Australian aged care algorithm under-assesses eligibility, restricts human oversight
Australia's Integrated Assessment Tool, an algorithm used to determine home support funding for elderly people, has reportedly under-assessed care needs and left people without adequate care, with assessors prohibited from overriding incorrect decisions. The Senate passed legislation to reinstate human oversight after months of scrutiny including investigation by the commonwealth ombudsman and concerns from the Australian Human Rights Commission.
What happened
The Integrated Assessment Tool was introduced in November to determine home support funding and care levels for elderly Australians.
The algorithm has frequently under-assessed care needs, leaving people without adequate care. Expert assessors were explicitly prohibited from overriding the tool's assessments even when it made wrong decisions.
Reported impact
Elderly Australians and their carers described the tool as 'cruel' and 'inhumane'. Aged care advocates reported the automated system frequently under-assessed cases.
Index analysis
Concerns were raised during Senate estimates, prompting an investigation by the commonwealth ombudsman and concerns from the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Governance controls
The Senate passed legislation to reinstate human override in aged care assessments. The government indicated IAT decisions could be changed by humans in 'extenuating circumstances', though the Aged Care Minister noted this would capture fewer cases than the Senate bill proposed.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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