Tom Symondson appointed CEO of ACCPA

The head of Victoria’s public health, aged care and community services peak body has been appointed the inaugural chief executive officer of Aged & Community Care Providers Association.

ACCPA chairman Dr Graeme Blackman announced on Tuesday afternoon that Tom Symondson (pictured above) will take the helm of the aged care’s single and unified peak body from September.

Mr Symondson has been the CEO of the Victorian Healthcare Association since 2015 and served as the organisation’s director of policy and strategy for several years before that.

Dr Blackman said Mr Symondson had a proven track record as a leader and advocate in the public and community health sector in Victoria.

“Now, more than ever our sector needs strong leadership and a united voice through ACCPA so that we can work with government and industry stakeholders to achieve a sustainable [aged] care sector that improves the wellbeing of older Australians,” Dr Blackman said in a statement.

Mr Symondson has been vocal on aged care policy in his current role including calling for focus on reform progression despite the royal commissioners’ disagreeing views over regulation and funding of the new aged care system in their final report.

“It’s disappointing that the commissioners could not agree on a unanimous vision for reform, and it is critical that this disagreement does not lead to confusion and delay that limits the impact of this royal commission; the focus must be on progressing urgent reform that benefits providers and consumers across Australia,” Mr Symondson said in a statement at the time of the report’s release in March 2021.

Mr Symondson’s previous experience includes senior roles at the Property Council of Australia and Southwark Council in London, where he served as a political advisor in one of the UK’s largest local authorities.

He sits on the board of Aware Super and a range of government boards and taskforces including the Victorian Ministerial Advisory Committee for Mental Health, The Victorian Quality and Safety Council and the Public Sector Residential Aged Care Expert Advisory Group. He is also chair of the International Federation of Community Health Centres.

Mr Symondson said he was looking forward to heading up ACCPA as it commenced its work representing and supporting Australia’s diverse aged care sector.

“The sector is facing many challenges, not least the incredible strain on our workforce after more than two years of a global pandemic and the huge financial strain on providers. But there are also so many opportunities to work together with our members and governments across the country to build a sustainable future for aged care and, most importantly, to improve the lives of older Australians, wherever they live.

“I can’t think of a more important goal, and I am excited to be able to play a part in delivering it,” he said.

Paul Sadler, who was appointed interim CEO in May, will remain in the role until Mr Symondson starts in September. Dr Blackman thanked Mr Sadler for leading the organisation through the transition from LASA and ACSA into a united organisation.

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