The Australian economy is resilient, but business and consumer confidence is fragile.

Advances in science and medical research and public health policies have meant that life expectancy for Australians is one of the highest in the world.

When the Australian Government looked at how to meet the challenges, and the opportunities, presented by our ageing population, it saw that an all-encompassing approach was a prerequisite.

We know that so many of the conditions and diseases that we associate with ageing can often be prevented or in fact their onset delayed if we just took preventative steps earlier in our lives.

It is a fact that governments tend to put in place policies and strategies in response to current scenarios.

Ageing means a loss of a number of skills over time.

We know we are entering a period of transformation in aged care.