Group of retirees sitting at table playing cards and laughing

Every retirement village is different in terms of the services they provide, and not all are included as standard with your fees. Source: Getty

Oct 28 2019

What is a retirement village?

Retirement villages or lifestyle retirement communities are popular living options for people downsizing in their retirement.

Retirement villages are housing developments that provide independent living for retirees over 55, although some villages will have a slightly higher minimum age, and provide a low level of care and support for residents as well as on-site facilities and services.

In Australia, organisations need to abide by the Retirement Villages Act 1986 to meet the legal definition of being a retirement village.

This means most residents are 55 years or older, receive accommodation and services (that are different to the types of services provided in residential care or aged care), and at least one of the residents has paid an ingoing contribution that was not rent when entering the village, either in a lump sum or instalments.

The land also needs to be registered with the government by the landowner as a retirement village. If these conditions are met, then residents are protected by the Retirement Villages Act 1986.

“Retirement villages are housing developments that provide independent living for retirees over 55, although some villages will have a slightly higher minimum age, and provide a low level of care and support for residents as well as on-site facilities and services.”

What is a lifestyle village?

Lifestyle villages are similar to retirement villages in terms of look, feel and the types of residents, however, unlike retirement villages, in a lifestyle village the residents have more control over the activities on offer.

Residents are encouraged to create social committees and organise events, while the management simply takes care of the facilities.

Another key difference between a lifestyle village and a retirement village is that, from a legal standpoint, retirement villages are covered by the Retirement Villages Act 1986, lifestyle villages are covered by the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.

Elderly man and two older ladies sitting at table playing cards

Residents are encouraged to create social committees and organise events, while management takes care of the facilities. Source: Getty

Who lives in a retirement village?

Individual retirement villages will have their own criteria to determine who lives there, but in general retirement village, residents will be over 55 and retired from full-time work.

For couples, usually only one of you will need to meet these requirements, however it is worth checking with individual organisations.

Why do people choose to live in retirement villages?

There are a few main reasons that many Australians are drawn to retirement village living. Three of the most important reasons are:

Sense of community
Low maintenance living
Onsite services and facilities

Co-located retirement villages, where an aged-care facility is onsite or nearby the village, are also a great option for couples who may have different care needs but still want to be able to see each other daily.

Young child and grandmother playing cards at table

You can enjoy a low maintenance lifestyle and make the most of your retirement. Source: Getty

What types of services are available?

Every retirement village is different in terms of the services they provide, and not all are included as standard with your fees.

Here are just some of the facilities you might find on site:

Restaurants or Dining Halls

Restaurants and dining halls are not just for eating, they’re a great way to get out of your unit, apartment or villa and meet other residents. Some meals are even designed to support your nutrition with ingredients chosen to support healthy ageing.

Transport Shuttles

Particularly common in regional areas, many retirement villages offer a free shuttle service to the shops so you don’t need to worry about transportation.

Pools, Gyms, Tennis Courts, Golf Courses and other sports facilities

Onsite pools and gyms make it easier to stay fit and healthy.

Visiting doctors and healthcare professionals

Keeping on top of your health is made easier when regular check-ups can be done onsite.

Cleaning and personal care services

Cleaning services can help take care of day-to-day upkeep of your home so you can enjoy a low maintenance lifestyle and make the most of your retirement.