot meaningfully see how the algorithm turns assessment information into outcomes.
- The Ombudsman said legislation should be changed to let assessors correct clinically incorrect algorithm decisions.
- The investigation found that consultation and trials cited as support for the system related to earlier versions of the tool and legislation.
- The department did not enforce contractual quality controls or verify whether assessors had required clinical qualifications, the report found.
- Department staff raised concerns before rollout about inadequate ways for people to seek review of incorrect decisions.
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