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Objectives: Critical care admission is a pivotal juncture for older patients undergoing surgery. We aimed to identify the in‐hospital and postdischarge outcomes of older postsurgical patients (≥65 years) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: We collected clinical, morbidity and survival data on all patients aged ≥65 years postsurgically admitted to a tertiary metropolitan ICU between 2014 and 2019. Results: Within this older cohort (n = 370), the oldest patients (≥85 years) had the highest 1‐year mortality (RR: 4.00; P < 0.001). Major surgery (RR: 5.67; P < 0.001), emergency surgery (RR: 2.89; P < 0.001) and APACHE III score ≥50 (RR: 2.63; P < 0.001) were associated with reduced 1‐year survival. Conclusions: APACHE III score and surgery subtype are strong predictors of post‐ICU mortality and may be useful to preoperatively stratify whether surgery and subsequent ICU admission are in patients' best interests. These data may also inform prospective discussions regarding end‐of‐life care and advanced care planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]