Across Australia · 3 min read
How the rules differ between states
Each state and territory has its own retirement village law. These are the differences that change the money most.
| State or territory | Latest date to be paid out | Fees after you leave | Renovation when you leave | Selling costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New South WalesThe rules for New South Wales are still being checked. | Within 6 months of handing back the unit. If you own your unit or hold a registered long-term lease, you sell it yourself. | At most 42 days of fees after you leave. Owners pay until their unit sells. | Never yours to pay (new contracts). | Taken off the price rise before it's shared. |
| Victoria | Within 12 months of handing back the unit (new contracts). Owners sell the unit themselves. | No fees once you've handed back the unit (new contracts). | Only if you agree to share it, in the same share as any price rise. | Taken off the price rise before it's shared. |
| Queensland | Within 18 months of leaving, or 14 days after the unit sells if sooner. The operator must buy back freehold units by 18 months. | Full fees for up to 90 days. Then shared until the unit sells or 9 months pass. After that, the operator pays. | Always shared, in the same share as any price rise. None if you get no share of the price rise. | Shared in the same share as the sale money you get. |
| South Australia | Within about 14 months of handing back the unit (12 months after a 30-business-day period). | At most 6 months of fees after you leave. | As the contract says. | As the contract says, or reasonable costs. |
| Western Australia | Within 12 months of leaving, for everyone (from 1 Sep 2026). | Up to 3 months of fees after you leave (lease or licence). Owners: up to 12 months. | Only under a plan agreed after you leave. | Marketing your unit can cost no more than the actual cost. |
| Tasmania | Within 6 months of giving notice (or earlier if the unit is re-let or sold). | The law doesn't say. We've assumed fees until you're paid out, up to 6 months. | As the contract says. | As the contract says. |
| Australian Capital Territory | Within 6 months of handing back the unit. Your share of any price rise is paid when the unit sells. | At most 42 days of fees after you leave. | Never yours to pay. | As the contract says. Owners (registered interest holders) share them in the same share as any price rise. |
| Northern Territory | Within 6 months of giving written notice. | No charges for costs the village no longer has once you've left. | As the contract says. | As the contract says. |
When you compare villages in different states, the compare page shows these rules side by side. The words come from the national team’s wording file, so they’re the same everywhere on the site.