Executive summary Ageism is a serious problem. The World Health Organization’s 2021 Global Report on Ageism found that one in two people worldwide are ageist, and called ageism ‘prevalent, ubiquitous, and insidious’.1 It is also widespread in Australian society. The Australian Human Rights Commission’s 2021 What’s age got to do with it? report found that 90% of adults agree ageism exists in Australia, 83% consider it to be a problem, and 65% believe it affects people of all ages.2 Ageism – particularly against older adults – is so deeply ingrained in our societal norms and values that it can be difficult to recognise within ourselves and our surroundings. For example, ageist language is often hidden behind humour and good intentions, and used without any intent or awareness of implicit bias against older adults. Sometimes it is the way age is absent from discussions that reflects devaluation of older adults. A global survey of 6,000 employers from 36 countries found age was missing from the diversity and inclusion policies of more than one in two businesses.3 Early in the pandemic, devaluing of older people’s lives was evident in media coverages of coronavirus-related deaths. Younger people who died from complications of COVID-19 often attracted individual focused media attention, while the deaths of older adults tended to be aggregated and reported as numbers.4 Ageism has serious consequences for older people’s health and wellbeing. Studies have consistently shown links between ageism and adverse health outcomes such as shorter lifespan, reduced quality of life and wellbeing, physical and mental health conditions, and cognitive impairment.5 While there is a body of evidence demonstrating that interventions such as educational and intergenerational programs can be effective in reducing ageism, most existing research has been conducted in the United States or in formal education settings.6 In view of these gaps, the Commission set out to evaluate the effectiveness of a brief, one-off educational intervention in reducing ageist attitudes among workers in aged care and community settings. Ageism among this population is a particularly serious concern, as it has the potential to directly affect the wellbeing and quality of life of the older adults they support. The Commission’s research aimed to contribute to a greater understanding of how negative perceptions of ageing and older adults may be shifted. The idea was not to replace negative views with positive ones, but to encourage participants to recognise the multidimensionality of ageing and avoid overly simplistic and generalised views of older adults. The results provide support for a brief, targeted intervention to drive positive changes in attitudes and behaviour that may be sustained over time.