The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has expressed disappointment with the Australian government's FY25 Budget, stating that it fails to address the housing needs of a large cohort of older Australians and the challenges associated with age-friendly accommodation and care.
RLC Executive Director Daniel Gannon said, "This is a budget that focuses on the housing needs of some Australians but forgets about a large cohort of older people and challenges associated with age-friendly accommodation and care."
He highlighted the projected 70 per cent increase in the number of people aged over 75 by 2040, emphasising the need for governments to prioritise housing solutions for this "silver tsunami".
Mr Gannon criticised the government's silence on the exclusion of purpose-built seniors' housing from the Prime Minister's 1.2 million new homes target and the lack of response to the Aged Care Taskforce recommendations.
"Given the government is the judge, jury and executioner of this Taskforce and having already had five months to consider their own findings, noncommunication signals one of two things: it's either bad news for consumers or it's bad news for operators. But until we hear from the government, both parties remain in the dark," he said.
Mr Gannon stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, "The unfortunate reality is that Australians aren't getting any younger, and every day that passes without a plan to appropriately and affordably house and care for older Australians is a missed opportunity."
The RLC has recommended that the government include units in retirement communities as a key delivery component of the Housing Accord target to build 1.2 million new homes nationwide by 2029.
Increasing the number of retirement communities would not only provide age-friendly and care-focused accommodation for older Australians but also inject existing homes back into the market for younger buyers and growing families.
With the government's own National Housing Supply and Affordability Council forecasting a 300,000-home shortfall against its target, the 67,000 retirement dwellings required to maintain existing market demand could close that gap by 22 per cent.
Mr Gannon called for the government to rectify the ongoing exclusion of retirement community units from the Accord target, describing it as a "very simple fix that can be addressed with a laptop and a bullet point."
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has expressed disappointment with the Australian government's FY25 Budget, stating that it fails to address the housing needs of a large cohort of older Australians and the challenges associated with age-friendly accommodation and care.
RLC Executive Director Daniel Gannon said, "This is a budget that focuses on the housing needs of some Australians but forgets about a large cohort of older people and challenges associated with age-friendly accommodation and care."
He highlighted the projected 70 per cent increase in the number of people aged over 75 by 2040, emphasising the need for governments to prioritise housing solutions for this "silver tsunami".
Mr Gannon criticised the government's silence on the exclusion of purpose-built seniors' housing from the Prime Minister's 1.2 million new homes target and the lack of response to the Aged Care Taskforce recommendations.
![Retirement Living Council criticises Budget for neglecting seniors' housing needs](https://res.cloudinary.com/momentum-media-group-pty-ltd/image/upload/v1715879871/pexels-kindelmedia-8172287_w1hav5.jpg)
"Given the government is the judge, jury and executioner of this Taskforce and having already had five months to consider their own findings, noncommunication signals one of two things: it's either bad news for consumers or it's bad news for operators. But until we hear from the government, both parties remain in the dark," he said.
Mr Gannon stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, "The unfortunate reality is that Australians aren't getting any younger, and every day that passes without a plan to appropriately and affordably house and care for older Australians is a missed opportunity."
The RLC has recommended that the government include units in retirement communities as a key delivery component of the Housing Accord target to build 1.2 million new homes nationwide by 2029.
Increasing the number of retirement communities would not only provide age-friendly and care-focused accommodation for older Australians but also inject existing homes back into the market for younger buyers and growing families.
With the government's own National Housing Supply and Affordability Council forecasting a 300,000-home shortfall against its target, the 67,000 retirement dwellings required to maintain existing market demand could close that gap by 22 per cent.
Mr Gannon called for the government to rectify the ongoing exclusion of retirement community units from the Accord target, describing it as a "very simple fix that can be addressed with a laptop and a bullet point."
![Retirement Living Council urges government to implement urgent home care reforms as waitlist doubles](https://res.cloudinary.com/momentum-media-group-pty-ltd/image/upload/v1718254953/pexels-huy-phan-316220-1377070_1_kv7hix.jpg)
Retirement
Retirement Living Council urges government to implement urgent home care reforms as waitlist doubles
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) is calling on the Australian Government to implement urgent home care reforms, following new data revealing that the number of Australians approved for a home care ...Read more
![Retirees face dilemma in supporting children amid housing affordability crisis, AMP research finds](https://res.cloudinary.com/momentum-media-group-pty-ltd/image/upload/v1717385722/Ben_Hillier_AMP_1_ewkjin.jpg)
Retirement
Retirees face dilemma in supporting children amid housing affordability crisis, AMP research finds
New research from AMP has revealed that four in five Australians aged 65 and over believe their children face similar or harder financial challenges than they did growing up, largely due to rising ...Read more
![Government urged to include retirement units in housing targets to address supply challenges](https://res.cloudinary.com/momentum-media-group-pty-ltd/image/upload/v1715586717/pexels-jsme-mila-523821574-18509804_pl3ssa.jpg)
Retirement
Government urged to include retirement units in housing targets to address supply challenges
The Retirement Living Council (RLC), the national peak body for retirement and seniors' housing accommodation, is calling on the government to include retirement units in the Prime Minister's target ...Read more
![Retirement living linked to better health outcomes and reduced hospital visits, report finds](https://res.cloudinary.com/momentum-media-group-pty-ltd/image/upload/v1713836880/pexels-huy-phan-316220-1377070_hyjjtg.jpg)
Retirement
Retirement living linked to better health outcomes and reduced hospital visits, report finds
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has welcomed the findings of the Australian Medical Association's (AMA) annual Public Hospital Report Card, which highlights the potential for age-friendly ...Read more
![La Trobe Financial unveils heartwarming new campaign celebrating a life of well-managed investments](https://res.cloudinary.com/momentum-media-group-pty-ltd/image/upload/v1712738006/pexels-sikes-photos-3975266_qe1kkv.jpg)
Retirement
La Trobe Financial unveils heartwarming new campaign celebrating a life of well-managed investments
Australia's premier alternative asset manager, La Trobe Financial, has launched a new marketing campaign titled "Grandpa's Gift" in collaboration with creative agency Bastion. The fully integrated ...Read more
![Retirement Living Council welcomes government's decision to delay new Aged Care Act](https://res.cloudinary.com/momentum-media-group-pty-ltd/image/upload/v1712210583/pexels-matthias-zomer-339620_mztxgw.jpg)
Retirement
Retirement Living Council welcomes government's decision to delay new Aged Care Act
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has expressed support for the Australian Government's decision to postpone the commencement date of the new Aged Care Act, with Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells ...Read more
![Aged Care Taskforce report raises concerns among retirees about increasing costs of care](https://res.cloudinary.com/momentum-media-group-pty-ltd/image/upload/v1711328559/Aged_Care_Taskforce_report_raises_concerns_among_retirees_about_increasing_costs_of_care_v9gph4.jpg)
Retirement
Aged Care Taskforce report raises concerns among retirees about increasing costs of care
The Australian Independent Retirees (AIR) has welcomed the release of the Aged Care Taskforce report on funding arrangements, which highlights the need for additional aged care funding to meet future ...Read more
![Exploring the future of aged care: Retirement communities set to play a pivotal role](https://res.cloudinary.com/momentum-media-group-pty-ltd/image/upload/v1710208691/Investment_in_SMEs-_Why_they_are_the_innovation_leaders_of_tomorrow_esyjq3.jpg)
Retirement
Exploring the future of aged care: Retirement communities set to play a pivotal role
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has openly endorsed the Aged Care Taskforce report, viewing it as a vital guideline for both the government and service operators in shaping the future ...Read more