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
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.
SA Property Council – Submission on Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022
The Property Council together with the Retirement Living Council and Student Accommodation Council welcome the opportunity to provide a submission to the Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Act 2022 – consultation on Legislative Reform.
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
RLC welcomes Govt pledge to deliver “quality care more efficiently”
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has signalled the delivery of “quality care more efficiently” for older Australians, an initiative that has been welcomed by the Retirement Living Council (RLC).
Action required to curb declining retirement construction sentiment
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) is urging governments to streamline planning systems to unleash more housing supply in light of declining confidence in age-friendly construction activity.
Planning focus required to get ready for ageing population
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) is calling for governments across the country to ensure planning systems are ready for Australia’s ageing population, following the release of new ABS data.
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 2023.
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.
National Retirement Living Awards
The Property Council’s National Retirement Living Awards celebrate excellence and achievement across all parts of the retirement living sector.
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.
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
Industry challenges mirrored across the Tasman
An ageing population, housing supply issues and legislative reform aren’t just challenges being faced by Australia’s retirement living sector – they’re happening in New Zealand, too.
Chief Executive | Planning systems not ‘retirement ready’ in face of silver tsunami
The new Housing Minister Clare O’Neil met with her state and territory counterparts yesterday.
Over a year for most retirement villages to be assessed
A new report card reveals two thirds of retirement village development applications around Australia take more than 365 days to be assessed, while the country ages and housing supply remains tight.
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.