While the government has been looking to younger people, backpackers and overseas students to help fix our workplace skills shortages, it seems older workers have been overlooked.
Once you earn more than $240 a week you lose 50 cents in the dollar from your pension, and pay tax, a policy which experts say discourages older Australians from remaining in the workforce.
In New Zealand however, the aged pension is universal and pensioners are not penalised for earning additional income.
So what are we losing as a nation in terms of services, experience and in terms of our economy, by effectively sending people out to pasture.
Why don’t we value older workers?
Guests:
Matt Grudnoff - Senior Economist, The Australia Institute
Professor Tim Bentley - Director of the Centre for Work + Wellbeing, Edith Cowan University
Ian Henschke - Chief Advocate, National Seniors Australia
'Jane' - a Registered Nurse working in aged care
Swetlana Hansen- aged care worker