The 2026 Property Council Retirement Outlook explored key themes in Victoria’s retirement living sector. Areas such as risks, issues, opportunities and lessons from other jurisdictions were discussed, and Centennial Living was delighted to take part in the key discussions.
Centennial Living’s Derek McMillan moderated the panel on the day, with keynote speakers;
- Domenic Fonte – CEO AssetFuture
- Donna Rayner – Principal Russell Kennedy
- Naomi Liner – Chief Legal, Risk and Compliance Officer TigCorp
- Liz Hickey – Chief Retirement Living Officer, VMCH
What to Expect in 2026 – Retirement Living Sector
The panel discussed the current socio-economic situations that benefited the Retirement Village sector in Australia, such as the potential for new developments to thrive and the increasing demand for well-located, well-run retirement villages.
- Last year, there were 2.1m Australians aged 75 and over, of which about 10% were living in retirement communities.
- In 10 years’ time, there will be 3.2m Australians aged 75 years and over, a net increase of 300 people per day
- If the same proportion of these people were to live in a retirement village, then we would need to build one new village every week to house them.
New Legislative Reforms for Retirement Villages in Victoria
With the new legislative changes coming into effect on the 1st of May 2026, the panel discussed how retirement village operators can best navigate the regulatory challenges ahead.
Some changes from the new Retirement Village Regulations include;
- Contractual Changes
- Reforms to Fees and Charges
- Village Operational Changes
- Dispute Resolution
- Code of Practise
The discussion provided valuable insights from key industry players on the potential issues the retirement village sector may face in 2026. Despite the challenges village operators may face under the new legislation, there is potential to create a stronger value proposition for current and future village residents.
At Centennial Living, providing a retirement experience where residents can feel at ease and connected, and enjoy life in a safe village, has always been a priority. We believe that building a community where residents’ wellbeing comes first is the key to success in an ever-changing industry.
