As the Federal Budget looms on the horizon, the voices of seniors are growing louder, demanding attention and action from the government. National Seniors Australia (NSA) has been at the forefront, championing the cause with its 2025-26 Pre-Budget Submission, a comprehensive document that outlines the key reforms seniors across the nation are seeking.
With the possibility of a federal election interrupting the budget process, NSA is not slowing down. Instead, they’re amplifying the call for change, ensuring that the concerns and needs of older Australians are not just heard but addressed with urgency and precision.
The submission, a 30-page document, presents 16 critical policy recommendations that resonate with the collective voice of seniors. These recommendations are not just the brainchild of NSA; they have garnered support and advocacy from various organisations, reflecting a unified front in the quest for better outcomes for the older population.
Chris Grice, the Chief Executive Officer of NSA, emphasises that the policies put forward are the result of meticulous research and innovation.
‘Our well-researched and innovative policies seek to improve current cost of living and more long-term issues such as pensioner concessions, employment income testing, Medicare rebates, dental care, renting and housing, and tax and financial services,’ he said.
The policies are designed to benefit a diverse group of older Australians, including pensioners, part-pensioners, self-funded retirees, and those approaching retirement.
One of the most pressing concerns highlighted in the submission is the plight of senior renters. While homeowners may enjoy a sense of security in retirement, those who rent are facing an increasingly tough rental market. High rents are squeezing budgets, leaving less for healthcare, nutrition, and social engagement.
The Grattan Institute’s recent report supports NSA’s stance, advocating for a significant increase in government rent assistance and proper indexing to reflect the real inflation in rental costs.
NSA’s submission goes a step further, calling for additional increases in Commonwealth Rent Assistance and indexing to rental cost inflation rather than the general Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Housing solutions for seniors also include incentives for investment in affordable housing, removing penalties for renting out rooms, and exempting certain proceeds from the Age Pension assets test to facilitate downsizing.
Another area of concern is the rising out-of-pocket costs at general practitioners. NSA supports the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)’s call for a 40 per cent increase in the Medicare Rebate for longer consultations and urges investment in Medicare to reduce fees and promote bulk billing.
The private health system is not immune to scrutiny. NSA proposes a Productivity Commission review to ensure value for money for policyholders and suggests increasing the Private Health Insurance Rebate for low-income individuals.
Additionally, NSA echoes the dental industry’s call for a targeted Seniors Dental Benefits Scheme.
The closure of banks, particularly in regional and rural areas, has left a gap in essential services. NSA sees Australia Post as a potential saviour, advocating for it to take on a greater financial services role, supported by a Treasury-proposed bank levy to fund the necessary authorised deposit-taking institution (ADI) licence.
These are just a few of the transformative policies NSA is bringing to the government’s table. The full list of NSA’s policy recommendations is available for review, and seniors are encouraged to familiarise themselves with these proposals.
By staying informed and engaged, you can help shape the policies that will define the quality of life for seniors in the years to come.
What are your thoughts about NSA’s policy recommendations? Share them with the YourLifeChoices community in the comments below.
Also read: Government’s proposed cash mandate faces criticism from seniors groups—here’s why
The last government to listen and do anything for pensioners to ease the burden of povety was the ALP Rudd government in 2008. 6 PM’s and 17 years later, nothing. 13 years of LNP governmeng & silence, except for the caring for their wealthy mates like introducing tax cuts for high earners only.
I wonder if anyone who wrote this document had any idea of how the increase of the pension of $10/15 per day would affect the amount public housing tenants pay in rent? No matter where you live, you’ll be ‘slugged’ an extra $35/52.50 per fortnight, which would negate any ‘real’ increase, as you’ve lost 25% of the increase straight away!
This can be alleviated by exempting the funds from being added into the amount to be assessed. Currently, in NSW, at least, Housing take your base rate of pension, and add the energy allowance, and multiply this by .25 (25%), and that’s the rent you pay for the next 6 months. Eg Single age pensioner – $1047.10 + $14.10 = 1061.20 * .25 = $265.30. Then if you add the 25% from the increase, it comes to $300.30 per fortnight in rent, which would equate to a 13.2% increase in rent payable, which is unconscionable!
I’ve just heard that the March pension increase will be $4.52 a fortnight for a single pensioner. At first I thought my hearing was going, but no, this increase is supposed to help with my 56% increase in home insurance, and other outrageous increases. I find this paltry increase insulting.