The second Ageing Australia Study reveals a sharp shift in seniors’ lifestyles with tech-savvy Australians aged 65-85 now using smartphones at rates similar to Gen Z.
The study, commissioned by retirement village operator Aveo, features a diverse sample of socio-economic and geographic population across four states, largely representing Baby Boomers.
Key findings include:
- 94% of over 65s own a smartphone, closely matching 98% ownership rate among 13–28-year-olds,
- Two out of three retirees embrace social media with 93% on Facebook, 33% on Instagram and 22% on WhatsApp,
- Despite their embrace of technology, today’s seniors are also leading balanced lives, prioritising healthy choices around diet and exercise – not retreating into ‘digital caves’, and
- Only one in 10 eat out weekly and more than a third never order takeaway food, preferring to eat at home with quality produce.
The 2025 Ageing Australia Study, commissioned by Aveo, gathered insights from 1,260 respondents.
Aveo’s Chief Executive Officer Tony Randello said the current generation of retirees was adventurous, highly educated, health conscious and challenging the traditional stereotypes of ageing.
“The results of the Ageing Australia Study were revealing but not unexpected for the generation born during the 1940s to the 1960s. They have witnessed incredible technological change from the arrival of television to a phone in their pocket,’’ Tony said.
“To support retirees and their digitally empowered lifestyles, the retirement living sector must rise to the challenge by creating modern and forward-thinking communities where residents can age in place – supported by quality wellness and social facilities, and innovation in technology.’’
The study found more than half of older Australians are exercising three to five times a week, with walking the most popular choice at 86%, followed by swimming and the gym.
Fran Taber, a resident of Aveo’s Bayview Gardens community on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, says her smartphone is a “very necessary tool’’ and uses social media to message family and loves playing word games with friends overseas, but maintains a healthy lifestyle that includes 10,000 daily steps.
“I walk every day from home down to the water that takes me about an hour and I get in 6,000 steps then and I have a healthy diet of home cooked proteins and vegetables,’’ she said.
Fellow Bayview Gardens retiree Richard Conibear says he is selective in his use of social media but uses it to connect with family, friends and former colleagues.
“I also use my smartphone for online banking, email and to monitor my investments on the share market. YouTube comes in handy for entertainment and practical research when I want to know how to change a spark plug!’’
Craig Hunter, Managing Director of Blacksheep Strategic Group, who compiled the report, said the level of gaming across the 65-85 demographic had surprised him.
“I had not expected one in ten would be regular gamers with Minecraft the leading game of choice, followed by League of Legends, Call of Duty and Fortnite,’’ Craig Hunter said.
“I suspect it might be the influence of grandchildren and a way to connect with them.’’
Online word, quiz or puzzle games were most popular with 30% playing regularly. Solitaire was the firm favourite followed by Wordle, crosswords and Sudoku.
The majority 87% eat a healthy diet for physical and mental health benefits, with only 15% admitting to following fad diets.
“They prefer to eat at home using fresh ingredients over processed food, almost all try to reduce food waste but are willing to spend more for quality, locally sourced produce.
“More than a third never order takeaway food and only one in 10 eat out weekly at restaurants or pubs,’’ Craig said.