The final report into Caring for Older Australians has been completed and sent to the Australian Government for review.
The report makes several recommendations relating to the retirement village industry and takes into account the integral role the retirement village industry plays in providing accommodation for older Australians and acknowledged the importance and necessity of the industry’s accreditation program.
The Commission has recommended the following relating to retirement villages that are of great interest to the future of our industry, including but not limited to the following:
1. The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) should develop a strategic policy framework for ensuring that sufficient housing is available that would cost effectively meet the demands of an ageing population.
2. The regulation of retirement villages and other retirement specific living options should remain the responsibility of state and territory governments, and should not be aligned with the regulation of aged care.
3. State and territory governments should pursue nationally consistent retirement village legislation under the aegis of the Council of Australian Governments. Changes to state and territory government legislation under this process should:
- be informed by research jointly commissioned by the industry and government
- have regard to the industry’s accreditation process
The next step in the inquiry process is the release of the final report by the Government. Under the Productivity Commission Act 1998, the Government is required to table the report in each House of the Parliament within 25 sitting days of receipt. Federal parliament now has 25 sitting days to release the final report publicly, which will mean a release date of sometime in November.
When the Government releases the report, the Commission will send a copy of the overview and recommendations to all participants who made submissions, appeared at the public hearings, attended workshops or were visited by the Commission.
Further information on the Productivity Commission and all current and completed projects can be obtained from the Commission’s website or by contacting the Media and Publications section on (03) 9653 2244 or email: maps@pc.gov.au.
