Aged-care algorithm's one-in-five reversal rate flagged by assessors from week one

Australia's aged-care funding algorithm has a one-in-five reversal rate when decisions are contested. FOI documents obtained by Guardian Australia show assessors raised the alarm within days of the tool's November launch, yet the user guide was still being updated in August 2026. Five jurisdictions logged systemic errors. WA's director general warned of "catastrophic outcomes" for vulnerable older people.