First published 9 Nov 2026, 12:57pm
A new report reveals two in three downsizers say their kids have a say in the move.
Downsizing might be a personal decision, but for many Australians, it's also a family conversation.
New findings from the realestate.com.au GemLife Downsizing Australia Report 2026 reveal that 66% of downsizers with adult children say their children have some influence on the decision, particularly when it comes to choosing a location, encouraging the move and researching options.
“Downsizing is a big decision, and it's only natural that families are part of the conversation,” says Andrew Coulter, GemLife’s Chief Operating Officer.
“Adult children often bring a different perspective. They might notice that maintaining a large family home is becoming more demanding or encourage their parents to think about what they want from the next stage of their lives.”
When it comes to downsizing, research shows adult children are helping their parents make decisions.
After decades of living in large family homes to accommodate their blended family of nine children, Barbara and Noel Smith weren't initially convinced that downsizing was for them.
While their four-bedroom home had started to become more than they wanted to manage, it wasn’t until their daughter Amanda suggested they explore alternatives that they considered moving.
“We put it off for the longest time because we didn’t think it was for us,” says Barbara.
What mattered most to Amanda was helping her parents stay in control of their choices while widening the options on the table.
“Ensuring their independence as long as possible is very important,” says Amanda.
“To me, that also means enjoying a place where they have friends of their own age about.”
The turning point came when they discovered GemLife Elimbah, an over-50s resort that put them close to Amanda and everyday essentials.
“It’s less than ten minutes from my place, and the fact that it’s right next to shopping was terrific,” says Amanda.
With security, low maintenance and nearby amenities, the move gave Barbara and Noel a simpler day-to-day routine without surrendering independence.
“I love the idea that they can take a walk around the resort in the evening and don’t have to worry about traffic,” says Amanda.
“And you can’t hear the highway at all. It’s so quiet and peaceful.”
Amanda helped her parents Barbara and Noel research their new home in a GemLife community.
For many Australians, downsizing isn't simply about finding a smaller home. It's about finding one that better suits their lifestyle.
The Downsizing Australia Report 2026 found that 79% of downsizers prioritise low maintenance, followed by security (62%) and proximity to shops and services (61%).
According to Mr Coulter, who helped his own parents downsize from a large property in Queensland’s Darling Downs to a Sunshine Coast Hinterland home at GemLife Palmwoods, downsizers expect more than just a smaller home.
“One of the things I see regularly at GemLife is that people aren't necessarily looking for less when they downsize,” he says.
“They're looking for a home that better suits the way they want to live. And the same is true for my parents too.”
While the report found that a two-bedroom home is what 50% of downsizers are looking to move into, it also highlighted that outdoor spaces and storage are the parts of their homes they’re more reluctant to give up.
Barbara and Noel’s home, which has two bedrooms plus a multipurpose room, reflects those findings.
“I like the kitchen. It was one of the things which attracted me to the design, and it also has a walk-in pantry. I’ve never had one of those before,” says Barbara.
“And the home itself has plenty of storage – that was also important to me.”
For downsizers like Barbara and Noel, storage is still an important part of their new homes.
With the Downsizing Australia Report 2026 finding that only 9% of adult children are providing or planning to provide financial support to their downsizing parents, guidance and research are where they can help most.
From his own experience with his parents, that’s where Mr Coulter found himself leaning in.
“Being familiar with GemLife and the lifestyle our communities offer, I was able to help them explore their options and understand what a move might look like,” he says.
His advice for adult children looking to support their parents’ downsizing journey is to get them talking sooner rather than later, before there is any urgency to move.
“Start the conversation early, listen carefully and don't make assumptions about what your parents want,” he says.
"It's easy to look at a large family home and think downsizing is the obvious next step, but your parents might have a very different perspective. They may still love their home, or they might be ready for a change but unsure where to start."
Asking their parents what matters most – whether that’s being closer to family, having less maintenance, feeling more secure in their home, or having more opportunities to be active and social – can be a great place to start.
From there, their support can become more practical, helping to research locations or visiting communities together to get a sense of the lifestyle their parents are looking for.
"Above all, remember that it's their next chapter,” says Mr Coulter.
“The best thing you can do is help them make an informed decision that feels right for them."
A dynamic, innovative developer of premium over-50s lifestyle resorts, GemLife creates vibrant communities that reflect the rapidly evolving demands of Australia’s over-50s. With a focus on quality active and engaged living, GemLife’s master-planned communities deliver exceptional recreational facilities together with high-quality modern homes. GemLife’s national portfolio now includes 33 communities and pipeline projects across Queensland, northern New South Wales and Victoria, and more in the pipeline.
