Sharp rise in types of financial elder abuse
Being robbed of real estate by a loved one or good friend is not what older Queenslanders expect when they provide a roof over someone's head. Yet Queensland Public Trustee (QPT) recently acted in two cases involving seniors at risk of losing their homes to people close to them.
The latest elder abuse data indicates they are not alone.
UnitingCare's Elder Abuse Prevention Unit, which operates the Queensland Government's Elder Abuse Helpline, analyses calls to the service. It found calls about older Queenslanders being pressured to transfer assets – typically property – increased in the past two financial years, compared to the two previous years.
There was also a sharp rise in calls in 2024–25 about seniors being coerced to invest in an alleged abuser's property.
| Abuse type | 2020–21 | 2021–22 | 2022–23 | 2023–24 | 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asset transfer | 92 | 60 | 62 | 94 | 89 |
| Coerced to gift | 278 | 313 | 319 | 320 | 319 |
| Failure to repay loans | 135 | 135 | 153 | 148 | 109 |
| Failure to return assets | 35 | 65 | 53 | 45 | 37 |
| Coerced to guarantor loans | 10 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Coerced to invest | 55 | 74 | 43 | 36 | 67 |
| Table shows reported cases of financial abuse committed by family members and friends who act as family member. Source : UnitingCare, December 2025 | |||||
Property wealth may make seniors an abuse target
Samay Zhouand, the Public Trustee of Queensland, said several factors may make older Queenslanders' property a target for bad actors.
"Inheritance impatience has been a hot topic, with experts attributing increasing elder abuse cases in part to a rising number of adult children who feel entitled to their parents' assets," he said.
Another factor could be increased incidence of multi-generational homes, the Public Trustee suggested, as the rising cost of living and high demand for aged care services meant families entered into informal cohabitation agreements, including those that exchange accommodation for maintenance or care.
"Both types of cohabitation, if not clearly documented, can risk confusion and disputes over property ownership," he said.
QPT recently acted in two cases that highlight the risks older people may face when they trust people close to them with their property, particularly where there is no written agreement or clear limits placed on their attorney's powers within an enduring power of attorney document.
In Brian's case*, QPT acted on his behalf to fight a claim brought by an acquaintance to have a financial interest in Brian's property.
In Susan's case*, QPT successfully took legal action to ensure a property bought with Susan's money by the person she appointed her attorney for financial matters under an enduring power of attorney was transferred solely into Susan's name. QPT also won a judgment for the return of hundreds of thousands of dollars of Susan's funds that had been spent by the attorney.
Enduring power of attorney as an elder abuse shield
The Public Trustee of Queensland acknowledged that such legal cases could be long and expensive.
"I encourage everyone to put any accommodation agreement they may make with a friend or family member in writing, ideally after seeking personalised legal advice, and to continue documenting expenditure, such as who is paying bills and for property maintenance," Mr Zhouand said. "That can help make the terms of the arrangement clear, should a dispute arise."
The Public Trustee said misuse of an older person's property or funds by their own attorney for financial matters could occur due to ill intent or because the attorney did not fully understand their obligations to act in the principal's best interest.
"A well-constructed enduring power of attorney document, made in consultation with a solicitor, can help prevent both issues by clearly setting out the principal's wishes, putting limits on the attorney's powers and ensuring their actions are scrutinised," he said. "The Elder Abuse Helpline can help if you feel your property is under threat from someone close to you."
QPT has a free factsheet on strategies for constructing a robust enduring power of attorney for the appointment of a financial attorney.
You can also read more general information about preventing financial elder abuse. Call the Elder Abuse Helpline on 1300 651 192.
*Names and some details changed for privacy