Robodebt recommendations not followed, outcomes 'unfair' under aged care algorithm

Key points

• A Commonwealth Ombudsman investigation has found that the government's automated aged care assessment tool, the Integrated Assessment Tool, produces unfair outcomes and erodes public trust. Ombudsman Iain Anderson said algorithmic decisions cannot currently be overridden, even when clinically inappropriate.
• The investigation also found the department wrongly told assessment providers that automated outcomes could be changed, and that there was no public information explaining how the tool reaches its results.
• The Ombudsman made 10 recommendations, including legislative changes allowing overrides.