Australia’s retirement villages consistently report some of the happiest residents in the country, a fact backed backed by strong Net Promoter Scores (NPS) and multiple independent surveys. In 2023, the Retirement Living Council’s (RLC) national census recorded a median resident NPS of +44, a level widely regarded as “high” and indicative of strong loyalty and advocacy. (Property Council Australia)
What does a +44 NPS mean?
NPS scores range from –100 to +100. Scores above +40 are typically considered excellent. By comparison, many everyday consumer sectors sit notably lower. For example, software averages ~41, supermarkets ~39, hotels ~37, banks ~32, utilities ~27, and TV service ~11 in widely cited industry benchmarks. Against that backdrop, retirement villages’ +44 sits at the top end of real-world experiences people rate highly.
What the Retirement Living Council’s research shows
The PwC/Property Council (RLC) Retirement Census 2023 is the sector’s most comprehensive dataset. Beyond the +44 NPS headline, it also highlights extremely low on-market vacancy (5%) and reinforces that residents generally report a positive experience, an outcome the Census explicitly links to the high NPS. (Property Council Australia)
Separately, an RLC media release summarising a national resident-led survey (4,000+ respondents) reported that ~85% were satisfied or very satisfied with village life and ~90% would consider recommending a village to others, findings that closely align with the NPS story. (Property Council Australia)
Why is satisfaction and advocacy in retirement villages so strong?
1) Community, belonging, and purpose
Villages are designed for social connection—regular activities, clubs, shared spaces, and “neighbourhood” support. Peer networks reduce isolation and make day-to-day life easier and more enjoyable, which is strongly correlated with higher wellbeing among older Australians living in retirement communities. (BioMed Central)
2) Health and wellbeing benefits
RLC-reported outcomes show residents are more active, happier, and may require fewer acute health interventions after moving in, benefits that compound satisfaction and confidence in the decision to “rightsize.” These findings are regularly cited in sector roundtables and coverage of RLC research. (The Australian)
3) Safety, support, and maintenance-free living
Purpose-built environments, on-site/nearby services, and coordinated access to health providers remove daily friction points (home maintenance, transport, coordination). This reliability increases peace of mind, one of the strongest drivers of high NPS in housing-adjacent services. The Census also notes widespread access to home-care support across villages. (Property Council Australia)
4) Affordability relative to local housing
The Census shows a typical two-bedroom independent living unit (ILU) is around 57% of the local median house price, making affordability a key reason many residents feel financially more secure after moving. Lower ongoing costs and cost-predictability are powerful satisfaction drivers. (Property Council Australia)
5) Better contract transparency (and still improving)
Resident associations’ survey results show most residents understood their purchase type and disclosure documents, and a large share discussed key terms with family. The industry also acknowledges contract complexity and is pushing for clearer, simpler agreements, another lever to keep satisfaction high. (Property Council Australia)
How retirement villages stack up against other industries
When you compare the RLC’s +44 NPS with mainstream benchmarks, retirement villages outperform many sectors Australians interact with every week. Typical industry averages: software ~41, supermarkets ~39, hotels ~37, banks ~32, utilities ~27, TV service ~11. This spread underscores just how strongly residents advocate for village life relative to everyday brands and services. (Delighted)
The last word
Multiple data points, from the RLC/PwC Census to large resident-led surveys, converge on the same conclusion: retirement village residents in Australia are highly satisfied and highly likely to recommend their lifestyle to others. With strong community ties, measurable wellbeing benefits, safer and more supportive living, and improved affordability and transparency, it isn’t surprising that villages post top-tier NPS results year after year. (Property Council Australia)
Sources
- PwC/Property Council (Retirement Living Council) – 2023 Retirement Census Snapshot: Median NPS +44; affordability, vacancy, and support features. (Property Council Australia)
- Retirement Living Council media release (12 Dec 2024): ~85% satisfied/very satisfied; ~90% would recommend; transparency themes. (Property Council Australia)
- Delighted (Qualtrics) NPS benchmarks: cross-industry average NPS ranges used for comparison. (Delighted)
- Peer-reviewed and sector reporting on social connection and wellbeing advantages in retirement communities. (BioMed Central, The Australian)
Note: “Retirement Living Council” is a division of the Property Council of Australia. The Census and media releases above are RLC publications or endorsements.
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