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. The RLC sits within the Property Council’s national advocacy team and is the most powerful voice of the sector, representing national retirement village and senior living community operators.
We represent members on issues of national significance, such as tax advocacy, village accreditation and wider industry reform like the Retirement Living Code of Conduct. We manage a national research agenda for the sector, and work with state Divisions to help coordinate local retirement living advocacy, village manager training and industry education. We also play an active role telling the industry’s story – which now includes more than 249,000 Australian retirees.
We’re excited and energised by the opportunities for the industry and feel enormous pride for the work we do to create a better future for ageing Australians.
Campaigns & Submissions
RLC submission – Aged Care Bill 2023 Exposure draft
The RLC broadly welcomes the Australian government’s aged care reforms through the draft Aged Care Bill 2023 (the Bill) and understands the government’s aim to put the individual at the centre of the aged care system through a rights-based framework.
Shared Care
The Retirement Living Council presents this important report and commend it to industry, consumers and governments around Australia: Shared Care.
RLC submission – Inquiry on improving consumer experiences, choice, and outcomes in Australia’s retirement system
The RLC welcomes the opportunity to respond to this timely inquiry into consumer experiences in retirement.
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), 2022 PwC / Property Council Retirement Census (2022).
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
Healthier, happier retirement communities can reduce hospitalisations
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) welcomes the findings of the Australian Medical Association’s (AMA) annual Public Hospital Report Card as an important reminder for governments across the country about the health benefits of retirement living.
Retirement living construction activity forecast to grow while nation ages
As the country faces a rapidly approaching silver tsunami of older Australians and an ongoing housing crisis, retirement living construction activity levels are forecast to continue to lead the way in Australia.
Aged Care Act delay provides Govt opportunity to get it right
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) welcomes the Australian Government’s decision to delay the commencement date of the new Aged Care Act.
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
‘Opportunity to get it right’: Aged Care Act delayed
The Australian Government has decided to delay the Aged Care Act to take more time to listen to feedback on its draft form.
‘All about the residents’: Village Manger of the Year award winners crowned
From North Queensland to the NSW Central Coast, professionals within the retirement living sector have been honoured with prestigious Programmed Village Manager of the Year awards.
Home care reform needed to support Australia’s ‘silver tsunami’
The Retirement Living Council is urging the Australian Government to draw on the power of retirement communities by reimagining how it funds and delivers home care services to older Australians.
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.