What Will Retirement Living Look Like in Australia in 2025?

Discover how new retirement villages across Australia are redefining senior living with modern amenities, sustainable features, and varied pricing—helping you find the perfect community that fits your lifestyle, preferences, and budget seamlessly, ensuring comfort, security, and social connections.

Overview of New Retirement Village Developments in 2025

Several retirement living projects are underway across Australia in 2025, including apartment-style communities and land lease villages primarily targeting active over-50s residents. These developments focus on fostering communities with resort-style amenities and sustainability, reflecting evolving senior lifestyle preferences.

Major projects include:

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

These projects indicate a trend toward sustainable, community-focused retirement living options that balance convenience, lifestyle, and affordability.

Pricing Information for New Retirement Villages in 2025

Pricing for retirement villages varies based on location, housing style, and the level of amenities offered.

Regional Land Lease Communities: Offering Spacious Homes

Aliria on Dean, Rockhampton
- Prices start from approximately $565,000 for three-bedroom duplex homes.
- Designed to support active lifestyles with amenities including a clubhouse, pool, gym, pickleball court, and RV parking.
- It is one of the first land lease communities in Rockhampton in over a decade, offering an option for those seeking regional living.
Lincoln Place Northern Rivers Lifestyle Estate
- Homes are priced starting around $545,000 in a community with access to open-air living, social sports like bowls and pickleball, and proximity to coastal amenities.

These price points provide a general indication of entry-level pricing for spacious homes in regional land lease communities.

Metropolitan Apartments with Higher Pricing Range

Bella Vista Haven, Sydney
- The upcoming “Corymbia” stage will include 83 apartments and penthouses; specific prices have not been publicly listed as of 2025.
- The development includes amenities such as indoor pools, a library, cinema, and waterfront dining facilities.
- The full village will consist of 437 apartments across nine buildings and a 135-bed aged care facility.
GemLife Moreton Bay
- This community features sustainability-focused designs including all-electric homes and renewable energy use.
- Pricing has not been publicly disclosed but reflects the features and location within Queensland’s market.
Vantage Bloomdale (Victoria)
- Development includes land lease homes with resort-style clubhouse facilities; pricing information is not currently available.

Established Villages with Recent Improvements

Aveo’s Minkara Resort (Sydney Northern Beaches) completed a $1.5 million refurbishment in 2024–25, upgrading community facilities. Pricing information was not publicly available.
Park Meadows by Uniting at Westmead (NSW) is developing 153 new independent living apartments expected to complete by mid-2027; pricing details are yet to be released.

Amenities and Lifestyle Features in New Retirement Communities

New retirement villages aim to support active, social, and wellness-focused lifestyles with a variety of amenities.

Common features include:

Resort-style Clubhouses with bars, dining rooms, cinemas, lounges, and libraries serving as community gathering spaces.
- For example, Vantage Bloomdale’s clubhouse is expected to include a games room, bar, theatre, private dining, and wellness areas.
Sports & Fitness Facilities such as pools (indoor and outdoor), gyms, yoga lawns, pickleball and tennis courts, and walking groups.
- Aliria on Dean offers pickleball courts and gym facilities.
- Seasons Mango Hill (Queensland) includes activities like aqua Zumba and Tai Chi classes.
Sustainability Features in eco-conscious villages like GemLife Moreton Bay incorporate renewable energy sources, native landscaping to support wildlife habitats, and electric homes designed to lower utility expenses.
Social and Recreational Activities include options like musical groups, aqua aerobics, arts and crafts, wine appreciation, and community events intended to support social engagement and wellbeing.

Eligibility and Purchase Process for New Retirement Villages

Typical Eligibility Requirements

Generally intended for individuals aged 50 and above, aligned with active over-50s demographics.
Some communities may allow younger partners or spouses under their specific rules.
Applicants usually must be mentally and financially capable to enter lease or purchase agreements.
Health needs assessments may be performed to ensure appropriate community support.

Purchase Methods and Agreements

Land Lease Communities: Residents buy their homes but lease the land, often reducing initial purchase costs; ongoing site fees may apply.
Unit or Apartment Ownership: Metropolitan villages typically offer outright purchase of apartments or villas, with associated strata or body corporate fees covering maintenance and amenities.
Entry Contributions and Exit Fees: Retirement village contracts generally include entry contributions (purchase price), ongoing community fees, and exit fees upon leaving; these are detailed in disclosure documents and regulated for clarity.

Important Considerations Before Commitment

Carefully review the Disclosure Statement, which outlines all fees, services, maintenance responsibilities, and resident rights.
Understand which optional services (e.g., cleaning, meals, personal care) come included or may be available at additional cost.
Examine the maintenance fee structure and information about the village’s Capital Works Fund, supporting long-term upkeep.

Regulatory Updates Relevant to Retirement Living in 2025

In 2025, regulatory reforms are being implemented in several jurisdictions, including New South Wales, to increase transparency and consumer protections in retirement villages.

Key updates include:

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

Summary for Those Exploring Retirement Living Options in 2025

New villages vary in pricing from approximately mid $500,000s for regional land lease homes with three bedrooms to higher prices for metropolitan apartment living.
Communities offer a range of amenities supporting active and social lifestyles tailored to over-50s residents.
Some villages emphasize environmental sustainability through renewable energy and green building practices.
Regulatory reforms provide improved consumer information and protections regarding contracts and fees.
For the most current, accurate details on pricing and availability, prospective residents are encouraged to contact developers or official village channels directly, especially for projects where pricing is yet to be published.

The range of new retirement villages available across Australia in 2025 offers options suited to different preferences, budgets, and locations. Whether interested in metropolitan apartments or regional land lease homes, these communities aim to provide lifestyle choices supported by updated regulations and evolving market needs. Prospective buyers should carefully review all relevant information and disclosures to make well-informed decisions about their retirement living arrangements.

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