The issue Retirement Villages are a significant form of housing for older Victorians. Across the state, around 30,000 people live in more than 350 retirement villages. Often, older women make the move into retirement housing after the loss of a partner – a time of grief, stress and pressure that can hinder informed decision-making. This […]
We welcome Consumer Affairs Victoria’s (CAV) interest in improving internal dispute resolution processes in retirement villages, and believe that the reforms suggested will likely result in some improvement. However, we maintain that a root-and-branch review of retirement village regulation is needed. Without significant reform of retirement village regulation, as recommended by the Parliamentary Inquiry into
The Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action), Council on the Ageing Victoria (COTA), Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG), Justice Connect (Seniors Law) and Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria (RRVV), welcome the opportunity to contribute to the parliamentary inquiry into the retirement housing sector. Our respective organisations work both independently and jointly to further
Download full submission as PDF COTA Victoria and SRV welcome the opportunity to contribute to the next stage of the review of the Retirement Villages Act 1986 (the Act). We are particularly pleased that the Victorian Government is continuing with this long overdue reform and providing further opportunity for feedback on the Exposure Draft Bill
It’s been almost two decades since the last comprehensive review of Victoria’s Retirement Villages Act 1986. COTA Victoria, along with organisations like Housing Action for the Aged and Residents of Retirement Village Victoria, has long campaigned for improvements to the Act. The Department of Justice and Community Safety is now reviewing the Act, with the
COTA Victoria regularly receives phone calls and emails from older people with worries about retirement villages. Their concerns include: contracts and fee structures that are complex and confusing difficulty seeking a refund of ongoing contributions when leaving a retirement village younger people and families living in villages designed for older people confusion about the differences
NOTE THAT COTA HAS PUBLISHED A SEPARATE EXTENSIVE MEDIA RELEASE ON THE AGED CARE REFORM PACKAGE “RESPECT, CARE, DIGNITY” HERE Older Australians will benefit from several measures in the Federal Budget aimed at increasing workforce participation and fixing retirement incomes, Council on the Ageing (COTA) Australia says, but support for vulnerable groups like renters is
Download full submission as PDF The current review as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to overhaul the regulatory framework for retirement villages in Victoria. We have the chance to future-proof this legislation, and lead the nation in terms of retirement village regulation, which will enhance resident confidence in the sector. We see the Options Paper as a
There are enduring ramifications of moving into a retirement village. This is why the long-awaited Victorian Government review of the Victorian Retirement Villages Act (RVA) 1986 is so important. Many people attracted to the ‘lifestyle’ and amenities of a retirement village sell their family home and move into a smaller residence to feel safe, maintain
Looking for resources about housing options for older people? This page provides information on different housing options for older people and organisations related to housing, including eligibility, applications and contact details. Jump to a section: Aged Care Homes | Homeshare Australia and NZ Alliance | Residential Parks and Moveable Dwellings | Retirement Villages | Rural
Submission: Retirement Living Council Retirement Living Code of Conduct This written submission is provided by Consumer Action Law Centre (Consumer Action), Residents of Retirement Villages Victoria (RRVV), Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) and COTA Victoria (COTA Vic). The need to address widespread problems in the retirement housing industry is long overdue. We welcome
Working with older people to advocate for policy change has always been an important part of COTA Victoria’s work. Former senior policy officer, Donna Swan, worked in the COTA Victoria policy team for seven years. We asked for her reflections on the importance and impact of COTA Victoria’s policy work during that time. During her
