Confusing contracts and fee structures
Deferred management fees, ongoing costs, exit fees, and lengthy agreements can be difficult to fully understand or compare.
Independent Retirement Living Advisor
Independent advice before you make one of life's biggest decisions.
Whether you are considering a retirement village for yourself, or helping a parent or loved one work through it, I help you understand your options, compare villages, know what questions to ask and avoid costly mistakes.
I'm Dawn Tanner. I spent more than 10 years working inside retirement villages. Today I'm completely independent — no village affiliations, no referral fees, nothing to sell you but my time.
Not sure where to start? The introductory call is a short, no-obligation chat — or you can download the free guide and read at your own pace.
Former Retirement Village Manager • Independent Advice • No Sales Agenda
About Dawn
A trusted advisor who has worked inside the system.
Dawn Tanner has spent more than 10 years working across the aged care and retirement living sector, including operational, village management, senior leadership, business development, and sales roles within retirement communities.
Throughout her career, she has supported residents and families through many stages of the retirement living journey — from early research and village selection, through to transitioning from independent retirement living into permanent care when needs change over time.
Having worked inside the industry at both operational and leadership levels, Dawn understands the practical, emotional, and financial complexities families often face when navigating retirement living decisions.
Today, she offers something rare: independent guidance grounded in real industry experience. Dawn is not affiliated with any retirement village and has no properties or products to sell. Her role is simply to help individuals and families better understand their options, ask the right questions, and move forward with greater clarity and confidence.
Her background also includes qualifications in management, coaching, real estate/property and funeral celebrancy, supporting her calm, compassionate, and practical approach when guiding people through significant life transitions.
- 10+ years across aged care and retirement living
- Village management, operations, leadership, business development and sales experience
- Experienced supporting residents and families through transition and care decisions
- Independent guidance with no village affiliations
- Calm, practical and compassionate approach
Common Challenges
Why so many individuals and families feel overwhelmed.
Navigating retirement living can feel emotionally and practically overwhelming — especially when important decisions need to be made quickly or with limited understanding of how the system works.
If any of the following feels familiar, you are not alone. These are some of the most common reasons people seek independent guidance.
Not knowing where to start
With so many retirement living options available, families are often unsure what questions to ask or what should be considered first.
Comparing different villages
Every village presents itself differently, making genuine comparisons around lifestyle, support, costs, and long-term suitability challenging.
Emotional family conversations
Discussions between parents, partners, and adult children can feel emotional, sensitive, and uncertain.
Future care and support concerns
Many families worry about what happens if health needs change over time or a transition into permanent care becomes necessary.
Feeling pressured or rushed
Retirement living decisions are significant life decisions, yet many people feel overwhelmed by timelines, sales processes, or conflicting information.
Fear of making the wrong decision
Choosing a retirement living option can feel daunting, particularly when financial, emotional, and lifestyle factors are all involved.
Independent guidance helps bring clarity to the process — so families can better understand their options and move forward with greater confidence and peace of mind.
Who does what
Everyone you'll meet has a different role.
When you start exploring retirement living, you'll speak with several professionals. Each of them plays a valuable and legitimate role — they are simply different roles. Knowing who does what makes the process far less confusing.
Retirement village sales consultant
Represents their village. They know their community in detail and can explain its homes, services, fees and contracts. Their role is to inform you about that village.
Real estate agent
Assists with buying or selling property, including the sale of a family home during a move.
Lawyer / solicitor
Provides legal advice and reviews retirement village contracts and disclosure documents before you sign.
Financial adviser / accountant
Provides advice on your financial position, including how a move may affect your money, pension or tax situation.
Aged care support and placement services
Assist with assessments and finding residential aged care or in-home care when care needs are the primary issue.
Retirement Living Navigator
Independent guidance for you and your family. Dawn helps you clarify your priorities, understand how retirement living works, compare information between villages, prepare the right questions, and move through the decision at your own pace.
Retirement Living Navigator does not replace legal, financial, medical or aged care advice. Where those are needed, Dawn will say so and help you prepare the right questions to ask the right professional.
Want to read more? Retirement village sales consultants work for the village — so who works for you?
Consultations
Independent guidance, at whatever stage you're at.
Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by options, unsure what questions to ask, or supporting a loved one through a major transition, Dawn provides independent guidance grounded in more than 10 years of real experience inside the retirement living and aged care sector.
Sessions are available by phone, Zoom, or in person across Melbourne, with family members warmly welcomed to attend.
Not ready to book? Start here
Complimentary 15-Minute Introductory Call
Not sure what kind of help you need? Tell Dawn briefly where you're at, ask any questions about how Retirement Living Navigator works, and together you can decide whether one of her services may be appropriate.
It takes about 15 minutes, there's no obligation, and it's an introductory conversation rather than personalised retirement village advice — that's what the Clarity Session is for.
Premium Advisory
Retirement Living Clarity Session
From $500AUD · 90 minutes
Who it's for: anyone actively considering retirement living — for themselves or for a parent — who wants a clear, independent view of their options before going further.
What happens: a single 90-minute conversation. Dawn listens to your situation, explains how things actually work, answers your questions, and talks through the options worth considering. Family are welcome to join.
You'll leave with:
- A full 90 minutes with Dawn — by phone, Zoom, or in person across Melbourne
- Guidance shaped around your situation, not a generic overview
- A clear explanation of how retirement living options and processes work
- The key questions to ask when comparing villages
- Discussion of transition and future care considerations
- Family members welcome to attend at no extra cost
- Clear, practical next-step recommendations
- A follow-up summary email after your session
Secure online payment · Booking confirmation sent by email · No obligation to purchase anything further afterwards.
Premium Ongoing Guidance & Support
Retirement Transition Support Package
From $1,950AUD · over 30 days
Who it's for: individuals and families who are actively comparing villages and want independent guidance alongside them throughout the decision — not just one conversation.
Includes:
- Initial 90-minute consultation
- Up to 3 follow-up consultations (phone or Zoom)
- Ongoing support over 30 days
- Direct email support during the support period
- Help preparing for village visits and inspections
- Independent sounding-board support for the whole family
See everything that's included
Enquire About Transition SupportNo payment at the enquiry stage — this one starts with a conversation.
Free Guide
10 Questions Every Family Should Ask Before Choosing a Retirement Village
A short, practical guide written from a decade of experience inside retirement villages. Use it to feel more informed, prepared, and confident before any conversation, tour, or decision.
How It Works
A simple, unhurried process.
A simple, supportive, and unhurried process designed to help individuals and families feel more informed and confident when navigating retirement living decisions.
01
Book a Consultation
Choose a time that suits you. Consultations can be held by phone, Zoom, or in person across Melbourne. Booking is simple, secure, and confirmed by email.
02
Discuss Your Situation and Options
Together, we talk through your current situation, concerns, priorities, and the retirement living options worth understanding based on your individual circumstances.
03
Walk Away With Greater Clarity and Confidence
You'll leave with a clearer understanding of your options, practical next steps, and the right questions to ask moving forward — without pressure or overwhelm.
Testimonials
What families are saying
Real words from the families Dawn has supported through their retirement living journey.
Would like to say a big thank you to Dawn. We had many a conversation with my mum & dad about the option of aged care. Dawn has a great understanding of the the do's & don'ts so to speak. She explained things in a way that mum & dad could understand, simple. Her knowledge is extensive & exceptional. When the time came she also helped us through the real estate side of things. It was a wonderful experience. Thank you very much Dawn.
Robert Klop
Google Review
Dawn was fantastic, she is knowledgeable and has great communication, she assisted me with my elderly mum.
Tracey Pople
Google Review
Dawn is very knowledgeable within the Retirement industry. Having worked in that industry she knows all the processes involved. She has excellent personal presentation and communication skills. Her integrity is of a very high standard. She has given me support in my own experience in retirement living and guided me in the right direction.
Vicki Mogford
Google Review
Read all testimonialsSourced from verified Google Reviews.
FAQ
Questions families often ask.
A gentle next step
You don't need to navigate this process alone.
Whether you are just beginning to explore, or weighing a specific decision, a calm conversation can make all the difference.
Secure payment · Confidential · No obligation beyond the session.
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