Getting Financial Advice for Aged Care: Where to Turn
Aged care financial advice: free help from Services Australia, when to use an accredited adviser, what good advice covers, and questions to ask before you commit.
Why aged care is a financial decision
Free help: information, not advice
When to use an accredited adviser
What good advice covers
What advice costs
Questions to ask an adviser
Do not forget free advocacy
Frequently asked questions
Is there free financial help for aged care?
Yes. Services Australia offers the free Financial Information Service and Aged Care Specialist Officers, who explain how the rules apply to your situation. They provide information rather than personal advice, so they will not recommend a specific strategy or product.
When should I pay for a financial adviser?
When you need someone to assess your actual numbers and recommend a course of action, especially around accommodation payments, the family home, and pension impacts. An adviser accredited in aged care can model tailored options that free services cannot.
What does aged care financial advice cover?
Whether to pay accommodation as a lump sum or daily fee, what to do with the family home, effects on the age pension and estate, and how means-tested fees and lifetime caps apply. It looks across the whole picture.
How much does aged care financial advice cost?
Advisers usually charge a fixed fee for aged care advice or an hourly rate. Always ask for the fee in writing upfront. For large accommodation and pension decisions, a good fee is often small next to the savings.