Retrofitting for bushfire resilience: a scalable approach to addressing housing vulnerability among ageing populations in Australia

Purpose – This study investigates the barriers older Australians face when retrofitting their homes for bushfire resilience. Many retirees rely on the Age Pension or limited superannuation, restricting their capacity to fund upgrades. Physical constraints reduce their ability to undertake or manage retrofit tasks. Complex building codes and bushfire regulations add to the challenges, especially without access to technical advice. These financial, physical and regulatory barriers delay or prevent effective retrofitting, increasing risk for older people in bushfire-prone areas. Design/methodology/approach – The research adopts a case study approach centered on the Bega Valley region in New South Wales an area severely impacted by the 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires. Data were collected in two phases during 2023: first, focus groups with older adults to elicit lived experiences, challenges and perceptions regarding bushfire retrofitting; second, site visits and structured property assessments using a bespoke Property Assessment Protocol and aerial drone imagery to evaluate vulnerabilities. Findings – Key challenges include the cost of upgrades, a lack of clear guidance on bushfire attack level requirements and limited access to qualified tradespeople. Many older residents struggle with maintenance tasks due to physical limitations. Emotional attachment to homes and fear of relocation also influenced decisions. The findings highlight the need for clear, simple retrofitting guidance tailored to older adults and stronger community networks that connect homeowners with skilled professionals. Originality/value – This research develops a scalable framework to address a gap in bushfire preparedness for older Australians. It combines resident interviews, site assessments and compliance checks to identify barriers to retrofitting and define actions based on risk, effort and cost. The framework offers a structured method for prioritizing retrofit tasks according to user capability and property-specific risk. Its originality lies in presenting a practical approach that enables staged retrofitting tailored to the needs of ageing populations in bushfire-prone areas.