President Message - December 2025
November was a particularly busy month for the retirement village sector, with important developments emerging in New South Wales and across Australia. While this update focuses on NSW, changes occurring in other states can have direct implications for residents and committees, especially where operators manage villages in multiple jurisdictions.
This article outlines recent legislative and compliance updates following the introduction of the Retirement Villages Regulation 2025 (NSW), ongoing cost and insurance pressures, and emerging themes around resident wellbeing, social connection and access to services as the year draws to a close.
1. NSW Legislative and Compliance Activity – Late 2025 Update
Although the major regulatory overhaul commenced with the Retirement Villages Regulation 2025 (NSW) in September, several follow-on compliance requirements and implementation expectations have emerged during November.
Key points for residents, committees and associations:
- Annual safety & emergency-readiness documentation: NSW Fair Trading has advised operators that 2025–26 will involve targeted audits on fire safety systems, evacuation procedures, and incident reporting — with retirement villages included as a priority risk category.
- Mandatory publication of annual financial statements: Operators must now make annual financial statements available to all residents in both hardcopy and digital formats (where offered), ensuring transparency around surpluses/deficits, major cost drivers, and insurance premium changes.
- Refinement of elder-abuse prevention obligations: Operators have been encouraged to demonstrate active education programs for staff and volunteers — not just a written strategy. This includes annual refresher training and clear complaint-pathway information for residents.
- Financial governance expectations: Committees have been reminded that they may formally request sighting of supporting evidence behind capital-maintenance claims — not simply the annual summary.
Implications for residents & committees:
- Committees may wish to check whether the operator has updated the 2025–26 safety documentation and ensured that emergency procedures reflect the village’s current layout.
- Residents should ensure they have received the annual financial statement and seek clarification on any unusual cost movements — especially insurance, utilities and contracted services.
- The strengthened elder-abuse compliance environment gives committees stronger footing in requesting transparent behavioural policies and clear issue-escalation pathways.
- These November developments reinforce that operators are expected to:
- maintain transparent accounts,
- provide thorough, accessible safety information, and
- show measurable compliance actions, not just policies on paper.
2. Cost Pressures & Insurance Market Update
Insurance challenges remain a dominant issue across the sector.
Current developments:
- Some operators have reported further premium increases of 8–15% for the 2025–26 renewal cycle — particularly in coastal or bushfire-prone areas.
- A number of insurers have tightened requirements for roof condition, electrical safety certification, and proactive maintenance before offering renewal terms.
- Operators are increasingly exploring group insurance arrangements, although availability varies.
Implications for residents & committees:
- Rising premiums may flow into 2026 budgets, affecting recurrent charges. Committees may wish to request early budget drafts or explanatory notes.
- The heightened focus on asset condition strengthens the importance of reviewing remaining effective-life entries in the asset register.
- Villages that cannot demonstrate adequate preventative maintenance risk higher premiums or more exclusions — making transparent planning documents critical.
3. Resident Wellbeing, Social Connection & Digital Access
Heading into the festive season, November has seen increased activity in community wellbeing initiatives.
Sector themes this month:
- More villages have introduced mental-health awareness sessions, reflecting continued emphasis on social isolation risks among older residents.
- A rise in resident-led social committees, focusing on inclusive, culturally diverse end-of-year events.
- Increased adoption of digital noticeboards and online maintenance reporting — but with strong feedback from residents wanting parallel non-digital options.
Implications:
- Resident committees play an important role in shaping inclusive and accessible social programmes.
- Operators are being reminded to maintain service accessibility for residents who prefer or require non-digital communication options.
Read more articles in our Christmas Bulletin...
Roger Pallant
RVRA President