Aged care and super - do you need advice?

Making aged care decisions can be complex. There is a lot to consider, from accommodation costs and government subsidies to how care choices affect pensions and assets.

Here’s what you need to know:

The Australian Government has introduced major changes designed to strengthen rights, improve care standards and simplify access to services.

Aged Care Act 2024 (effective 1 November 2025)

• New rights-based framework for older Australians.
• Stronger regulation and quality standards.
• Single assessment process for government-funded care.
• Increased oversight of providers and fees.

Support at Home Program

• Replaces current home-care programs from November 2025.
• Individual funding allocations for services.
• Clinical care fully funded - other support may be means-tested.
• Designed to simplify fees and increase transparency.

Residential aged care changes

• Greater transparency around accommodation payments - Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP) and Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD).
• Enhanced resident rights and quality monitoring.
• Mandatory 24/7 registered nurse coverage and care requirements.

These reforms may affect fees, means-testing outcomes and service access, making personalised financial advice even more important.

Why specialist aged care advice matters

A specialist aged care financial planner can help you understand your options, allowing you to make informed decisions when someone is looking to move into an aged care facility, be it the individual or often family members who make decisions on behalf of their loved ones.

A specialist planner can help you:

• Understand the financial implications of home-care vs residential care.
• Explore accommodation payment options.
• Assess eligibility for subsidies and concessions.
• Plan around assets and cash flow (including the family home and pension impacts).
• Navigate transitional rules as reforms roll out.

Let us help you

NGS Financial Planners can give you expert strategies tailored to your circumstances, to help you achieve your financial goals.

Meet our aged-care accredited planners

Toby Perkins – Financial Planner (Adelaide)

Certified Financial Planner® specialising in retirement advice. Toby helps clients understand their options and make confident, informed decisions.

Emerson Scott – Financial Planner (Brisbane)

Retirement planning specialist with more than 20 years’ experience. Emerson focuses on financial education and empowering clients to make smart choices.

Vince Zappia – Financial Planner (Sydney)

Certified Financial Planner® with over 20 years of experience, Vince has extensive specialist knowledge in pre-retirement and retirement planning.