Thanks to advocacy led by Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell, retirement villages can no longer impose unreasonable restrictions preventing residents from keeping companion animals.

For too long, older Victorians have been forced to make an impossible choice: keep the companion animal they love, or access the care and housing they need.

Following the passage of the Retirement Villages Amendment Bill 2024 through both houses of Parliament, Victorians living in retirement villages now have greater rights to keep their companion animals.

A reform driven by community voices

After hearing from a constituent distressed at the prospect of being unable to take her companion animal with her into a retirement village, Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell introduced an amendment to strengthen protections for residents and their pets.

“It is unacceptable that older Victorians can be forced to choose between keeping a pet they love and finding a retirement community that they love.” - Georgie Purcell

The amendment passed with unanimous support in the Victorian Parliament.

Ending restrictive and unnecessary rules

The reform reflects growing concern about the lack of pet-friendly aged care and retirement living options across Australia. A 2023 Companion Animal Network Australia survey found that only 18% of aged care facilities allowed pets, and just 9% of older pet owners who receive Home Care Packages were permitted to keep animals.

For many older people, this means being forced to choose between secure housing and the animals who provide comfort, routine, emotional support and companionship.

The new law, which took effect on 1 May 2026, prevents retirement villages from enforcing rules that “unreasonably limit the keeping of a pet on a resident’s premises.”

Georgie described the reform as a “fair balance” that would help end restrictive and often unnecessary rules imposed as a matter of policy or convenience.

Why this reform matters

Trish Ennis, CEO of Companion Animal Network Australia (CANA) hailed the change as a “significant and compassionate win for the rights and well-being of older Australians and their companion animals”.

Research consistently shows that companion animals can reduce loneliness, lower stress and improve mental and physical wellbeing — factors that are especially important for older people living alone or navigating major life transitions.

This reform is a significant step toward recognising what so many people already know: animals are family.

It also demonstrates exactly why animals need representatives in Parliament. Without Georgie Purcell in the Victorian Parliament, this issue may never have been raised — and many older Victorians could still be facing the heartbreaking prospect of losing a beloved companion simply to access housing and care.

We will continue fighting for laws that keep families together — regardless of species.