Aged Rights Advocacy Service (SA) Inc. (ARAS) provides advocacy support, information and education to residents of retirement villages. This service enables residents to voice their concerns to retirement village management (operator) and assist with exercising their rights according to the Retirement Villages Act 2016 and the Retirement Villages Regulations 2017 (Regulations).
ARAS Advocates can assist you on a number of issues and concerns, including:
- Fees (ongoing and exit): If you believe you are being charged incorrectly by the operator, an ARAS Advocate can assist you by reviewing your contract and working with you and the operator to clarify the fees and charges.
- Maintenance: If there is a delay in organising maintenance/repair work by the operator, ARAS Advocates can assist by working with you and the operator to understand the situation and resolve the matter.
- Bullying and intimidation: If you are experiencing bullying or intimidation from the operator or another resident, ARAS encourages you to discuss your concerns with your resident's committee. If the matter is unresolved, you can contact ARAS and an Advocate will help raise your concerns with the operator through the dispute resolution policy of the village.
- Contract issues, management disputes, issues among residents, retirement village complaints processes and communication between residents and the operator.
ARAS Advocates will work with you in a variety of ways, such as:
- resolving issues directly with the operator
- mediation through the Retirement Villages Unit of Office for Ageing Well
- representation in matters that are referred to the South Australian Civil Administrative Tribunal (SACAT).
You may prefer to self-advocate, i.e. to speak on your own behalf in order to resolve your concerns; an ARAS Advocate can assist you to prepare for self-advocacy and to outline various options and strategies in preparation for a SACAT hearing.
Whilst ARAS Advocates are not lawyers, they do have a very good understanding of the relevant legislation however, can also refer residents to legal services, if required.
ARAS also delivers education sessions on Retirement Village advocacy and, if you are receiving aged care services, your aged care rights. You can request an information session at your village by contacting ARAS.
If you would like to learn more about Retirement Village advocacy and how it can assist you with your concerns, watch an informational video on ARAS’ website.
The Retirement Village advocacy service is supported by the Office for Ageing Well, SA Health.
For more information or to book an education session, contact ARAS on (08) 8232 5377 or email.