By Daniel Gannon

In Australia’s retirement living sector, we want to see quality all-round, all the time, in all villages, across all jurisdictions, and our goal is very much intentional

We know quality equates to happier, healthier communities and satisfied residents living peacefully and to high levels of satisfaction within them.

Good news
In fact, our 2023 Better Housing for Better Health report shows people living in retirement villages are 41 per cent happier, 15 per cent more physically active, twice as likely to catch up with family and friends, and five times more socially active.

Incredibly, retirement communities also reduce the likelihood of hospitalisation by almost 20 per cent in a resident’s first nine months in a village.

Higher standards are important
At the end of the day, there is nothing more important than the health and well-being of residents.

This was erroneously called into question last year by the ABC, yet there are still levers operators can pull to ensure higher standards.

That’s why the Retirement Living Council (RLC) Code of Conduct - and this new push to see more village operators sign up to higher standards – is so crucial.

The Code promotes and protects resident rights and is a universal benchmark for promoting best practice for operators. It’s a win-win.

The Code lifts standards, builds trust, and enhances the reputation of retirement villages across our sector. We know our net promoter score is already very high (+44), but we’re not satisfied with this level.

Credibility and trust are crucial – and villages that sign up will enhance their own reputation and quality, work that ultimately lifts us all.

New low cost fee
Knowing that wider uptake of the Code will present great value for the sector, the RLC has adjusted its fee structure this year to reduce barriers to entry, encourage uptake, and allow villages to experience the benefits of the Code for themselves – benefits that flow directly on to residents.

The new subscriber introductory fee offer – valid until 1 November 2025 and including GST – will cost $100 per village, $1.50 per unit (ILU), with a $50 application fee per village.

Existing subscribers also save with renewal costing $125 per village and $2 per ILU.

Learn more and sign up for the Code here. 

The Code of Conduct – it’s Code for quality – is an industry initiative, developed and endorsed by the RLC and ACCPA.

The Code is a framework that helps operators provide a trustworthy and high-quality service for those living in, and considering moving into, a retirement community.

When it comes to making the decision to move into a village, prospective residents must have all the facts laid out in front of them in a way that is easy to understand. (If processes are consumer-unfriendly, change your processes).

The Code prioritises fairness in marketing and sales practices, transparent procedures when residents move out and promotes good relationships with residents and stakeholders.

We’ve also ensured there is a strong emphasis on improving the handling of complaints and reaching resolutions in disputes.

Fun fact: It’s estimated that about 250,000 people from across the country call a retirement village home – that equates to almost 13 per cent of all Australians over the age of 75.

Every year this number grows because more ageing Australians realise just how good the retirement village lifestyle is.

And we want more people to enjoy a quality service and experience, and that’s why the Code of Conduct is in place – it helps maintain exceptional standards all the time.

Ultimately, our goal is to see every single retirement village across the country united under the Code of Conduct. Currently, almost 40 per cent of villages are code compliant.

If we lift our sector’s coverage, standards increase even further. That can only be a good thing.

For these reasons, we encourage operators, industry participants, residents, prospective residents, and interested stakeholders to support the Code.

Invest in quality today for a better tomorrow. After all, quality is never an accident – it’s a habit.

It’s important. Sign up.