Former Department of Health Secretary and Calvary Health Care chief executive Martin Bowles AO PSM has been appointed Chair of For Purpose Aged Care Australia (FPACA), bringing almost 40 years of public service and healthcare leadership experience to the role.
Mr Bowles, who led the Department of Health from 2014 to 2017 before heading national not-for-profit provider Calvary Health Care from 2017 to 2025, takes the position as FPACA embarks on a new three-year growth strategy.
He will work with the organisation to strengthen its operations, expand its residential aged care footprint and improve care for residents and their families.
During his time as Department of Health Secretary, Bowles oversaw reforms spanning aged care, primary healthcare, mental health and hospital funding. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2019 for distinguished service to public administration.
FPIP Executive Chair Michael Traill, who served as interim FPACA Chair from June 2026, said Bowles brought valuable experience from both government and the not-for-profit sector.
He said the appointment would support the organisation’s next phase of growth, combining financial discipline with a strong commitment to care.
Mr Bowles said he was attracted to FPACA’s model, which combines not-for-profit care delivery with long-term investment.
He said strong governance and the capacity to invest were critical to ensuring care workers had the resources and support needed to deliver quality services.
FPACA Group CEO Matthew Filocamo said Mr Bowles joined as the organisation began implementing its FY2027–29 strategy, focused on strengthening its workforce, technology and model of care.
The appointment comes as FPACA prepares to open South Bunbury Community Aged Care in Western Australia this month, its 17th home.
The organisation currently cares for more than 2,000 residents across 16 homes in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia.
FPACA said it built 450 of the 1,700 new residential aged care beds added nationally in 2024–25 and has more than 500 additional beds in development.
Projects include new homes at South Bunbury in Western Australia, Nerang in Queensland and Rowville in Victoria.
Its new strategy aims to support further expansion into communities experiencing shortages of residential aged care places while strengthening the organisation’s existing services.
