Health officials in turmoil over 11th-hour backflip on aged care algorithm override powers, emails reveal

Ministers given emergency briefing about changes to algorithm decisions just three days before tool rollout

• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

Senior department of health officials were in turmoil before the rollout of an algorithm to determine funding packages for older Australians, after discovering legislation had been drafted so rigidly that the tool could not legally be overridden by aged care assessors.

Emails published under freedom of information (FoI) by the department of health, disability and ageing show that, despite assessors long receiving reassurance from the department that they would have powers to change incorrect algorithm decisions, officials realised at the 11th hour this would violate proposed regulations.