Ignite Aged Care
A community driven program to uplift and build capability in aged care clinical information and interoperability standards
Building the knowledge, capability and partnerships aged care needs to shape—and benefit from—Australia’s emerging clinical information standards.
The challenge
Older people, carers and clinicians need clinical information to be captured once and shared securely across care settings to support safer, more connected care.
Governments are investing in national work with consumers, clinicians, providers and technology vendors to address fragmented information across primary and acute care. Aged care, disability care and mental health also need a coordinated approach to understand why clinical information standards matter, how they are developed and how each sector can help shape them.
The solution: the Ignite Approach
The Ignite Approach is a repeatable model for building enduring clinical and technical capability within health and care sectors.
It helps sectors understand, adopt and influence clinical information standards so those standards reflect real-world needs.
Beginning with aged care, Ignite gives consumers, providers, clinicians, technology vendors and peak bodies practical ways to participate in standards development and implementation.
The approach supports clinical and technical leaders within sector peak bodies to represent sector requirements in national programs such as Sparked and to sustain this work over time.
What the Ignite Approach delivers
Education and training: Builds understanding of why clinical information standards matter, alongside practical knowledge and skills.
Capability uplift: Develops clinical and technical standards leaders within the sector.
Community infrastructure: Creates networks for peer learning, knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving.
Sustainable governance: Establishes the leadership and governance needed to maintain momentum and coordinate sector participation.
Figure 1: Ignite Aged Care: A community driven model for aged care data and interoperability standards development
Ignite the Spark for Aged Care
On 29 July 2026, the DHCRC and the Sparked Program co-hosted Ignite the Spark for Aged Care in Melbourne.
The event brought together 76 people from aged care providers, clinical and consumer groups, government agencies, peak bodies, technology vendors, research organisations and standards bodies.
Participants explored how interoperability, digital health standards and connected care can improve outcomes for older Australians—and how aged care can help shape emerging national data and interoperability standards. The discussion identified the capabilities, partnerships and implementation pathways needed to move from awareness to practical action, capability building and sector-wide collaboration.
Kindle your care
Read the joint communique from participating aged care organisations and learn about their shared commitment to take the event’s findings forward.
Explore the full event report for a summary of the day’s events, presentations and workshops.
Watch event videos and interviews to hear perspectives from people who took part.
Get involved
To learn more about the Ignite Approach or discuss how your organisation can participate, contact Ignite@dhcrc.com.
