COTA NSW
COTA NSW is a nonprofit peak body, founded in 1956, that advocates for people aged 50+ in New South Wales through policy research, community events, free membership, and educational publications. It is primarily funded by a five-year NSW government grant and serves older adults across metropolitan and regional NSW.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1956
- HeadquartersSydney, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What COTA NSW does
COTA NSW (Council on the Ageing New South Wales) is a nonprofit advocacy organization and registered charity that has operated since 1956 as the peak body for people aged 50 and over in New South Wales, Australia. Its core functions are policy research and advocacy, community engagement, and educational content production on issues including ageism, loneliness, elder abuse, climate change impacts on older people, healthcare access, and financial vulnerability. The organization delivers a portfolio of free services: a free membership program with access to events, webinars, and community connection opportunities; monthly email newsletters; in-person and online events including NSW Seniors Festival programming; an expanding content library including the 50+ Reports research series, the Breaking Taboos podcast, and publications such as The Little Book of Good Things and The Little Book of Savings; plus an A-Z resource directory and elder abuse information resources.
The business model is grant- and donation-funded rather than commercial. The primary revenue stream is a five-year government funding renewal from the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, supplemented by one-off and recurring public donations and bequests. There is no priced product, subscription, or transaction revenue; membership is free and the organization explicitly operates a freemium access model. GTM is direct-to-consumer through a website-driven sign-up form, multi-channel marketing (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, email newsletters, earned media, podcasts, videos, events, expos), and partnership-mediated distribution via a quarterly community bulletin to service providers and venue/event partnerships (e.g., Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts). Customers in the funder sense are the NSW Department of Communities and Justice as the primary enterprise funder and corporate partners such as Bunnings; beneficiaries are the 50+ population of NSW across diverse sub-segments including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, CALD communities, LGBTIQA+ older people, people with disability, older carers, and regional/rural communities.
The operating footprint is small with approximately four core staff (CEO, Policy and Research Lead, Communications Lead, Operations Manager/EA), supported by an eleven-person Board of Directors with substantial governance experience across government, finance, aged care, and community services. COTA NSW does not develop or use proprietary technology products; its technology surface is standard nonprofit digital infrastructure. In 2025 the organization received parliamentary recognition, launched The Little Book of Good Things at NSW Parliament House, and assumed a new Secretariat role for Ageing Peak organisations in the state alongside its five-year funding renewal.
COTA NSW firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- COTA NSW
- Legal name
- Council on the Ageing New South Wales
- Website
- https://cotansw.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1956
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- COTA NSW is a nonprofit peak body, founded in 1956, that advocates for people aged 50+ in New South Wales through policy research, community events, free membership, and educational publications. It is primarily funded by a five-year NSW government grant and serves older adults across metropolitan and regional NSW.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
COTA NSW industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Senior Advocacy and Ageing Policy Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF)
Keywords
Where COTA NSW is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sydney
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
COTA NSW business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Government Funding: COTA NSW receives five-year funding renewal from the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. This government funding supports their advocacy work, research initiatives, and community programs for older people in NSW.
- Donations and Bequests: The organization accepts one-off and regular donations from the public. They also encourage leaving gifts in Wills as a way to support their mission into the future.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free Membership - Full access to all member benefits |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
COTA NSW product offering
Product offeringCore offering
COTA NSW operates free membership and advocacy services for people aged 50 and over in New South Wales, Australia. Its core offerings include a free membership program, monthly newsletters, in-person and online events and webinars, the "50+ Reports" research publications series, podcasts and educational videos, and resource directories connecting older people to aged care, mental health, legal and elder abuse support services. The organization influences state and federal ageing policy on behalf of its members and produces evidence-based research on issues such as ageism, loneliness, and climate change impacts on older adults.
Product overview
COTA NSW is a not-for-profit advocacy organization that serves as the peak body for people aged 50+ in NSW. Rather than a technology product, it offers a suite of membership services, publications, and community programs. The core offerings include free membership providing access to events, newsletters, and advocacy opportunities; research publications (the 50+ Reports series) covering topics like loneliness, climate change, and housing; educational resources including videos, webinars, and the Breaking Taboos podcast series; and publications like 'The Little Book of Good Things' and 'The Little Book of Savings'. The organization also provides elder abuse information, mental health resources, and an A-Z help directory. All services are free and focused on advocacy, information sharing, and community support for older people.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- COTA NSW Membership Free membership program for people aged 50+ in NSW providing access to events, monthly newsletters, research publications, advocacy opportunities, and community connection activities.
- Events and Webinars Program Free in-person and online events held across NSW and via Zoom covering topics such as scams awareness, mental health, healthcare navigation, exercise, retirement planning and ageism, often featuring expert speakers and panel discussions.
- Research and Reports (50+ Reports) Evidence-based research publication series (50+ Reports) on issues affecting older people in NSW, including the State of the Older Nation (SOTON), Voices of Solitude (loneliness), Weathering the Storm (climate change), and reports on ageism, housing insecurity and ageing experiences.
- Monthly Newsletter Monthly email e-newsletters providing members and supporters with updates on COTA NSW news, advocacy work, events and information relevant to older people in NSW.
- The Little Book of Good Things Publication showcasing resilience, creativity and energy of older Australians through individual stories, launched at NSW Parliament House by the Minister for Seniors, demonstrating that later life is a time for growth, connection and purpose.
- The Little Book of Savings Brochure with tips, offers and discounts designed to help older adults in NSW make the most of their money and live well with confidence.
- Breaking Taboos Podcast A ten-part podcast series exploring ageing and mental health through the honest experiences of older Australians, discussing topics including depression, loneliness, grief and stigma.
- Elder Abuse Information and Support Information and resources on recognising different forms of elder abuse (emotional, physical, financial, social, sexual and neglect) with guidance on where to seek help, including helpline details.
- Equitable Ageing Initiative Advocacy program promoting policies and systems that support equitable ageing, recognising differences in how people experience ageing based on health, income, culture, gender, sexuality and circumstances.
- Where to Get Help Directory A-Z resource directory connecting older people with support services including advocacy, aged care, elder abuse helplines, mental health, housing, legal advice and exercise programs.
- Community Bulletin for Service Providers Free quarterly bulletin distributed to community sector workers (caseworkers, support officers, volunteer coordinators, program leads) keeping them informed about ageing policy, research, sector news and COTA NSW advocacy priorities.
Quantifiable outcome
- 62% of older people had been treated differently because of their age (2025 Ageism in NSW report)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use COTA NSW
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
COTA NSW technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
COTA NSW partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- BunningscoreBunnings supported the production and distribution of The Little Book of Good Things publication. Bunnings has approximately 30% of store team members aged 50 and over and 14% aged 60 and over. The partnership showcases older workers making meaningful contributions and supports age-positive employment practices.
- Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts (SMSA)coreSMSA hosts COTA NSW events including the AGM and NSW Seniors Festival series. Venue partnership for in-person events, webinars, and community gatherings at their city center location.
- National Anti-Scam Centre / ScamWatchcorePartnership for Stop. Better Safe than Scammed events and awareness campaigns. COTA NSW CEO participated in National Anti-Scam Centre video campaign during Scams Awareness Week. Joint initiative addressing scams targeting older Australians.
- NSW HealthcoreNSW Health partnered on Let's Talk About Mental Health webinar for Mental Health Month, along with Department of Communities and Justice. Supports COTA NSW's health and wellbeing programming for older people.
- Department of Communities and JusticecoreGovernment department provides five-year funding renewal to COTA NSW. Also partnered on mental health webinar and broader ageing policy initiatives.
- Relationships Australia NSWsupportingPartnership for Connections: Nurturing Positive Relationships event. CEO Elisabeth Shaw participated in panel discussion on social connections and wellbeing in later life.
- Age Discrimination CommissionercoreCommissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM provided foreword for The Little Book of Good Things and delivered keynote at Shining a Light on Ageism event. Ongoing collaboration on ageism awareness and advocacy.
- Elder Abuse Action AustraliasupportingCOTA NSW CEO Gohar Yazdabadi featured as guest speaker for webinar hosted by Elder Abuse Action Australia exploring the intersection of ageism, loneliness, and elder abuse.
- NSW Government (Minister for Seniors)coreOngoing engagement with NSW Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison MP, who launched The Little Book of Good Things and opened NSW Seniors Festival events. Government partnership for ageing policy advocacy.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves1 record
Expansion highlights5 records
COTA NSW competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Strengths4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
COTA NSW social profiles
Digital presenceCOTA NSW financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
COTA NSW leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
COTA NSW funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
COTA NSW M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about COTA NSW
What does COTA NSW do?
COTA NSW operates free membership and advocacy services for people aged 50 and over in New South Wales, Australia. Its core offerings include a free membership program, monthly newsletters, in-person and online events and webinars, the "50+ Reports" research publications series, podcasts and educational videos, and resource directories connecting older people to aged care, mental health, legal and elder abuse support services. The organization influences state and federal ageing policy on behalf of its members and produces evidence-based research on issues such as ageism, loneliness, and climate change impacts on older adults.
Is COTA NSW a public or private company?
COTA NSW is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was COTA NSW founded?
COTA NSW was founded in 1956. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is COTA NSW based?
COTA NSW is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does COTA NSW make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and Bequests.
Does COTA NSW have an API?
No public API is recorded for COTA NSW.
What industry is COTA NSW in?
COTA NSW's product category is Senior Advocacy and Ageing Policy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAF, Elder Services & Aging Support. Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8600.