Resident contracts must outline the resident’s rights and responsibilities for when they want to leave a village.
It will include:
- notice periods
- exit fees
- exit entitlements
- refurbishment requirements - changes are coming December 2026
- any other conditions
Property condition reports
- Property condition reports will be introduced in December 2026.
Resident ending the agreement
You have the right to a cooling-off period if you haven’t moved into the village.
If you have lived in the village, you may have to give the village operator 30 days’ notice when you want to leave.
Each contract must specify what fees and charges a resident will have to pay when they leave. See leaving fees and charges for more information.
Village operator ending the agreement
A village operator can end the agreement if you agree or pass away.
Otherwise, the operator must apply to the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) for a termination order to end the contract.
The operator must give you at least 10 days’ notice if they want to apply to SAT to end the contract for medical reasons or breaches.
SAT will consider ending the contract if:
- you abandoned the home
- you breached the contract or village rules
- you caused serious damage or injury to property or a person
- you are unable to live independently on medical grounds
- the operator would suffer undue hardship if the contract continued.
Whatever the reason for ending the residence contract, leaving fees are still likely to apply. See leaving fees and charges for more information.
Exit payments
You may be eligible for:
Moving into aged care. You may be able to ask your operator to pay part of your exit entitlement directly to the aged care facility for your daily accommodation payments.