Exercise Right Boost for Older Australians 

Older Australians’ access to exercise classes run by tertiary-qualified professionals trained in exercise received a significant boost today.

Minister for Sport, Senator Bridget McKenzie and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, Ken Wyatt announced a grant today of $1.838 million for Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA)’s Exercise Right for Active Ageing program.  

ESSA is one of 27 organisations sharing in the $22.9 million invested in the Move It Aus Better Ageing Grants which focus on helping inactive Australians aged 65 and older move more often and become more socially connected.

The funding will see ESSA’s Accredited Exercise Physiologists and Accredited Exercise Scientists deliver a range of subsidised group exercise classes, as well as individualised exercise and volunteering pathways for older Australians. 

“The breadth of ESSA’s program appealed to me due to its focus on over 16,000 older Australians from regional, rural and remote areas – more specifically, farm men and women and farm workers, women aged 75 and over and those receiving Home Care Packages,” the Minister McKenzie said. 

“It's great that ESSA recognises the importance of providing access to exercise and physical activity to those Australians in rural and regional areas, using Telehealth services.” 

Minister Wyatt noted, “ESSA’s program is ideally placed to reduce the progression of chronic diseases and the risk of falls. It will give older Australians more choices for a longer, healthier life, as increasing numbers of us live to 100 and beyond.”

ESSA Chief Executive Officer, Anita Hobson-Powell welcomed the landmark funding.

“This project recognises the value of Accredited Exercise Physiologists and Accredited Exercise Scientists in providing evidence-based exercise initiatives. It will be a game changer in accelerating older Australians’ understanding of the role exercise plays in active ageing and maintaining and improving their health and independence.”

With an ageing population and only one quarter of Australians over 65 meeting the national physical activity guidelines of 30 minutes activity per day, ESSA’s program supports the Government’s National Sport Plan’s (Sport 2030) focus on movement for life and securing healthier, happier futures for all. 

For more information for consumers on Exercise Right, visit the ESSA Exercise Right website. 

To contact your local Accredited Exercise Physiologist, visit the ESSA website.