Australia’s retirement living sector has entered a new era of quality assurance, with the Retirement Living Code of Conduct in full effect since 1 January.

The Code of Conduct supports the new Australian Retirement Village Accreditation Scheme (ARVAS) providing a strong framework for the operation of Australia’s approximately 2,300 retirement communities, and village operators are being urged to sign up to certify their communities as Code compliant to give confidence to current and future residents.

ARVAS has been developed by two organisations representing the retirement living sector - the Property Council of Australia (PCA) and Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) and is operated by Quality Innovation performance (QIP), an experienced not-for-profit provider of independent accreditation services.

Under ARVAS an operator must be an active subscriber to the Code of Conduct to apply for accreditation.

According to LASA CEO Sean Rooney (pictured) the Code of Conduct and the new accreditation scheme safeguards the interests of residents and “highlights the strong commitment of operators to help ensure the best retirement living standards for older Australians” he said.

Ben Myers, Executive Director – Retirement Living at the Property Council, said people thinking of making the move to a retirement village should inquire if their potential future home is signed up to the Code.

“A retirement community that signs up for the Code is demonstrating its commitment to high standards across its accommodation, services, management, sales and marketing,” Mr Myers said.

The Retirement Living Code of Conduct Review Panel, chaired by Dr Elizabeth Lanyon, will undertake independent oversight, monitoring and review of the Code, its content and matters referred to it by the Code Administrator.

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