Financial Success SA - Aged Care Financial Specialists

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐬

Paying a large lump sum for a room in aged care can feel overwhelming — but a Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) isn’t as daunting as it sounds and is often misunderstood. Four key things to know:

* The amount paid is mostly refundable
* Government guaranteed
* Can reduce ongoing daily fees
* May even improve your Age Pension position.

It’s not about losing money — it’s about structuring your finances in the right way.

Every situation is different, and the right approach can make a significant difference to your cashflow and estate planning objectives so that you can afford the care you need.

📞 Get in touch to talk through your options by phoning
08 8223 6880 or visit our website to make an appointment at: www.agedcarefinancialspecialist.com.au.

𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆

The new lifetime cap for Non-Clinical Care Contributions (NCCC) paid in residential care might seem simple — but we are seeing real confusion.

There are two caps:

✅ A dollar cap (currently $135,318.69), and

✅A time-based cap (1,460 days)

And you stop paying the NCCC when either is reached.

What many people don’t realise is that the 1,460 days only counts days when the NCCC is actually payable – not simply days in care. That distinction can materially change outcomes.

Add in prior Home Care or Support at Home contributions, grandfathering rules, and changing asset positions… and it quickly becomes complex.

If you or your family are navigating residential aged care, understanding how these caps work is critical to managing cashflow and determining your affordability.

Need help navigating the changes? We’re here to guide you. Please call us on 08 8223 6880 or go to our website to book your appointment: www.agedcarefinancialspecialist.com.au.

𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞
The need to access aged care, can be a worrying and daunting time for the whole family! The responsibility to make the right decisions for yourself, or a loved one, may weigh heavily on your mind.

Our specialist services can assist you to make the right decisions by providing clarity and understanding so that you are fully informed at all times.
For more information on us and to make an appointment, please visit our website at: 𝘄𝘄𝘄.𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁.𝗰𝗼𝗺.𝗮𝘂.

𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲

The new lifetime cap for Non-Clinical Care Contributions (NCCC) paid in residential care might seem simple — but we are seeing real confusion.

There are two caps:

✅ A dollar cap (currently $135,318.69), and

✅A time-based cap (1,460 days)

And you stop paying the NCCC when either is reached.

What many people don’t realise is that the 1,460 days only counts days when the NCCC is actually payable – not simply days in care. That distinction can materially change outcomes.

Add in prior Home Care or Support at Home contributions, grandfathering rules, and changing asset positions… and it quickly becomes complex.

If you or your family are navigating residential aged care, understanding how these caps work is critical to managing cashflow and determining your affordability.

Need help navigating the changes? We’re here to guide you. Please call 08 8223 6880 or go to our website to book an appointment: https://agedcarefinancialspecialist.com.au/

𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 Adelaide

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘦 𝘥𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦?

For more information and to book an appointment, please go to our 𝐍𝐄𝐖 Website at: https://agedcarefinancialspecialist.com.au/

🎀𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 – 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫! 🎀

The festive season brings us together — and sometimes it also quietly shows how our older parents are really coping. A little confusion or everyday tasks becoming harder, can be easy to overlook in the Christmas cheer.

Gently checking in during this time can prevent rushed decisions later. A calm conversation over the holidays can give your loved one the chance to stay involved, maintain control, and plan for support on their terms.

A few simple ways to start:
• Notice any signs that things are getting harder
• Find a quiet moment to ask how they’re feeling
• Involve trusted family members
• Ask if they’d like help exploring options

Small conversations now can make a big difference later.

For more about how we can help you, please go to: www.agedcarefinancialspecialist.com.au.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝 – 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭!

If you receive help through a Home Care Package, now’s the time to learn what’s changing. From 1 November, all packages will move to the new Support at Home program — with updates to how your care is managed, how fees work, and what happens to any unspent funds.

💡𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬:

* New fee structure: your contribution will depend on your financial situation and services accessed.
* "Use it or lose it” budgets: you’ll only be able to carry over a small portion of unspent funds each quarter.
* Grandfathering concessions: existing package holders may pay lower rates.

Letters have been sent from Department of Health, Disability & Ageing explaining what these changes mean for you — keep it safe and share it with your financial adviser.

𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲?
👉 Talk to your care provider or call us on 08 8223 6880 — we’re here to help you prepare with confidence.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀?

If you have been looking at aged care, you might have noticed prices going up – and it’s not just your imagination.

Since January 2025, the average aged care room price has increased by $46,000 – from $526,859 to $572,589. And from 1 November 2025, a new rule means that if you pay a lump-sum Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD), you’ll lose 2% of it each year for up to 5 years (up to 10% total).

You could choose a daily payment (DAP) instead, but these fees will rise with inflation every March and September and are impacted by the room price increases and interest rates.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨?

Moving before 1 November 2025 could help you avoid the new RAD deductions, but time is running out and competition for rooms is high.
Getting advice now can help you understand your options and help to protect your finances.
📞 To book an appointment and discuss the best approach for your situation call us on 08 8223 6880 or visit our webiste to book an appointment at: www.agedcarefinancialspecialist.com.au.

𝐃𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞!

After a 5-year freeze, the Government has announced that deeming rates will increase by 0.5% from 20 September 2025:

Lower threshold: 0.75% (up from 0.25%)
Upper threshold: 2.75% (up from 2.25%)
💡 What this means for you:

Most pensioners won’t notice a big change, as the assets test usually has a bigger impact than the income test.

Some Centrelink/DVA recipients and Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders, may see higher assessable income and potentially higher fees for support at home or residential care.

On the upside, for those leaving residential aged care, the interest payable on refundable deposits will increase, which could mean more money back.

👉 If you’re unsure how the change might affect your pension, or aged care costs, now is a good time to check in with us by calling 08 8223 6880 or visit our website to make an appointment at: www.agedcarefinancialspecialist.com.au.

𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝟒 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐲!

With aged care reforms pushed back to 1 November 2025, families and care providers have more time to get ready.

If you are thinking about aged care, this delay is a valuable window to learn more and get ready. From 1 November we can expect higher fees and more complexity – so now’s the time to get informed, review your current arrangements, and seek expert advice.

✅ Thinking about residential care?
✅ Already receiving home care?
✅ Not sure where to start?

We break down what the delay means and how to use the time wisely.

Need help navigating the changes? We’re here to guide you.

Please call us on 08 8223 6880 or visit our website to make an appointment at: www.agedcarefinancialspecialist.com.au.