Some of the specific projects to be covered during 2011-2012 include:

1. Older Australians and Private Health Insurance

DOHA funding theme: “Lifestyle issues for seniors”

Overview: This project will examine 1. The private health insurance coverage of older Australians during an era of rapid policy change, 2. Examine the characteristics of persons who hold insurance compared with those who do not, 3. Understand the reasons for older Australians use of health insurance, and 4. Understand the use of private health insurance by older Australians once purchased.

Data: ABS National Health Survey, PHIAC Administrative data.

2. Social Inclusion and Older Persons

DOHA funding theme: “Productive ageing through paid and volunteer work, productive ageing through people maintaining their independence”

Overview: Although the government current has in place strategies to maximise the social inclusion of particular groups of people, no particular strategy exists for older persons. This project will utilise the latest data to understand the role of older Australians in the Australian community through: engagement in community organisations, volunteer groups, sporting clubs and associations and the level of connectiveness of older persons within families the community more broadly.

Data: ABS General Social Survey

3. Labour Supply and Labour Force Participation

DOHA funding theme: “Productive ageing through paid and volunteer work”

Overview: This project will examine the variation in older Australians labour force participation across Australia’s regions. Specifically, it will examine region-industry differences in labour force participation with a view to understanding labour supply constraints that occur as the population ages. Sub-state projections of labour supply will be estimated with a view to understanding the current and future state of labour supply.

Data: ABS ERP data, ABS Census data.

4. Cash Flow and Every Day Living Expenses among Older Australians.

DOHA funding theme: “Lifestyle issues for seniors”

Overview: This study will focus on a particular group of older Australians who report cash flow problems. We will investigate (1.) the type of cash flow problem experienced (trouble paying bills, paying off debt etc), (2.) the kinds of responses older people in this situation take (take out loans, sell assets, adjust expenditure behaviour, and (3) investigate the role of unexpected events (such as death of a family member or a significant health issue) in creating cash flow problems.

Data: ABS General Social Survey.

5. Retirement Planning and Expectations of  Older Australians.

DOHA funding theme: “Lifestyle issues for seniors”, “Productive ageing through paid and volunteer work”

Overview: This study will investigate retirement planning and expectations among a group of close to retirement Australians. We will investigate (1.) financial, (2.) lifestyle, and (3) health planning strategies and the role of economic and demographic factors in explaining this planning.

Data: ABS Multipurpose Survey.

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