Capturing older Queenslanders’ lived experience to inform policy, services and community planning.
Queensland is ageing. More than one in three Queenslanders is aged 50 or over, and most people want to remain active, connected and living at home for as long as possible.
Understanding what helps, and what gets in the way, is vital if we are to build age-friendly communities across our state.
To build age-friendly communities, we need to listen.
The Ageing Well Survey is a Queensland-first initiative launched in February 2025 to better understand how everyday older Queenslanders are living their lives.
Developed by the Australian Catholic University in collaboration with the Queensland Government and Council on the Ageing Queensland, the survey captures lived experience across community life, daily living, health and wellbeing, and the supports people rely on to age well.
Rather than focusing solely on services, the survey examines the broader conditions that shape ageing, including housing, transport, social connection, access to information, digital inclusion and feelings of safety and belonging. It also provides space for people to share their experiences in their own words.
Responses are collected on a cumulative basis, allowing insights to build over time and providing an increasingly rich picture of ageing across metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities in Queensland.
By listening directly to older Queenslanders, the survey helps identify what is working well, where pressures are emerging, and where change is needed to support ageing well across diverse communities.
The survey aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Age-Friendly Cities and Communities framework, which provides a global model for how communities can better support people as they age.
These areas include:
Together, these areas help communities understand what supports ageing well and where improvements are needed. Across these domains, the results show that many foundations for ageing well are strong, particularly housing, communication and access to information, and community support.
At the same time, some areas present opportunities for improvement. Respect and social inclusion, transport, and outdoor spaces were more likely to reflect mixed or lower experiences for some older Queenslanders. These insights help identify where communities are supporting people well, and where further focus is needed to ensure everyone can age well.
This approach also aligns with the Queensland Government’s focus on creating age-friendly communities where people can stay connected, active and included as they age.
Many older Queenslanders report strong levels of personal satisfaction and connection to their communities. On average, participants rated their overall life satisfaction at 7.6 out of 10, with friendships and social relationships the highest-rated area.
While overall wellbeing is positive, health was the lowest-rated area within the life satisfaction measures, highlighting the importance of access to affordable and timely healthcare.
Across the Age-Friendly Domains, several foundations for ageing well were rated strongly, particularly housing, communication and access to information, and community support.
However, respect and social inclusion emerged as the lowest-rated domain, indicating that some older people do not always feel valued or included in their communities.
Alongside these insights, many respondents described pressures that affect their ability to age well, including:
Together, these insights highlight the gap that can exist between personal resilience and systemic support.
Older Queenslanders shared their experiences in their own words. These reflections highlight both what is working well and where challenges remain.
As of 30 September 2025, 2,220 older Queenslanders had completed the Ageing Well Survey, with recruitment continuing as the survey remains open.
Participants reflect a broad cross-section of the community:
In 2025, the survey was promoted across all seven Queensland regions. Promotion occurs both online and in person through community outreach, Seniors Expos, pop-up events and email networks. Printed postcards with QR codes support accessibility, including for those who prefer face-to-face engagement.
The Ageing Well Survey provides real-time insight into how older Queenslanders experience their communities.
For Council on the Ageing Queensland, the findings strengthen our role as the Seniors Peak Body by grounding advocacy in direct evidence from older people. For government, service providers and communities, the data offers guidance on where investment, design and reform can make the greatest difference.
The survey will continue to be promoted across Queensland, with a focus on reaching communities that are currently underrepresented.
Most importantly, the Ageing Well Survey remains an open invitation for older Queenslanders to share their voice and help shape a Queensland where everyone can age well.
Everyone’s experience of ageing is different.
By taking just 10–15 minutes to share yours, you can help shape what comes next for older Queenslanders.
Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland is the peak body representing older people in Queensland.
For almost 70 years, we have worked alongside older Queenslanders, community organisations and decision-makers to ensure older people are heard, respected and included in decisions that affect their lives.
Council on the Ageing Queensland is very keen to share your lived experience with older Queenslanders.
By adding your voice, you can help us advocate to governments, businesses and communities to positively influence change. Together we can make Queensland a place where older people can age with dignity, independence and purpose.
Take the first step in joining our community by entering your details below and we will be in touch.
Don’t worry, we will never sell or share your contact information with anyone outside of COTA Queensland without your permission.
Thank you for your interest in advocating for the rights and wellbeing of older Queenslanders.
