Since 2009, the ACT Government, with input from its Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing, has been actively working to drive better support, connections, and initiatives for older Canberrans.

In December 2009, the ACT Government launched the ACT Strategic Plan for Positive Ageing 2010-2014: Towards an Age-Friendly City.

In 2011, Canberra was accepted as a member of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities (the Network). The Network was established in 2010 to connect cities, communities, and organisations worldwide with the common vision of making their community a great place in which to grow old. Membership of the Network reflects cities’ commitment to listen to the needs of their ageing population and work collaboratively across sectors to create age-friendly physical and social environments.

The ACT ran its first Age-Friendly City survey in 2011 and had 1,972 responses. The survey found there was overall satisfaction with Canberra’s infrastructure, amenities, and facilities and Canberra was moving towards being an Age-Friendly City. However, there was room for improvement, particularly in relation to transport and mobility.

In 2015, the ACT Active Ageing Framework 2015-2018 was developed following extensive community consultation. It required ACT Government directorates to incorporate active ageing principles into mainstream policies such as health, transport, employment, housing, and social inclusion. The associated Action Plan set out practical initiatives to encourage Canberrans to remain active, healthy, and independent as they aged.

In 2018, 768 older Canberrans participated in the next Age-Friendly City Survey. Most indicated they were involved in the community, were active and healthy, and could access the information and services they needed. However, the results highlighted there was still a need to address age-based discrimination, provide a better mix of housing options, and improve the city’s infrastructure to make it more accessible. The insights gained from the survey guided the development of the 2019 Age-Friendly Canberra- A Vision for Our City (the Vision). The Vision identified 12 principles under four focus areas which provided a foundation for the current Age-Friendly City Plan 2020-2024.

Development of the 2025-35 Age-Friendly City Plan will consider other ACT and Australian Government plans and strategies which include priorities and activities for older people, including:

National Plan to Respond to the Abuse of Older Australians (Elder Abuse) 2019-2023 with specific actions for the ACT incorporated in the ACT Government’s Age-Friendly City Plan 2020-2024.