How the ‘cheapest’ retirement village could leave you paying more

July 8, 2026 — 5:10am

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For many Australians considering a retirement village, the biggest financial question is not whether they can afford to move in — it is what happens when they leave.

Retirement village contracts have been built around an exit fee model. You pay an ingoing contribution, live in the village, and when you leave, an exit fee is taken.

The latest Retirement Living Council/PwC Retirement Village Census found exit fees to still be the most common contract, with an average fee of 33 per cent. But last year upfront management fees represented 8 per cent of contracts.

While that may sound like a small number, it is potentially a significant proportion of residents because it is not offered by all villages. While it is common across the big operators like Aveo, Keyton and Levande, many other operators don’t offer the option.

The concept........

© The Sydney Morning Herald