FOI 25-0040 LD Behavioural Insights Research Report

Written by Claude Haiku 4.5 from the extracted text on 27 Feb 2026. It can miss or misread redacted and scanned pages. Check the source before relying on it.

The Behavioural Insights Team completed a research report for the Department of Health and Aged Care examining barriers to recommending alternatives to residential aged care (RAC) for younger people with disabilities. The August 2024 report analysed why health professionals and system administrators underutilise alternatives such as home care packages, specialist disability accommodation, supported independent living, and individualised living options. Using stakeholder interviews and surveys, researchers applied the COM-B behavioural model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation) to identify factors influencing professional recommendations. The report found capability gaps in knowledge about alternatives, opportunity constraints in system navigation and funding clarity, and motivation challenges including risk aversion and institutional inertia. Five key recommendations were developed to improve professional awareness, streamline pathways, and support the government's 2025 target of reducing younger people in residential aged care. The research involved consultation with Aged Care Assessment Teams, Primary Health Networks, GPs,