I think everyone is trying to get their heads around it. I keep all my dogs in retirement, so they stay at the same residence, same owner. Should be simple but even doing this I struggle with knowing what the correct procedures are.

There is a request to retire form on the GRNSW website which seems to suggest that even to retire them as I do you need to get permission from them first. However, I think that may just be because they haven't bothered changing the form from when the ban was on.

When I last sent in a retirement form, I sent in the form plus a detailed email explaining what I was doing and why I was confused as to what extra forms I needed to fill out. They processed the application.

GWIC should be in charge of it now. They have a different notification of retirement form and I can't see a request to retire form on their website. There is a notice of intention to transfer form which includes transferring to an adoption agency.
I notice as well the notification of retirement form says 'notification to retire, export or transfer to a third party'. However in the form it asks if you want to retire the dog and keep it as a pet yourself. I would have thought if keeping it yourself there is not 'third party' involved.

Sorry I can't be any more helpful. I have probably just confused you more because I am totally confused by the whole process myself.