What Will Retirement Living Look Like in Australia in 2025?

Overview of New Retirement Village Developments in 2025

Multiple retirement living projects are progressing across Australia in 2025, including apartment-style complexes and land lease villages mainly aimed at active over-50s residents. These developments emphasize building communities with resort-style facilities and sustainability, reflecting evolving preferences among seniors.

Major projects consist of:

• Bella Vista Haven (Greater Sydney Hills Shire) – A master-planned community by Aveo featuring 437 apartments, including the upcoming “Corymbia” building with 83 apartments and penthouses.
• Aliria on Dean (Rockhampton, QLD) – A $32 million boutique land lease community with 57 three-bedroom architect-designed duplex homes.
• GemLife Moreton Bay (Queensland) – A land lease community notable as Australia’s first 5-star Green Star certified village highlighting sustainability.
• Vantage Bloomdale (Diggers Rest, Victoria) – A land lease village featuring a $20 million clubhouse and resort-style amenities.
• Lincoln Place Northern Rivers Lifestyle Estate (Near Yamba, NSW) – An over-50s lifestyle estate offering homes from about $545,000 with social and lifestyle facilities.

These developments demonstrate a trend toward sustainable, community-centered retirement living options that balance convenience, lifestyle, and affordability.

Pricing Information for New Retirement Villages in 2025

Prices for retirement villages vary according to location, housing type, and level of amenities provided.

Regional Land Lease Communities: Offering Spacious Dwellings

• Aliria on Dean, Rockhampton
• Prices begin around $565,000 for three-bedroom duplex homes.
• Designed to promote active lifestyles with facilities such as a clubhouse, pool, gym, pickleball court, and RV parking.
• It is one of the first land lease villages in Rockhampton in over ten years, offering a choice for those preferring regional living.
• Lincoln Place Northern Rivers Lifestyle Estate
• Homes start near $545,000 in a community with access to outdoor living, social sports like bowls and pickleball, and proximity to coastal attractions.

These pricing figures provide a general sense of entry-level costs for spacious homes in regional land lease communities.

Metropolitan Apartments with Higher Price Brackets

• Bella Vista Haven, Sydney
• The forthcoming “Corymbia” stage will include 83 apartments and penthouses; no specific prices have been disclosed publicly as of 2025.
• Amenities include indoor pools, a library, cinema, and waterfront dining venues.
• The entire village will comprise 437 apartments within nine buildings plus a 135-bed aged care centre.
• GemLife Moreton Bay
• This community showcases sustainability-driven designs such as all-electric homes and renewable power usage.
• Pricing has not been released but likely reflects the features and location within Queensland’s market.
• Vantage Bloomdale (Victoria)
• Includes land lease homes with resort-style clubhouse amenities; pricing details remain unavailable.

Established Villages with Recent Upgrades

• Aveo’s Minkara Resort (Sydney Northern Beaches) underwent a $1.5 million upgrade in 2024–25, enhancing community facilities. Pricing information was not disclosed.
• Park Meadows by Uniting at Westmead (NSW) is constructing 153 new independent living apartments expected to finish by mid-2027; pricing details are forthcoming.

Amenities and Lifestyle Features in New Retirement Communities

New retirement villages strive to support active, social, and wellness-centric lifestyles through various amenities.

Typical features include:

• Resort-style Clubhouses with bars, dining areas, cinemas, lounges, and libraries serving as communal gathering points.
• For instance, Vantage Bloomdale’s clubhouse is projected to include a games room, bar, theatre, private dining, and wellness zones.
• Sports & Fitness Facilities such as indoor and outdoor pools, gyms, yoga lawns, pickleball and tennis courts, and walking groups.
• Aliria on Dean provides pickleball courts and gym amenities.
• Seasons Mango Hill (Queensland) offers activities like aqua Zumba and Tai Chi sessions.
• Sustainability Elements in eco-friendly villages like GemLife Moreton Bay incorporate renewable energy, native landscaping supporting wildlife habitats, and electric homes aimed at lowering utility costs.
• Social and Recreational Activities encompass options like musical ensembles, aqua aerobics, arts and crafts, wine tasting, and community events designed to foster social engagement and wellbeing.

Eligibility and Purchase Process for New Retirement Villages

Typical Eligibility Requirements

• Generally intended for people aged 50 and over, catering to active over-50s demographics.
• Some villages may permit younger partners or spouses based on specific guidelines.
• Applicants typically must be mentally and financially able to enter lease or purchase agreements.
• Health assessments may be conducted to ensure adequate community support.

Purchase Methods and Agreements

• Land Lease Communities: Residents purchase their homes but lease the land, often reducing upfront costs; ongoing site fees generally apply.
• Unit or Apartment Ownership: Urban villages usually offer outright ownership of apartments or villas, with related strata or body corporate fees covering maintenance and amenities.
• Entry Contributions and Exit Fees: Retirement village contracts commonly include entry payments (purchase cost), ongoing community fees, and exit fees when departing; these are detailed in disclosure documents and regulated for transparency.

Important Considerations Before Commitment

• Carefully study the Disclosure Statement, outlining all fees, services, maintenance obligations, and resident rights.
• Understand which optional services (such as cleaning, meals, personal care) are included or available at an additional charge.
• Review the maintenance fee setup and details about the village’s Capital Works Fund, which supports long-term upkeep.

Regulatory Updates Relevant to Retirement Living in 2025

In 2025, regulatory reforms are being applied in several states, including New South Wales, to enhance transparency and consumer protections in retirement villages.

Key updates comprise:

• Retirement Villages Regulation 2025: Updated regulations improve clarity on fees, optional services, and contract conditions.
• Consumer Protections: Strengthened disclosures of fees, better terms for optional services, and improved dispute resolution processes.
• Financial and Asset Management: Promotion of best-practice asset management standards (e.g., ISO 55001/IIMM) to encourage sustainable village maintenance.
• Voting and Resident Governance: Discussions about modernized voting methods, including electronic voting options and clearer communication channels.

Summary for Those Exploring Retirement Living Options in 2025

• New villages range in price from about mid $500,000s for regional land lease homes with three bedrooms to higher prices for metropolitan apartment living.
• Communities provide various amenities supporting active and social lifestyles tailored for over-50s residents.
• Some villages focus on environmental sustainability using renewable energy and green building practices.
• Regulatory reforms offer improved consumer information and protections concerning contracts and fees.
• For the most accurate, up-to-date information on pricing and availability, prospective residents should contact developers or official village representatives directly, especially where pricing is still to be announced.

Final Thoughts

The variety of new retirement villages available across Australia in 2025 presents options suited to different tastes, budgets, and locations. Whether drawn to metropolitan apartments or regional land lease homes, these communities aim to deliver lifestyle choices backed by updated regulations and changing market demands. Prospective buyers should thoroughly review all relevant information and disclosures to make informed decisions about their retirement living arrangements.

Sources

• The Senior - New Retirement Living Choices 2025
• Property Council of Australia - Retirement Villages Regulation 2025 Submission

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