Summary

12.1     Engaging with social security through Centrelink is a part of life for most older Australians. This gives Centrelink a distinct opportunity to assist with the detection and prevention of elder abuse, especially financial abuse.

12.2     Stakeholders suggested that elder abuse is largely invisible in legal frameworks that determine Centrelink processes and responses. This ‘invisibility’ may result in a lost opportunity for Centrelink to detect and respond to elder abuse—particularly in areas such as Carer Payment and payment nominees, or in policies governing the entitlements of older persons.

12.3     The recommendations in this chapter focus on enhancing elder abuse visibility in these legal frameworks and frontloading safeguards against abuse. This chapter should be read together with Chapter 6 on family agreements, which discusses the role Centrelink can play in assisting to safeguard against elder abuse in the context of family agreements.