Frequently Asked Questions
Retirement Living

Here are answers to frequently asked questions about retirement living in our communities, providing more peace of mind in your decision-making process.

Is there a waiting list?

Some villages may operate a waiting list, to find out whether your preferred village operates a waiting list and the approximate timeframe, please contact us.

Who can purchase and live in a retirement village?

To purchase and live in a retirement village with RSL LifeCare, you must be either over 55 years of age, or retired from full-time employment. If you are not sure about your eligibility, please contact us to discuss your circumstance.

Can you still work and live in a retirement village?

Retirement villages are designed for people who have retired from full-time work or are over 55 years of age, but if you’d like to keep doing part-time, casual, or volunteer work, that’s completely fine. It’s all about enjoying the lifestyle that suits you best.

Do you pay stamp duty on retirement homes?

Living in a retirement village comes with many benefits, such as not needing to pay stamp duty on your purchase. This is possible because purchasing an RSL LifeCare home means you enter into a contract under either a Licence or Lease. Most RSL LifeCare retirement villages operate under a Licence model, which typically offers lower costs to our residents.

How much does a retirement home cost?

At RSL LifeCare the cost of entering a retirement home can vary significantly. For more detailed information, please contact us directly.

Once I have decided on the purchase of a home, how long do I have to pay?

Once you have indicated your interest in a specific home, you have 48 hours to pay your deposit, and a total of 90 days to settle on your new home.

We understand many people need to sell their current home before they can enter our village, which is why RSL LifeCare allows an initial 4 week prior after you place your deposit to place your home on the market. If you are not actively marketing your home at the end of the 4 week period and require the funds for your RSL LifeCare purchase, we will refund your deposit. This will allow another interested party the opportunity to secure the property, and you are more than welcome to deposit on another home when you are ready.

If you do not need to sell a home to enter one of our villages and the home you wish to purchase is ready to occupy, you could be in your new home in as little as 4 weeks.

Please note, your deposit is fully refundable at any time should you decide not to proceed and RSL LifeCare strongly recommends seeking independent financial and legal advice prior to entering a contract.

The Village strongly recommends that every potential new resident seeks independent financial and legal advice.

How much are the recurrent charges?

Recurrent charges are specific to each Village and are reviewed annually. Please contact us to receive up to date information about your chosen village.

What is included in the recurrent charges?

• Building Insurance
• Council Rates
• Maintenance of common grounds
• Maintenance of exterior of buildings
• Internal maintenance such as plumbing and electrical
• Services such as emergency call and the village manager

What do I need to pay for?

• Telephone
• Electricity
• Contents Insurance (at your discretion)
• Gas (if applicable)

Do you allow pets in the villages?

Not all our villages allow pets however the following villages do.

• Bayside @ Byron Retirement Village
• Chauvel Retirement Village
• Le Hamel Retirement Village
• Pozieres Retirement Village<
• Tea Gardens Grange Retirement Village
• Soldiers Settlers Retirement Village
• Tobruk Retirement Village
• Cherrybrook Retirement Village
• Lakes of Cherrybrook Retirement Village
• Horizons Retirement Village
• Kingsford Smith Retirement Village
• First Fleet Retirement Village
• Taara Gardens Retirement Village
• Long Khanh Lakefront Retirement Village
• Linton Retirement Village
• Dumaresq Retirement Village
• Coral Retirement Village
• Condobolin – Robert White Village
• El Alamein Retirement Village

Can changes be made to the home?

Yes, subject to approval. Your request would have to be put in writing and forwarded to your Village Manager.

What happens if we are/I am finding it difficult to live independently?

We can assist in organising home care and support specifically tailored to your needs through RSL LifeCare Home Care services, or transfer into one of our Residential Care homes on site wherever villages and nursing homes are co-located. For a list of co-located sites, please click here.

Please understand that the Retirement Villages Act requires us to inform you that access to these facilities cannot be guaranteed; however, we are able to clearly demonstrate that we are regularly able to accommodate retirement living residents in our Nursing homes.
Normal fees and charges apply when accessing these services – in line with Government guidelines.

About Home Care

RSL LifeCare offers an in-home care and support service and can assist you with a variety of services – from basic everyday tasks such as shopping, cooking and cleaning through to personal care (assistance with personal hygiene such as showering), nursing care, respite care and post-hospital care.

Services can be provided via government funded services (where eligible) such as Support at Home and DVA Community Nursing and Veterans’ Home Care, as well as privately funded home care.

To find out how we can assist you to remain living safely and independently at home and for assistance in exploring eligibility for government funded services, call 1300 853 146 or email us.

For a full list of services and more information, please click here.

Can I access extra services while still living independently, whether in the village or in the local area?

Yes, through the RSL LifeCare Home Care service, we can provide tailor made services specifically for your needs, whether on a short-term or long-term basis, and are available 24/7.