Council on the Ageing WA chair Carmen Lawrence behind push to give seniors free fitness classes

Older West Aussies should be given free fitness class vouchers to keep them strong, fit and out of nursing homes for longer, according to a 2025 wish-list from a seniors advocacy group.

Council on the Ageing WA wants politicians of all parties to consider making cheap fitness accessible, via $150 vouchers, ahead of next year’s State election.

COTA WA chair Carmen Lawrence said older West Australians on pensions or benefits struggled to afford fitness classes that could help them stay fit and in their own home for longer.

“COTA’s been running a program for some time designed to support people, keeping them strong and fit and it works extremely well,” she said.

“But for some people it’s beyond their reach, particularly people on pensions and benefits. . . and they’re the ones who would typically benefit from that.”

Ms Lawrence said it was about a better quality of life, including the freedom for older people to remain independent.

A COTA-designed strength training and exercise program designed for the over-50s runs through 44 different providers around the State.

Wendy Jacobs, 90, attends the COTA WA “strength for life” program four times a week at Leisure World in Thornlie, as well as a weekly pole-walking class.

Gosnells Mayor Terresa Lynes said the City encouraged seniors to keep fit through a range of free and low-cost programs, from structured gym sessions to pickleball and chair yoga.

Neither the WA Government nor the State Opposition jumped at COTA WA’s suggestion.

Minister for Seniors and Ageing Don Punch said the WA Government was “committed to improving WA seniors’ wellbeing and participation in the community”. He said the Government already offered some free programs and tool kits for seniors to stay active, such as the Stay on Your Feet program, through the Health department.

“Many local government authorities also provide heavily discounted entry fees to local sporting facilities and we would encourage them to continue doing so,” he said.

WA Leader of the Opposition Shane Love said the WA Nationals were “currently developing our Seniors policy and will announce further detail ahead of the State election”.

“We look forward to engaging with the Council on the Ageing about policies that will make a difference to our seniors, who play such an important role in our community,” he said.

COTA WA also wants to see stamp duty waived for over 65s and for WA to sign up to so-called “silver standard” building guidelines that make houses more accessible.

Ms Lawrence said making it more attractive for older people to sell their houses and downsize was just one step in tackling the housing crisis. “It’s a multi-pronged problem and if you address it piece by piece you’re unlikely to solve the problem,” she said.