Retirement and ageing
This research area focuses on the risks and transitions facing older Australians, building an evidence base about poverty and social exclusion among older people to inform strategies that will foster social inclusion. This includes undertaking research about trends and best practice in aged and community care and governance of services, especially for vulnerable older people. It also involves developing policy positions on related issues such as retirement incomes and related taxation policy, mature age employment and housing affordability. Current research related to retirement and ageing includes:
A workshop Ready for the second fifty years in December 2009 included presentations on emerging research and policy themes.
A forum Later life learning and wellbeing was held 20 April 2011, hosted by the Brotherhood of St Laurence, University of Ballarat and Adult Learning Australia.
Social inclusion, capabilities and older Australians
Contact: Helen Kimberley hkimberley@nullbsl.org.au
The aim of this research is to develop a framework for identifying capabilities and enhancing social inclusion of older Australians. This will provide a foundation for devising innovative approaches for aged care services, and will inform evaluation for continuous improvement.
Senior Australians and information technology
Contact: Bonnie Simons bsimons@nullbsl.org.au
The Carlton Digital Inclusion Project, an 18-month project providing internet access, internet training, support services and community intranet services, as well as access to a workforce skills training program in computer refurbishment, to residents of the Carlton Public Housing Estate. The Brotherhood is undertaking the project evaluation.
Previously, the Brotherhood was commissioned to evaluate the Chelsea Seniors ICT Access Project which provided internet access and training to a selected group of older people living in the City of Kingston. A report about the project’s role in decreasing social isolation and improving wellbeing and community participation was submitted to the Department of Planning and Community Development.
Policy submission
Submission to the Inquiry into Cybersafety for Senior Australians
February 2012 (PDF file, 85 KB)
Workforce participation of mature-age adults in Australia
Contact: Helen Kimberley hkimberley@nullbsl.org.au
Preliminary work on this theme included a quantitative analysis of data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics (HILDA) survey, undertaken by NATSEM, University of Canberra, and a qualitative study undertaken by the Brotherhood's Research and Policy Centre.
A three-year project, funded through an Australian Research Council grant, focuses on pathways and outcomes for mature-age people whose non-participation or under-participation in paid work is not their own choice. The findings will inform policy and practice to better target interventions and support for mature-age workers. Research partners are the University of Canberra, University of Melbourne, Jobs Australia and the Brotherhood of St Laurence.
Reports
Honge (Cathy) Gong and Justine McNamara 2011,
Workforce participation and non-participation among baby boomers in Australia: a profile from HILDA data, full report (PDF file, 340 KB) published by NATSEM
Dina Bowman and Helen Kimberley 2011, Sidelined! Workforce participation and non-participation among baby boomers in Australia (PDF file, 361 KB) Summary (PDF file, 131 KB)
Nicole Berrell 2011, Workforce participation and non-participation among baby boomers in Australia: a life-course outline and literature review (PDF file, 302 KB) research support document
Helen Kimberley and Dina Bowman 2011, 'Understanding mature-age workforce participation in Australia', in Tabatha Griffin and Francesca Beddie (eds) Older workers: research readings, NCVER, Adelaide.
Age and intergenerational relationships
Contact: Simon Biggs
Challenging the idea that population ageing must pit younger generations against older ones, this project explores how people of differing ages make sense of their age and identity. It has involved collaboration between the Brotherhood of St Laurence, NARI and Youthworx Productions, with support from COTA Vic, the Association of Gerontology Australia, the Victorian Government and the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation. A DVD on intergenerational relationships produced by the project can be viewed on Youtube.
Retirement incomes
See research on Taxation