COTA SA

COTA SA COTA SA is an older people's movement run by, for and with older people. We represent the aspirations, interests and rights of older South Australians.

COTA SA is creating new images and expectations of our older years... boldly reframing the way we age. We represent the aspirations, interests and rights of 633,000 older South Australians and are part of a national federation that began in SA in 1957. We use peer support and co-design methodologies, providing a platform for older people to be the drivers and shapers of the products, programs, ser

vices, research and technology that they use. More than 100 volunteers support our work and we are actively involved in well over 200 seniors clubs and networks throughout SA. We work closely with partner organisations such as the Multicultural Communities Council SA, LGBTI Health Alliance, SA Retirement Villages Residents Association and the SA Residential Parks Residents Association to reach the rich and wide diversity of older South Australians. We run an active policy agenda on a wide range of issues including housing, aged care, retirement income, health and well-being, cost of living, age discrimination and employment. COTA SA offers many services and programs for older people including
- Strength for Life helping older people resume or start exercise through more than 90 gyms and community centres across SA
- Peer Education Centre offering sessions in topics including aged care, advanced care directives to road safety
- An active program of workshops about topics such as aged care, digital technology, active ageing, health, driving both from COTA SA in Hutt Street Adelaide and in regional areas
- Individual consultations for older people needing assistance on a range of personal matters such as legal assistance, advocacy, paying bills, writing letters etc

Every October COTA SA hosts the longest running arts and community festival in Australia. The ZestFest Festival reaches more than 100,000 older South Australians across the state. Members can also make great savings on everyday items at thousands of businesses across Australia through the Member Rewards program.

31/08/2026

We love seeing these participants staying strong, active and connected with Strength for Life at co-able Fitness: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1572636794243276
If you're in the Port Adelaide area, reach out to them and find out more on 1300 089 349. Or visit strengthforlife.com.au to find sessions near you.

COTA SA's Climate Change Group is passionate about the actions that individuals can take, big or small, that helps to ca...
28/08/2026

COTA SA's Climate Change Group is passionate about the actions that individuals can take, big or small, that helps to care for the planet and Electric Vehicles (EVs) could form part of that picture for some people. Climate Change Group members, Andrew and Peter are pleased to share their thoughts, knoweledge and experiences in this conversation about EVs: https://loom.ly/Z-9Rikk

Andrew is an EV enthusiast who has been pleased to see the recent boom in options available in the Australian market, and Peter has recently made the decision to switch to an EV.

COTA SA's Climate Change Group is passionate about the actions that individuals can take that help to care for the planet. Today, Climate Change Group members Andrew and Peter today share information about electric vehicles and their personal experiences.

COTA Australia - for older Australians are giving older Australians the opportunity to sign a petition to show support f...
27/08/2026

COTA Australia - for older Australians are giving older Australians the opportunity to sign a petition to show support for making private health insurance fairer for older Australians.

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/

24-28 August, is Scams Awareness Week 2026:. Learn more including scams you might encounter and how to protect yourself:...
25/08/2026

24-28 August, is Scams Awareness Week 2026:. Learn more including scams you might encounter and how to protect yourself: https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/research-and-resources/scams-awareness-week

It's a chance for all of us to talk more openly about scams and how to stay safe and this year’s theme, ‘No one’s just a number’, reminds us that behind every scam report is a real person - a parent, friend, neighbour or colleague - whose money, time or trust has been stolen. Scams can happen to anyone, and being targeted by a scammer is never a reflection of a person’s intelligence or character.

If in doubt - Stop Check Protect!

Scams Awareness Week is a national campaign dedicated to helping Australians recognise, avoid and report scams.

COTA SA is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Skull as our new Board President as Anne Edwards AO officially ...
24/08/2026

COTA SA is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Skull as our new Board President as Anne Edwards AO officially steps down after a remarkable 14 years at the helm. Read the full story: https://loom.ly/EjwFcUQ

COTA SA is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Skull as its new Board President as Anne Edwards AO officially steps down after 14 years at the helm.

We're celebrating our newest Stay Strong instructors, trained, ready and looking forward to delivering sessions to the c...
21/08/2026

We're celebrating our newest Stay Strong instructors, trained, ready and looking forward to delivering sessions to the community. Find Strength for Life sessions near you: https://strengthforlife.com.au/participants/find-sessions-near-you/

We celebrated with these new Stay Strong Tier 2 Instructors in August! Our Stay Strong Instructors undertake extensive training to provide individualised programming to suit your needs. Did you know that some of our courses are available online? To see our full list of courses please visit https://strengthforlife.com.au/instructors-providers/training-elearning/

Our August e-newsletter is out now: https://zc.vg/WNoRm?m=0 In this edition...• Could you be a Face of Ageing?• Reshapin...
20/08/2026

Our August e-newsletter is out now: https://zc.vg/WNoRm?m=0

In this edition...

• Could you be a Face of Ageing?
• Reshaping the Future of Ageing
• Building safer futures 5-year plan
• Ageing well in Charles Sturt
• Celebrating our new Stay Strong Instructors
• Ticket giveaways
...and much more

COTA SA welcomes the release of the Building safer futures 5-year plan to implement recommendations from the Royal Commi...
19/08/2026

COTA SA welcomes the release of the Building safer futures 5-year plan to implement recommendations from the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence. As part of this, the Government yesterday announced the introduction of new laws to restrict the online purchase of alcohol.

The Royal Commission issued a call to action and COTA SA was proud to contribute, ensuring that the unique experiences and voices of older women were represented and heard. Read more on the DPC website here: https://dpc.sa.gov.au/resources-and-publications/building-safer-futures-sa-government-response-to-the-royal-commission-into-domestic-family-and-sexual-violence

If this is an issue which impacts you, find information and resources on our Older Women’s Services and Supports page here: https://cotasa.org.au/programs-and-services/older-womens-services-and-supports

A 5-year plan to implement recommendations from the Royal Commission into Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence has been released.

The Royal Commission marked a defining moment in our state’s history and issued an urgent call to action, and Building safer futures is the government’s commitment to create lasting change.

The plan is led by a clear vision: People of all ages, abilities and identities are safe, respected and supported to be free form the experience and use of domestic, family and sexual violence.

Read more about the implementation plan: dpc.sa.gov.au/saferfutures.

18/08/2026

Last night’s Four Corners report put a human face to the experiences of older Australians navigating the reformed aged care system and highlighted the need for further improvements to aged care assessments, wait times and funding, COTA Australia says.

COTA Australia Chief Executive Officer Patricia Sparrow said the report reflected concerns COTA Australia has consistently raised with the Federal Government about the operation of the new system.

“Having an algorithm determine a person’s level of care, with limited opportunity for assessors or clinicians to intervene in the outcome, was always likely to create problems.” Ms Sparrow said lengthy waits for care remain one of the most significant challenges facing older Australians. Read the full media release here: https://cota.org.au/news/more-work-needed-to-improve-aged-care-assessments-and-reduce-wait-times/
ABC News Report: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-17/inside-the-black-box-aged-care-algorithm-for-support-at-home/107033970

One week to go! Learn the Signs and Protect Yourself from scams: Find out more and register for COTA Australia's free we...
17/08/2026

One week to go! Learn the Signs and Protect Yourself from scams: Find out more and register for COTA Australia's free webinar for scams awareness week next Monday 24 August: https://cota.org.au/project/scams-awareness-week-learn-the-signs-and-protect-yourself-free-webinar/

Learn ways to spot scams and how to protect yourself.

You have 10 Days left to register for our FREE webinar on scam awareness and prevention. Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn how to identify the signs and how to protect yourself and your community from becoming a scam victim.

Always remember - STOP.CHECK.PROTECT.

Find out more and register here: https://cota.org.au/project/scams-awareness-week-learn-the-signs-and-protect-yourself-free-webinar/

Scam Resources:
https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/stop-check-protect

Address

Level 1, 85 Hutt Street
Adelaide, SA
5000

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

(08) 8232 0422

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when COTA SA posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to COTA SA:

Shortcuts

Share