In case you missed it, public transport across Victoria will be free from tomorrow, 31 March, through until 30 April. To learn more, head to: transport.vic.gov.au/news-and-res...

We've launched a new Aged Care Navigation Service pilot that provides free, personalised advice and recommendations to those struggling to find answers regarding aged care systems and services. Learn more and register for a phone call using the link below.

Starting off as the Old People's Welfare Council of Victoria in 1951, then becoming the Victorian Council on the Ageing in 1968, and finally the Council on the Ageing Victoria in 1991, we're incredibly proud to have been representing Victorians as they age for 75 years.

Join us for the launch of Addressing economic security gaps for older women in Victoria, a new report from COTA Victoria that brings together current evidence, lived experience perspectives, and sector insights to identify where the gaps are greatest and where action is most needed.

As financial pressures escalate, building an age‑inclusive emergency system is becomes increasingly essential. Our soon‑to‑be‑released "Age‑inclusive emergency preparedness guideline" will directly respond to these challenges. Keep an eye out!

"The [national plan addressing elder abuse] sets out a strong vision, but meaningful change will rely on coordinated action, and – most importantly – increased support and funding from government into services such as Seniors Rights Victoria,” said our CEO, Ben Rogers.

We're on the lookout for Seniors Rights Victoria's new Managing & Principal Lawyer! This role leads the day-to-day management and operations of Seniors Rights Victoria including ensuring a thriving, positive and collaborative team culture. Learn more and apply using the link below.

COTA Victoria is seeking up to 6 independent community members to join our Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) Advisory Group. We note that at least 50% of independent members should be active OM:NI group participants and/or representatives. Learn more and apply here: app.betterimpact.com/PublicOrgani...

The Department of Justice and Community Safety has proposed three options for remaking the VCAT fee Regulations. In our latest submission, COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria detail why we support support Option 3. Read it in full below.

It is with great regret that we inform our members, supporters, referrers, and clients that COTA Victoria’s Care Finder services will cease operation on 31 March 2026. Further information, and details of ongoing Care Finder providers that may be of assistance, can be found on our website.

Improving the visibility of elder abuse is critical to strengthening DFSV-related suicide prevention and ensuring that older people are not overlooked in policy, practice, and reform efforts. Read our latest publication using the link below.

COTA Conversations returns for a new year on Monday, 2 February with a special series that shines a spotlight on the well-deserving winners of the 2025 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards program. Learn more (and listen!) using the link below.

We're getting a (slight) reprieve from high temps at the moment, but it's always important to know how you can beat the heat, and deal with emergencies like bushfires. - Keep cool in hot summer temperatures: cotavic.org.au/info/physica... - Bushfire information: cotavic.org.au/info/energy/...

For close to 75 years, we have worked alongside older people to shape policies, services, and systems that support safety, dignity, inclusion, and quality of life. In 2024–25, our advocacy helped drive meaningful change for older Victorians. Learn more using the link below.

We hope you had a splendid holiday break! Our Seniors Rights Victoria Helpline will open once again from 10.00 am AEDT this morning. Learn more here: cotavic.org.au/news/cota-vi...

Are you an older Victorian passionate about issues impacting you and your peers, and wanting to share your experience with others? If so, then you'd be perfect for our new Lived Experience of Ageing Program, or #LEAP. Learn more and sign up to upcoming info sessions using the link below.

Did you know that COTA Victoria membership is FREE? As a COTA Victoria member, you’ll join a community of fellow citizens who care deeply about the rights of older Australians, and who share a vision of ageing as a time of possibility, opportunity, and influence. Learn more, and sign up below.

Thanks to everyone who attended our Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2025 earlier today. If you missed it, never fear -- you can watch the AGM in full and review documentation relevant to the meeting using the link below.

Our Strategic Plan 2025-2023 was today launched by our CEO Ben Rogers, part of our Annual General Meeting 2025. The plan details the reason we exist, the impact we're aiming for, and what we'll be focussing on within the next five years. Access the plan using the link below.

CALLING ALL MEMBERS! Our Annual General Meeting 2025 takes place next week on 20 November, both in-person and online. We encourage all of our members to attend! Learn more and register to attend using the link below.

The Commissioner for Residential Tenancies invites expressions of interest from people living in retirement villages across Victoria to join a new Residents Advisory Group. Learn more about the group, and apply here: www.rentingcommissioner.vic.gov.au/the-rental-s...

Our Education and Engagement Manager, Frankie Freeman, recently spoke with the Riverine Herald. Frankie offered advice on how to spot scams, and get help if you've fallen victim to one. Read the full article using the link below.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2025 UPDATE! Our Annual Report, financial statements, and AGM agenda are now available for download on our website. You can also use the link above to register to attend our AGM, which takes place on 20 Nov. We welcome and encourage all members to attend and participate!

The #VicSeniorsFestival kicks off today and runs all through October! We are thrilled to be connecting, celebrating, and creating with older Victorians throughout the state. We've got a number of events taking place both in-person and online; check out what's on offer using the link below.

To make it easier for people across our communities to participate, we’ve decided to move our "Older People Shaping Communities: Focus on Leadership" event from an in-person one to an online webinar. Registrations are now being taken via Zoom.

Our Annual Report 2024-2025 is now available for download and review. Access the report -- alongside a list of our current supporters, policy positions, and case studies -- on our website.

Our friends at COTA Australia & OPAN are hosting a Victorian-focussed information session that will explain upcoming reforms to the Aged Care Act. The session is designed for older Victorians, their families, and other supporter. Learn more and register using the link below.

📣 📣 WE'RE HIRING 📣 📣 We're on the lookout for a Business Development Officer! Learn more and apply via Seek using the link below.

Join our #VicSeniorsFestival event, Older People Shaping Communities! 📅 Thursday, 14 October 🕛 10.30 am -12.30 pm 📍 Library at the Dock, Docklands VIC ✅ events.humanitix.com/older-people... Registration is essential.

We invite you to become a member of COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria -- and it's free to join! Learn more and apply at cotavic.org.au/membership

We’d love to hear your perspectives in a short survey on membership. Your input will be vital in helping shape our next 5-year strategy. The survey is here: qau1.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_... (Not yet a member? Join today -- it's free! cotavic.org.au/membership)

📢📢 WE'RE HIRING! 📢📢 @cotavic.org.au and @seniorsrights.org.au are looking for a new Office Leader. This role will oversee the daily operations of COTA Victoria’s office, ensuring a smooth and efficient work environment. Learn more using the link below.

Launching on 1 November, Support at Home is a cornerstone of upcoming aged care reforms. Support at Home is designed to help older Victorians remain at home for longer. Read our full statement on its launch, and share your stories with us using the link below.

As part of the #VicSeniorsFestival, our Beyond Age project asks members of the community to reflect upon their lives to showcase different experiences of ageing. 📅 Thursday, 9 October 🕛 12-2 pm 📍 Majorca Room, Melbourne City Library Learn more and register to attend below.

@cotavic.org.au and @seniorsrights.org.au are looking for a new Board member! This voluntary position is part of our larger Board, which is responsible for our overall governance and strategic direction. Learn more and apply using the link below.

@cotavic.org.au and @seniorsrights.org.au are preparing a submission to the Victorian Government on priorities for the 2026-27 State Budget, and we want to hear from you! We invite you to complete our short survey here: forms.office.com/pages/respon...

Ahead of Scams Awareness Week next week, our friends at COTA Australia and Google are offering a free session this coming Friday that will teach you how to recognise and respond to online pitfalls. 📅 Friday, 22 August 2025 🕛 10.00 am - 12.00 pm ✅ cota.org.au/project/free...

Recently, @cotavic.org.au and @seniorsrights.org.au engaged our members on the topics of isolation, loneliness, and connection through a state-wide survey and in-person workshop. You can read our findings from these efforts using the link below.

Our CEO appeared on 7 News last night, asserting that mandatory testing for Victorian drivers should be based on ability. A single loss of life on a Victorian road is one too many; we support any initiatives that will result in a safe environment for all. Watch here: 7plus.com.au/seven-news-m...

Our newest member briefing outlines supports available to those renting in Victoria, changes being made, and what we are advocating for. Access our full publication using the link below.

Our friends at COTA Australia and Google are offering a free scams awareness course for our members and supporters, both in-person and online. The event will take place between 10am - 12 pm on 22 August. Learn more & register your attendance: cotavic.org.au/event/free-s...

Older Victorians have been at the heart of our research, policy, and advocacy efforts. Here's how our Policy and Advocacy team has worked with older people, for older people, ensuring their voices influence real change.

📢📢 WE'RE HIRING! 📢📢 @seniorsrights.org.au, the only Community Legal Centre dedicated to preventing and responding to elder abuse within Victoria, is looking for an Education Officer. Learn more about this fixed term, part-time opportunity using the link below.

We're pleased to announce that our free community education program, #PlanningAhead, is now open to all regional areas of Victoria! It helps people understand the need to protect their rights and wishes as they get older, & to reduce the risk of elder abuse. Learn more using the link below.

We've opened up our final set of 2025 dates for our paid professional education module, "Recognising and Responding to Elder Abuse"! This module will enable your staff to identify incidents of elder abuse and act appropriately. Learn more & register an expression of interest using the link below:

Having trouble keeping on top of your energy bills in these chilling winter months? Our Policy and Advocacy Manager, Marshida Kolthoff, spoke with Citro and detailed strategies you can employ to address unexpected or unmanageable bills.

Our CEO Ben Rogers appeared on 10 News yesterday, asserting that driving should be focussed on ability, not age. "It shouldn't matter whether you're 45 or 75 -- if you are unfit to drive on Victorian roads, you shouldn't be driving on the roads." Watch here: 10.com.au/news/nationa...

We've developed a new guide to support practitioners, policymakers, and organisations across various sectors recognise and respond to #elderabuse. Access the guide in full below.

COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria, in conjunction with the Ethnic Communities'​ Council of Victoria, have undertaken a project to gauge the impact of reform on CHSP providers to multicultural communities.

We're so very pleased to announce our first #VicSeniorsFestival event! You're invited to engage with our #CareFinder team to navigate the aged care system in special (and free!) 30 minute 1:1 sessions either online or via telephone. Bookings essential -- learn more and register below.