Tom Symondson is a respected voice for services to older people, serving as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ageing Australia, the national peak body representing organisations providing aged care and housing for older Australians.

Since 2022, Tom has led Ageing Australia’s mission to champion a high-performing, trusted and sustainable aged care sector that empowers older Australians to age with dignity, care and respect.

With more than 20 years of experience spanning aged care, public health, and local government in both Australia and the UK, Tom has been at the forefront of policy reform, driving meaningful advocacy and shaping strategy to improve care outcomes for more than 1.5 million older Australians. He is known for translating complex policy and reform into practical language and action – supporting genuine co-design and momentum across diverse stakeholders.

In 2025, he was appointed as a Director of the International Federation on Ageing (IFA), contributing to global efforts to advance the rights, wellbeing and inclusion of older people. In 2024, he was recognised as a Global Ageing Influencer at the World Ageing Festival in Singapore.
Tom’s previous roles include CEO of the Victorian Healthcare Association and senior policy positions in one of the United Kingdom’s largest local councils. He has also served on a range of government boards and taskforces, including the Australian Government’s Aged Care Taskforce and its National Aged Care Advisory Council, and as a Board Director of Aware Super, one of Australia’s largest superannuation funds.

Tom’s leadership is defined by his commitment to thoughtful advocacy, collaboration and practical reform – bringing people together around common ground to improve outcomes for older Australians.