We argue that adult and community learning provides untold opportunities across a range of parameters and locations to support optimal ageing – for societies, for organisations, for communities, families and individuals. We also argue that understanding the new demography and the impact of ageing societies in other areas such as public health, including opportunity and direct costs, will broaden and enhance the perspective of policy-makers and practitioners involved in adult and community learning.  

While the focus of this paper is largely on the Australian experience, the paper also points to some general issues relevant to other countries where international exchanges of experience through the Pascal Network would have considerable value.