We live in a society that loudly condemns racism, sexism, homophobia and all kinds of prejudice — and rightly so. Yet one form of discrimination continues to go unchecked, shrugged off, even laughed about: ageism.
Too often, older Australians are spoken about rather than spoken to. We’re portrayed as burdens, “past our use-by date,” or people who should quietly step aside to make way for the young.
These lazy stereotypes overlook the most obvious truth: age brings skill, wisdom, resilience and a lifetime of contribution.
And here’s the irony — Australia is crying out for workers. We have ongoing shortages across healthcare, trades, education, transport, hospitality and countless other areas.
Governments are scrambling for solutions, yet millions of older Australians who want to continue contributing are pushed away by systems that treat “55+” like a liability. We do not have a skills shortage problem — we have a problem recognising and valuing the skills already in front of us.
Ageism affects everything: job ads, recruitment practices, assumptions about technology use, how customer service interacts with seniors, and even how seniors are depicted in media. And unless we call it out, it thrives in silence.
So what can we do?
Raise our voices. When older Australians speak up — firmly, proudly — we shift the narrative. We should talk loudly about our experience, our qualifications and our willingness to contribute. When employers hear confidence rather than apology, doors begin to open.
Report it. If you see age discrimination in workplaces, services or advertising, call it out. Organisations won’t change what they don’t get criticised for.
Demand better from government. Programs that re-engage older workers, rather than encourage early exit from the workforce, benefit the entire economy. We should push governments and industry to harness the talent of older Australians — not write us off.
Stay visible. Stay active. Stay engaged. Every time seniors participate in community life, we challenge the stereotype that ageing means shrinking from the world.
One of the most powerful tools against ageism is intergenerational connection. When young people and older people work together, the myths fall apart.
I volunteer at The Achievers Club, a program supporting young people who are struggling on their school journey. Mentors sit with students one-on-one for two hours every second Saturday morning — listening, encouraging, tutoring and believing in them. It’s not rocket science, but it changes lives.
Some of the most powerful breakthroughs I’ve seen happen when a child realises that someone with grey hair is not an outdated relic, but a source of wisdom, humour, patience and fierce support. Every retired teacher, engineer, nurse, tradesperson, mechanic, banker and carer has something priceless to offer: experience.
And just like that, ageism loses.
If we want society to respect older Australians, we cannot wait for permission. We show the value we bring, and we do it loudly — in workplaces, in volunteering, in community spaces and in how we speak about ourselves.
Ageism thrives in silence.
We defeat it by refusing to be silent.
And if you have two hours on a Saturday morning every fortnight, The Achievers Club would love to welcome more mentors — because the next generation deserves all the wisdom we have to offer. Email me at suresh@iinet.net.au
