Age Discrimination
Young, old and everyone in between – Australians of all ages have the right to be treated fairly and to enjoy the same opportunities as others.
Meet the Commissioner
The Hon Dr Kay Patterson AO
Dr Patterson began her role as the Age Discrimination Commissioner on 29th July, 2016. She has demonstrated a strong interest in issues affecting older people throughout her professional life. Leaving school at 15 and then managing a small business, she returned to school and gained a BA (Hons) at the University of Sydney and a PhD in Psychology and Dip Ed at Monash University.
She taught allied health science students for 11 years. She studied gerontology at two universities in the USA and used the knowledge gained during those visits to co-develop the first Victorian post-graduate diploma in gerontology and to introduce gerontology into the undergraduate behavioural science courses.
Latest News
Age Discrimination
Ageism as a factor of elder abuse (2022)
Queensland Law Society - Keynote: Succession and Elder Law Conference, Friday 11th November, 2022 Conference Centre, Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane
Age Discrimination
New campaign seeks to reduce abuse of older Australians
Launched today to coincide with the 2022 International Day of Older Persons, the Elder Abuse: Shift Your Perspective campaign includes a series of videos which prompt perpetrators to consider how their behaviour might be affecting older people in their lives.
Age Discrimination
Human Rights don't diminish with age (2022)
As Age Discrimination Commissioner, I have made it my priority during my term to address three major manifestations of age discrimination — elder abuse in the community, older women’s risk of homelessness and age discrimination and the workplace.
Top Projects
Age Discrimination
Elder abuse
Elder abuse can take various forms, including: financial, physical, psychological, emotional and sexual abuse, or neglect. No older person should be subjected to any form of abuse.
Age Discrimination
Elder abuse
Age Discrimination
Positive ageing
Age Discrimination
