Australia’s fourth largest retirement village operator, RetireAustralia, looks to be preparing to list on the Australian Stock Exchange before Christmas for a value of $600 million for its 28 villages.

NZ village operator Oceania is said to be planning to raise $300 million in a joint listing on the Australian and NZ stock exchanges with its 50 villages and care facilities.

Aged care operator Regis has Macquarie Bank and UBS sounding out the market for an $800 million listing for its 45 aged care facilities.

Estia Health has just snared the long time Ramsay Healthcare boss Pat Grier as its Chairman. Discussion circulates that Estia can achieve $1 billion dollars value in a float.

This enthusiasm has been created by the listing in April by aged care operator Japara who stunned the Australian Stock Exchange by listing at a 35% premium, valuing the 35 site/3,131 bed operator at $707 million against an expectation of $500 million.

As Estia director Marcus Darville has pointed out, aged care provides a proven, stable revenue business based in the health sector. Retirement villages are a property asset class and unit turnover/sales have been lumpy between 2008 and 2013. RetireAustralia however has amongst the best village assets in a large portfolio, largely based on the Gannon and the Glen Group villages acquired pre GFC. They also run a very lean management structure.

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