The biggest reform to the Retirement Villages Act 1986 in 40 years – What every resident and advisor should know
Wednesday, 22 April 2026
12.30pm – 1.30pm
The most significant changes to the Retirement Villages Act are coming into effect on 1 May 2026. These reforms introduce stronger protections for residents and new obligations for retirement village operators — changes that could significantly impact financial outcomes for those entering retirement living.
If you are considering retirement village living, or you advise clients who are, understanding these changes is essential before signing a contract.
Join us for an informative session where we break down the key reforms and explain what they mean in practice for residents, families, and professional advisers.
We will explore important changes including:
- How deferred management fees may affect the cost of leaving a village;
- New rules around sharing in capital gains or losses;
- When repayment entitlements must be paid after a resident exits; and
- Updates to maintenance charges and ongoing costs.
This session will provide practical insights to help you understand the new rules and make informed decisions about retirement village contracts from 1 May 2026 onward
Speaker
Colette Chrzanowski, Senior Associate - Property Law
Colette is a Senior Associate in the Property Law Team at Harwood Andrews. Prior to commencing at Harwood Andrews, Colette spent a number of years working as a commercial solicitor where she practiced in property, business and litigation. She is committed to her clients by listening to particular issues and challenges and working together to achieve the best outcome for her clients.