Back
Retirement Villages Law Reform - Information for Retirement Village Operators

State In Focus: South Australia

Reforms Coming to South Australia in 2026

Important reforms to the retirement village sector in South Australia are on the way, with the Retirement Villages (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act 2024 set to commence on 2 February 2026.

As we have reported previously, these changes will impact all operators, who are expected to fully understand and meet their obligations before the new laws take effect.

To support operators in preparing for the transition, Office for Ageing Well has released a video overview explaining the key elements of the reforms. While the video provides general guidance, it’s not a substitute for legal advice.

The reforms cover several critical areas, including:

  • Residence contracts
  • Disclosure statements
  • Premises condition and vacating premises reports
  • Exit entitlements
  • Recurrent charges
  • Prescribed alterations
  • Village safety
  • Codes of conduct

 

In addition to online resources, in-person information sessions will be held across metro and regional South Australia in late 2025 and early 2026, with separate events for operators and residents. Key dates include:

Operator Session – Adelaide:
Friday 21 November, 10:30am–12:30pm at Riverside Centre, North Terrace.

Regional Operator Sessions:

  • 24 Nov – Victor Harbor
  • 26 Nov – Loxton
  • 28 Nov – Murray Bridge
  • 2 Dec – Mount Gambier
  • 4 Dec – Nuriootpa
  • 9 Dec – Port Lincoln
  • 11 Dec – Kadina

Resident Sessions:
Metro sessions for residents only will run from 12–23 January 2026.

Further event details and registration links will be made available via SA Health in the coming weeks.

DCM Institute: Supporting You Through the Reforms

To help our South Australian participants navigate these upcoming changes, DCM Institute is hosting a Lunch & Learn session featuring Gemma Coward from SA Health. This is a valuable opportunity to gain direct insights into the reforms and ask questions about how they may affect your operations.

Click here to register now.

Author

  • James Wiltshire

    With over 20 years of experience in the seniors living sector, James has led operations for both large and small operators. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to a resident-focused approach, working tirelessly to establish, improve, and transform retirement communities for some of Australia's top owners and operators.

    James holds a Masters Degree in Commerce and Economics (UNSW) with an advanced specialisation in Human Resource Management. A former member of the NSW Retirement Living Council, he continues to sit on numerous sector Committees.

    View all posts

Tag:, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

author avatar
James Wiltshire

With over 20 years of experience in the seniors living sector, James has led operations for both large and small operators. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to a resident-focused approach, working tirelessly to establish, improve, and transform retirement communities for some of Australia's top owners and operators.

James holds a Masters Degree in Commerce and Economics (UNSW) with an advanced specialisation in Human Resource Management. A former member of the NSW Retirement Living Council, he continues to sit on numerous sector Committees.

You may also like

Cat Matson When the facts aren’t enough
When the facts aren’t enough
August 28, 2026
Lauren Hughes Redefining Leadership in Community Living
Are we leading today’s villages with yesterday’s thinking?
August 28, 2026
A race to the bottom can become an expensive decision
A race to the bottom can become an expensive decision
August 27, 2026