COTA Victoria & Seniors Rights Victoria

31/08/2026

The latest episode of our podcast is now available!

In it, Golden Days Radio GDR 95.7fm's Peter Thomas speaks with Tony Morrissey, a recipient of the 2025 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards' COTA Victoria Senior Achiever award.

COTA Conversations airs fortnightly on Golden Days Radio, 95.7 fm, on Mondays at 10.15 am as part of Monday Afternoon with Peter Thomas. It's then made available, on-demand, on your podcast player of choice.

Listen to today's episode wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗🔗LINKS🔗🔗
- COTA Conversations on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/cota-conversations/id1679272877
- COTA Conversations on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5oib0tPTQX93LBTDpBk2Fe
- COTA Conversations RSS feed: https://anchor.fm/s/dd201970/podcast/rss

28/08/2026

There's never been a better time to join us as a member!

While stocks last, newly approved applicants will receive a free welcome pack, consisting of a tote bag, vacuum insulated bottle, notebook, and pen!

If you're already a member, we've got you in mind too! The first 100 members to refer a new member will also receive a welcome pack.

Sign up for membership and access full promotion terms and conditions at https://cotavic.org.au/get-involved/become-a-member/

27/08/2026

COTA Australia are inviting older Australians to sign a petition that adds their voice to fix private health insurance for older Australians. Please take the time to read the petition proposition and if you would like to take action, sign the petition by adding your name.

Fix Private Health Insurance for Older Australians – Add Your Voice

Many older Australians have paid private health insurance premiums for decades. Now, just as they are more likely to need health care, they face high, unpredictable costs, no assurance their cover is giving them fair value, and a Government proposal to cut the age-based rebate that helps keep their cover affordable.

COTA Australia are inviting older Australians to sign a petition that adds their voice to fix private health insurance for older Australians. Please take the time to read the petition proposition and if you would like to take action, sign the petition by adding your name.

Click here to join:
https://cota.org.au/project/fix-private-health-insurance-for-older-australians/

26/08/2026

Our CEO, Ben Rogers, recently sat down with Youi Insurance to discuss drivers license renewals.

“For many older Australians – particularly those who live in regional and rural areas, or who otherwise have limited access to transport – driving provides independence and increases connection to people, services and programs," he explained.

Access the full article below.

Discover how senior driver’s licence renewal rules work in each Australian state and territory, including the renewal requirements for drivers over 70.

18/08/2026

COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria support reform to provide greater protection for communications made through closely integrated legal assistance services.

Specifically, we support the establishment of a new category of legal privilege covering communications between clients, lawyers, and social service professionals in closely integrated legal assistance settings.

Read our latest submission in full using the link below.

COTA Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria support reform to provide greater protection for communications made through closely integrated legal assistance services.

17/08/2026

The latest episode of our podcast is now available!

In it, Golden Days Radio GDR 95.7fm's Peter Thomas speaks with Nola Radiotis, a recipient of the 2025 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards' COTA Victoria Senior Achiever award.

COTA Conversations airs fortnightly on Golden Days Radio, 95.7 fm, on Mondays at 10.15 am as part of Monday Afternoon with Peter Thomas. It's then made available, on-demand, on your podcast player of choice.

Listen to today's episode wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗🔗LINKS🔗🔗
- COTA Conversations on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/cota-conversations/id1679272877
- COTA Conversations on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5oib0tPTQX93LBTDpBk2Fe
- COTA Conversations RSS feed: https://anchor.fm/s/dd201970/podcast/rss

13/08/2026

Often our clients have chosen a trusted relative or friend to manage their finances when they are unable to do so. This trust may be abused, with devastating consequences for the older person.

Read our latest real story using the link below.

Often our clients have chosen a trusted relative or friend to manage their finances when they are unable to do so. This trust may be abused, with devastating consequences for the older person.

09/08/2026

🚨🚨 We're ! 🚨🚨

We're on the lookout for a passionate and experienced Policy and Advocacy Advisor to help drive meaningful social change through evidence-based policy development, stakeholder engagement and strategic advocacy.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a respected not-for-profit organisation and contribute to reforms that improve the lives of older people across Victoria.

Learn more and apply using the link below.

Help shape policy and advocate for the rights of older Victorians. Join COTA Victoria and drive meaningful social change through evidence-based policy development, system-wide advocacy.

04/08/2026

In making our latest submission, we draw on many years of listening to older Victorians, providing advice and referrals to people seeking our assistance, and delivering several targeted employment support programs funded by the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments.

Read it in full below.

Continuing participation in the paid workforce is an increasing challenge for many Victorians over 50 whom we seek to support and represent.

03/08/2026

Our advocacy is grounded in the experiences of older Victorians. During the 2025–26 financial year, we heard from more than 1,500 older people through a variety of engagements.

Across seven statewide surveys, targeted consultations, community conversations, and engagement with sector partners, we built an evidence base that translated lived experience into policy positions, submissions, research, and recommendations.

Read our full 2025-26 impact report using the link below.

Older Victorians are not a single group with shared experiences, and our work sought to ensure that policies and systems recognise this diversity. This approach underpins the work undertaken by the Policy & Advocacy team, across policy areas outlined in this briefing.