In carrying out its role the Policy Council will:

• Identify state and national issues for policy focus and determine priorities for policy responses.
• Develop and implement effective ways of engaging a wide range of older people (including individual and organisational members) in the policy work.
• Determine policies based on analysis of input from older people, research and dialogue, and in accordance with the mission and policy principles.
• Develop strategies for developing and advancing COTA policy agendas.
• Work in collaboration with COTA Australia on national policy issues.
• Represent and advocate policy, and provide leadership and expertise on ageing issues, to decision makers and centres of influence, and to the community generally.
• Conduct an annual conference as a focal point for engaging members and other stakeholders in advancing COTA policy agendas.
• Maintain a register of policy positions adopted by COTA