Why RLC wants aged care beds counted in national housing targets

The Retirement Living Council (RLC) wants aged care beds added to Australia’s national housing targets so State and local Governments are pushed to prioritise approvals for retirement villages and co-located care.

“We’re broadening our advocacy asks to include aged care beds in the Prime Minister’s national housing targets and seeking expedited planning pathways in all states to cater for increasing demand,” said Executive Director Daniel Gannon, noting almost 80% of retirement villages already provide varying levels of care to residents.

“Aged care facilities are full. Because they’re full, hospitals are full. Because hospitals are full, ambulances are stuck on ramps. And when ambulances are ramping, Australians wait too long for the care they need, when they need it,” he said.

“Yet one of the fastest and most cost-effective solutions is hiding in plain sight: retirement communities.

“Nearly 80% of retirement villages already provide a continuum of care, and half of all new developments include co-located aged care facilities. Outdated policies are preventing more older Australians from accessing them.”

This is why the peak body wants aged care beds explicitly recognised in the Housing Australia Future Fund and National Housing Accord – so seniors’ housing and care are treated as essential social infrastructure, not an afterthought.

The push from RLC and the broader property industry comes as State leaders increasingly call out the Federal Government’s lack of action on aged care, which they say is driving avoidable pressure on State-funded hospital systems.

The Weekly SOURCE has also launched a campaign, urging retirement village operators with co-located aged care homes to use any spare village rooms to accommodate hospital patients already assessed as needing residential care.

Some jurisdictions are starting to move. In South Australia, since September a $10 million-plus development application for a retirement village co-located with an aged care facility can be treated as essential infrastructure. These projects are assessed directly by Planning Minister Nick Champion, with support from the State Commission Assessment Panel.

In NSW, retirement living projects that include residential aged care and have a construction cost above $30 million receive special height dispensation and are assessed directly by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment – a sign that, at least in planning, seniors’ housing and aged care are finally being recognised as part of the housing solution.