What most families don't realise is that the decisions made in those first 48 hours - or the decisions that get delayed because no one knows where to start - can have a significant impact on the financial support available down the track. This isn't about adding pressure to an already stressful situation. It's about knowing which financial steps genuinely matter right now, and which ones can wait.

The benefits system, like Centrelink and the Department of Human Services, can be complex especially for eligibility for the blind pension.

Essential guide to Power of Attorney for aged care planning. Learn about financial and medical POA, when to establish them, and how they protect your parent's interests during aged care transitions.

Learn how to have compassionate conversations about aged care with your parent. Practical guidance from aged care financial specialists on timing, preparation, and navigating resistance with empathy.

Big changes have taken effect in home care with the new Aged Care Act that began on 1 November 2025.

When families begin navigating the aged care system, one of the most unexpected challenges can be locating essential documentation.

A person is considered to be a grandfathered resident if they meet either of the following conditions...

A move into residential care is triggered by the need to find a more suitable home – one that is safer and more appropriate for a person with increased care needs. As with any move to a new home, the person needs to pay for the right to reside. In residential care this is known as an accommodation payment (or for low-means residents it is called an accommodation contribution).

A low-means resident is a person who is assessed to have low financial capacity as at the date of entry into permanent residential care. Under current rates, this is a person whose means-test amount (MTA) is assessed to be lower than $69.79 as at the date of permanent entry.

A person may need to move into residential care when they are no longer able to live safely at home. Their change in circumstances means they need to find a new home, which can better support their daily needs.

Home care is increasing in popularity for older Australians as an alternative to residential care. This is because your client can choose where to live – either at home or in a retirement community or perhaps with the kids – and the care they need will come to them.

Rising cost of living pressures, significant changes to the home care and aged care systems, and increasing life expectancy have created a perfect storm of financial challenges for many Australians approaching or already in retirement.

If you're approaching or already in retirement and own your own home, you might have heard about the Home Equity Access Scheme (HEAS). This government program allows eligible older Australians to access the equity in their home through a voluntary non-taxable loan, providing additional income to support your retirement lifestyle.

As we prepare for the implementation of the new Aged Care Act and following the recent pay increases to support the attraction and retention of qualified staff in March 2025, now is an opportune time to examine how the announcements of the March Federal Budget 2025-26 are impacting the aged care landscape.

As of 1st July, 2025 there will be a significant shift in how Aged Care is delivered and funded in Australia.

Big reforms in aged care are set to take effect next year, these reforms will redefine how aged care is funded and who pays for it. This article will briefly outline what it means to you and your family who may be currently navigating aged care or are thinking about accessing it in the coming months. We can confirm regardless of your financial situation under the new 1 November 2025 framework (previously July), the Government will fund aged care costs for everyone. However, i

Why Financial Stability Matters in Retirement The transition to retirement should be a time to relax, but without a clear financial plan, it can quickly turn stressful. Unfortunately, costs don’t stop when you stop working. Things like healthcare and aged care expenses can rise. That’s where smart financial planning comes in. At Olive Grove Financial , we’re all about helping you make sure your savings, investments, and assets are working hard for you. Our advice lets you fee

As a financial adviser with over 22 years’ experience, it was a family tragedy that reshaped Bill Savellis’ approach to financial planning. His decision to focus on aged care advice has been vindicated, with Bill’s business — Olive Grove Financial Advice — recognised as a finalist in the 2023 Aged Care Advice Program of the Year Award. It was one of those freak accidents — a car swerves, hits a person, and the lives of all involved are changed irrevocably. This is precisely w

Explore how aged care financial advice empowers seniors to make informed decisions, navigate aged care costs, and secure a stable financial

Carers are integral to Australia’s health, mental health, aged care, disability support and social services systems. With more of us now...