Yates hands over to new IG
Acting Inspector-General of Aged Care Ian Yates signs off after two years in the the interim then acting role.

Former COTA Australia chief Ian Yates has completed his appointment as the nation’s first Inspector-General of Aged Care.
Mr Yates stepped into the role of Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care in January 2023 before becoming the Acting Inspector-General of Aged Care in October 2023. These appointments followed almost three decades with consumer advocacy organisation Council on the Ageing Australia.
In a statement, Mr Yates credited his “skilled and committed team” for their help in achieving several goals they had in their vision during his time in the lead, including creation of the Office of the Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care, preparation at the minister’s request of the 2023 Progress Report on the Implementation of the Recommendations of the Aged care Royal Commission and commencement of a Review into My Aged Care.
“It has been an honour and a pleasure to serve for two years, initially as Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care and then as the Acting Inspector-General [of Aged Care] with full statutory powers for the last 15 months,” Mr Yates said.
“The creation of the role of Inspector-General of Aged Care was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Quality and Safety in Aged Care. The role of Inspector-General is to shine a light on all aspects of the aged care system, identify systemic issues and recommend changes that will produce improved outcomes for people who need aged care services, and their families.”
Mr Yates thanked the Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells and the Shadow Aged Care Minister Senator Anne Ruston for their support in his role, along with the aged care consumers and their representatives, aged care providers, and other experts and stakeholders, who “directly expressed” their strong and ongoing support.
He also expressed his appreciation to agency executive director Paula Pearsall for her skill, commitment, tenacity and collegiality, the office directors and entire team, who have “never hesitated to go above and beyond” and have made this a “valued and pleasurable” two years.
In a statement, the OIGAC acknowledged and commended Mr Yates’ commitment to the role.
Ms Pearsall said it had been a privilege to work with Mr Yates.
“His wisdom and unwavering dedication have left a lasting impact,” Ms Pearsall said. “We will miss his insight and profound knowledge of the aged care sector, which has guided and inspired so much of our work. His departure marks the end of a significant chapter, but his legacy will undoubtedly continue to influence our work and the aged care sector positively.”
In closing, Ms Pearsall thanked Mr Yates for his service and wished him a successful future.
In his statement, Mr Yates said that he couldn’t “sign off” without recording the OIGAC was “severely” under-resourced.
“Government’s initial funding was based on inadequate and conflicted advice. This is not a matter of “what we would like” it is about essential resources,” he said.
“The office is not sufficiently funded to sustainably undertake all its statutory functions. It is at least 50 per cent below minimum requirements. This must be corrected.”
Following her appointment last year, Natalie Siegel-Brown has now commenced her post as permanent Inspector-General of Aged Care.
Comment on the story below. Follow Australian Ageing Agenda on LinkedIn, X (Twitter) and Facebook, sign up to our twice-weekly newsletter and subscribe to our premium content or AAA magazine for the complete aged care picture.