The centre was established in 2011, funded primarily by an initial seven-year grant from the Australian Research Council (ARC), with support from collaborating universities, partner organisations and the NSW government.
CEPAR was successful in securing funding for an additional seven-year term from 2017 to 2023 to undertake a new research program.
As of 2016[update], it was the only Centre of Excellence to be hosted by a Business School in Australia.
[2] CEPAR’s multidisciplinary research aims to help governments, businesses, and consumers prepare for and make better decisions for an ageing world.
[7] Current collaborating partner organisations include the University of Manchester, the University of Pennsylvania, the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, the Australian Government Departments of Social Services, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Health and Treasury, NSW Treasury, the Australian Human Rights Commission, Reserve Bank of Australia, Safe Work Australia, Willis Towers Watson, PwC, Medibank, National Australia Bank and The World Bank.