The Retirement Living Council (RLC) is the national leadership group for the retirement living sector, championing policies that deliver age-friendly homes and better services in retirement communities across Australia.
The RLC sits within the Property Council’s national advocacy team and is the most powerful voice of the sector, representing for-profit and not-for-profit owners and operators of retirement villages and seniors’ living communities.
It represents members on issues of national significance, such as housing, planning, health and tax advocacy, as well as village accreditation and the Retirement Living Code of Conduct.
Importantly, the RLC plays an active role telling the industry’s story and helps deliver better housing that leads to better health outcomes for more than 249,000 older Australians who call one of these communities ‘home’.
Campaigns & Submissions
Removing rightsizing roadblocks
Australia is facing an unprecedented crisis: a rapidly ageing population, a chronic housing supply deficit, and a struggling healthcare system.
Statement to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee
We broadly welcome the Australian government’s aged care reforms through the Aged Care Bill and support the government’s aim to put the individual at the centre of the aged care system through a rights-based framework.
ABC stories on retirement sector cross the reporting line to activist journalism
The ABC’s campaign against the retirement living sector – detailed below – is clearly in breach of the ABC’s Editorial Policies, Principles and Standards, particularly in relation to impartiality and the requirement to provide a diversity of perspectives.
Reports you can buy
Better Housing for Better Health
This first of its kind report outlines the industry’s contribution to housing, healthcare and the 250,000 people who live in age-friendly communities across Australia.
Price: $4,999
PwC-Property Council Retirement Census 2023 Data report
The annual Retirement Census is the most comprehensive aggregated data source about retirement villages in Australia. The Retirement Census for 2023 spans from January to December of that year, encompassing CY23.
Price: $1,500
A wise move
The RLC maintains a dedicated website to explain retirement villages and the services they offer.
Upcoming Events
Retirement Living statistics
Source: Better Housing for Better Health (2023), 2023 PwC / Property Council Retirement Census (2023).
Our priorities for Retirement Living
With the number of Australians aged over 75 set to increase from two million currently to 3.4 million by 2040, there are several key priorities that are central to our advocacy.
Focus areas of ours include increasing the supply of age friendly communities to meet demand as our population ages, while also highlighting the potential of the retirement living sector to help ease the burden on the healthcare system due to the growing care needs of the growing cohort of older Australians.
We are working to educate political stakeholders and the wider community on the benefits for older Australians when they live in a retirement village, and the positive flow on effect this has for the broader community, while we are also working with governments across the country to ensure a balanced approach to ongoing reforms of legislation that guide the sector.
Latest media releases
‘Rightsizing’ reforms key to unlocking 59,000 homes
Ahead of the Federal Election, the Retirement Living Council (RLC) is urging major parties to tackle the housing crisis by unlocking more than 59,000 homes through two key reforms.
Cairns Council “cash grab” shows no compassion for older Australians
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) is calling on Cairns Regional Council to abandon its “cash grab plan” to increase rates for retirement village residents during the cost of living crisis, with fixed income pensioners in the firing line.
Wendy Taylor-Dowson wins WA Retirement Village Salesperson of the Year
Empathy and relationship-building are Wendy Taylor-Dowson’s crucial first steps in understanding what retirees want when they search for a new home in a retirement village – values that have earned her the WA Salesperson of the Year title.
Retirement Living Code of Conduct
The Retirement Living Code of Conduct is a commitment to high standards and ensuring that residents have the experience they deserve.
The Property Council Retirement Census
The annual Property Council Retirement Census is the most comprehensive aggregated data source about retirement villages in Australia.
Not a member yet?
Find out how you can join us and access the benefits for your people today.
Retirement Living Division Council
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) is Australia’s national leadership group representing the retirement living sector, championing policies that support more investment in age-friendly communities. The RLC is powered forward by its Division Council, representing private and not-for-profit owners and operators across the country.
As Australia’s preeminent industry voice, the RLC champions the growth and sustainability of retirement living, affordable housing options for senior Australians, advocating for fair and balanced regulation, ensuring best practices, providing strong industry leadership, and showcasing excellence.
Committee members are appointed for a two-year term, with the current Committees commencing their tenure in February 2025.
Resources
The Retirement Living Council publishes a suite of reports and helpful resources to help guide practice in the retirement living sector.
ARVAS Accreditation Scheme
The Australian Retirement Village Accreditation Scheme (ARVAS) is the main accreditation scheme for retirement village and seniors housing operators in Australia.
Retirement Living Management Capability Model
The Retirement Living Management Capability Model is an original sector-wide model that articulates the technical and behavioural management capabilities that would be expected of high performing retirement village sales professionals and village managers.
Awards
For almost 40 years, the Property Council of Australia has hosted the industry’s most prestigious awards. As champions of our industry we celebrate and reward excellence. Winning a Property Council award means truly being at the top of your game.
Innovation & Excellence Awards
The annual Property Council of Australia/Rider Levett Bucknall Innovation & Excellence Awards are the most prominent property awards in Australia, promoting excellence in design and innovation in the built environment since 1982.
National Retirement Living Awards
The Property Council’s National Retirement Living Awards celebrate excellence and achievement across all parts of the retirement living sector.
Upcoming Academy courses
Comprising workshops, online learning and industry diploma courses, our Academy provides the resources to enhance the professional lives of our members. It's a professional development platform with something for everyone.
Latest news
‘Rightsizing’ reforms key to unlocking 59,000 homes
Ahead of the Federal Election, the Retirement Living Council is urging major parties to tackle the housing crisis by unlocking more than 59,000 homes through two key reforms.
The Federal Budget: what you need to know
Get the essential highlights and insights from last night’s Federal Budget and what it means for our industry.
Uncertainty and concern clouds new Aged Care Act
The Retirement Living Council is calling on the Commonwealth to delay the rollout of the new Aged Care Act as the industry remains in the dark – and alarmed – over impending changes.
Videos
The Retirement Living Council YouTube is a great resource to relive our events, learn about industry initiatives and more.
Corporate Partners
Corporate Partners are member companies that partner with us to sponsor events, programs or campaigns.
We are deeply grateful to our Corporate Partners for their contributions. These partnerships enable us to deliver quality work and experiences for our members, which in turn benefits the entire Retirement Living industry.