generations

Aged care fee changes - what you need to know

Tue, 13 May 2025 06:59:02 GMT

Big changes are on the way for aged care, with new rules starting from 1 July 2025

Aged care fee changes - what you need to know

After a long wait, new legislation which is aimed at reshaping how aged care is delivered and funded in Australia has been passed.

Like most countries around the world, our population continues to age, making it important to have a sustainable aged care system that provides quality care and treats our older Australians with dignity. But this also requires adequate funding.

The new Act is founded on person-centred principles – that puts you, as the user of care services, in the centre. The aim is to provide more choice and greater control, as well as defined rights for older Australians.

But the money is what most people are worried about. So, here’s what you need to know to stay informed and make sure you can afford the care that you need and want.

Who is affected?

The rights in the Aged Care Act apply to everyone, but the new rules for fees will only apply if you move into residential care after 30 June 2025 or are approved for Home Care after 12 September 2024.

If you were receiving a Home Care Package as at 12 September 2024 (or had been approved and in the queue waiting for a package to be allocated), grandfathering rules apply. The aim is to ensure you are not disadvantaged by some of the rule changes even if you move into residential care after 30 June 2025.

What is changing for residential care?

Some room prices may increase but we still expect to see a range of price points. And you will still be able to choose to pay for your room as a lump sum or as daily “rent”.

If you pay a lump sum, each year the provider must deduct and keep 2%. This only applies for the first five years – so you could lose up to 10% of the amount paid, with the remainder refundable to you or your estate. If paying the daily rent, this increases each six months in line with inflation.

Ongoing care costs will be split between you and the government, with three new fee categories to work out this split:

· Everyday living expenses – currently $63.57 (indexed) per day, but if you have assets over $238,000 or income above $95,400 (or a combination) you may pay up to an additional $12.55 per day.

· Non-clinical care – this is a means-tested fee up to $101.16 per day. It will only apply for the first four years, or up to a dollar cap of $130,000 (indexed).

· Clinical care – this is the most expensive component and will be fully paid by the Government.

What is changing for home care?

The Support at Home program starts on 1 July 2025, expanding care to eight levels instead of just four. Similar to residential care, the costs will be split into three categories and means-tested to work out how much you pay:

Clinical care will be fully paid by the government.

Self-funded retirees will pay 50% of the costs for independence support and 80% of everyday living costs.

Full pensioners will pay only 5% of independence support costs and 17.5% of everyday living costs.

The percentage part-pensioners and people who hold the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card will pay is between the above two groups and is based on means-testing.

Your home care contributions are subject to a $130,000 (indexed) lifetime cap.

An important change is to note that the package budget will be allocated quarterly, on a ‘use it or lose it’ basis. You will only be able to roll over unused funds up to $1,000 or 10% of the package budget from quarter to quarter.

What you need to do?

Navigating these changes can be complex and ensuring you have kept enough money to meet your care needs in the later years of life is vital to maximise your quality of life.

If you or a loved one require aged care, acting before 1 July 2025 may help you lock in current fee arrangements. But whenever you decide care is needed, it is important to get comprehensive financial advice to fully understand your options and how to restructure your assets and investments.

As a licensed financial adviser and Accredited Aged Care Professional™ we have the experience and expertise to help. If you wish to discuss your situation call our office on 02 6056 8777 to make an appointment with us.

5 key things to know about new Aged Care fees

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 22:31:42 GMT

Big changes are on the way for aged care, with new rules starting from 1 July 2025

Big changes are on the way for aged care, with new rules starting from 1 July 2025. While these changes aim to create a more sustainable and fairer system, they do bring added complexity — especially when it comes to understanding the fees and making the right financial decisions.

Here are the five key things you need to know:

1. Aged care will cost more - but is still subsidised
If you or a loved one is moving into residential aged care after 1 July 2025, the amount you’ll need to contribute will be higher. That said, the Government will continue to fund a large share of care costs - around 73% on average. But it will be important to consider your cashflow.

2. Expect new terminology and fee calculations
The language is changing. Instead of the current “means-tested care fee,” you’ll now see new names like Hotelling Contribution and Non-Clinical Care Contribution. How much you are asked to pay will still be based on your income and assets, but new formulae may result in higher contributions than under the current rules.

3. Lifetime caps remain – but at a higher level
A lifetime cap will continue to apply to limit how much you can be asked to pay as a non-clinical care contribution over your total stay in residential care. This cap is increasing to $130,000, but with a new safeguard, that no matter how much you pay, you will only need to pay this fee for a maximum of four years. This helps ensure fairness between residents with different levels of wealth.

4. Retention amounts are being reintroduced
If you choose to pay a lump sum for your room (known as a refundable accommodation deposit - RAD), aged care providers will deduct a “retention amount” of up to 2% per year (capped at 10% over five years). While this increases the cost slightly, it may still be better value than paying the daily accommodation payment.

5. Good advice can prevent costly mistakes
Navigating these new rules can be confusing - especially when you need to make major decisions about the family home, assets or pension entitlements. The cost of getting good advice is often small compared to the cost of getting it wrong. That’s why seeking qualified aged care financial advice is more important than ever.

If you're starting to think about aged care for yourself or a family member, now is the time to start planning and seek advice. As specialists in aged care advice, we can help you to make informed decisions with confidence and peace of mind.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION : This document has been prepared by Aged Care Steps Pty Limited, ABN 42 156 656 843 AFSL 486723, based on our understanding of the relevant legislation at the time of writing. While every care has been taken, Aged Care Steps Pty Limited makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of the contents. The information is of a general nature only and has been prepared without consideration of your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making any decisions, you should consider the appropriateness for your personal investment objectives, financial situation or individual needs. We recommend you see a financial adviser, registered tax agent or legal adviser before making any decisions based on this information. Current as at 15 April 2025.

Federal Budget May 2023

Tue, 09 May 2023 23:26:49 GMT

The 2023 Federal Budget focuses on providing cost of living relief
through lower power bills, higher welfare payments and more support for small business and housing.

Note: These changes are proposals only and may or may not be made law.

Cost of living

Energy bill relief : An electricity bill credit of up to $500 will be available in 2023/24 for:
- Pensioners
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card holders and other concession card holders
- Recipients of Carer Allowance and Family Tax Benefit A and B
- Veterans, and
- those eligible for existing State and Territory electricity concession schemes.
Eligible small businesses will receive a credit of up to $650. The amount of the credit will vary depending on the location, with no further details revealed in the Budget.

• Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme changes: Individuals will be allowed to buy twice as many common medicines for the price of one script under changes to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme from 1 July 2023. This will allow a patient access to 60 days worth of medicine for each script.
The change will save general patients up to $180 a year per subsidised prescription. Concession card holders are expected to save up to $43.80 a year per medicine.
Increased bulk billing: Children under the age of 16, pensioners and other Commonwealth concession cardholders will have increased access to free healthcare under this measure, with bulk billing incentives being tripled for the most common consultations. This includes face‑to‑face, telehealth and video conference consultations.
Household energy upgrades: A number of low-cost loans will be provided to access energy-saving home upgrades, such as battery-ready solar panels, modern appliances and other energy efficiency improvements.

Superannuation

Better targeted superannuation concessions : The Government will reduce tax concessions on certain superannuation accounts for individuals with a ‘total super balance’ (TSB) of more than $3 million (unindexed). The earnings on any balance that exceeds the $3 million threshold will be subject to an additional tax of 15% (up to 30% in total).
Individuals with a TSB less than $3 million will not be impacted by this change, and investment earnings on the accumulation balance will continue to be taxed at the maximum rate of 15%.
Increasing the payment frequency of employer super payments: Employers will be required to pay their employees’ super at the same time as their salary and wages from 1 July 2026.

Social security

Increase to working age payments: The fortnightly rate of JobSeeker Payment and certain other benefits will increase by $40 ($1,040 pa) on 20 September 2023
The minimum age for the higher rate of JobSeeker Payment will also reduce from age 60 to 55 and over for those who have received the payment for nine or more continuous months. Single recipients aged 55 to 59 with nine continuous months on payment will receive an extra $99.40 pf as a result of both changes.
Increasing Rent Assistance : The maximum rates of Rent Assistance will increase by 15% on 20 September 2023. This will provide recipients with up to $31 extra per fortnight.
Increase to Home Care packages : As part of a package to improve the in-home aged care system, the Government will increase the number of Home Care packages by 9,500 in 2023/24. This may help reduce the wait time for individuals who are waiting for a package to be assigned to them.

Personal taxation

No changes to personal income tax: The Budget did not contain any measures announcing changes to personal income tax. This includes:
- no changes to the Stage 3 tax cuts which will take effect from 1 July 2024, and
- no extension of the Low and Middle Income Tax Offset, which ended 30 June 2022.
Increasing the Medicare levy low-income thresholds: The Government will increase the Medicare levy low-income thresholds for singles, families and seniors or pensioners from 1 July 2022. This means low-income earners will be able to earn more income before being liable to pay Medicare levy.

Small business taxation

Small Business Energy Incentive: Small businesses with an annual turnover of less than $50 million may receive an additional 20% deduction on spending that supports electrification and more efficient use of energy.
Up to $100,000 of total expenditure will be eligible for the incentive, with the maximum bonus tax deduction being $20,000 per business. Eligible assets or upgrades will need to be first used or installed and ready for use between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024.
Examples of eligible assets include electrifying heating and cooling systems, upgrading to more efficient fridges and induction cooktops, and installing batteries and heat pumps.
$20,000 instant asset write-off: Small businesses with an annual turnover of less than $10 million will also be eligible to immediately deduct the full cost of eligible assets costing less than $20,000 for assets that are first used or installed ready for use between 1 July 2023 and 30 June 2024.
Small businesses can instantly write off multiple assets as the $20,000 threshold will apply on a per asset basis.

Housing

Changes to eligibility for home buyer guarantee schemes: From 1 July 2023, joint applications may be made by friends, siblings and other family members under the First Home Guarantee and the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee. Non-first home buyers who have not owned a property in Australia in the last ten years will also be eligible.
Eligibility for the Family Home Guarantee is also expanding to include eligible borrowers who are single legal guardians of children such as aunts, uncles and grandparents.
The number of guarantees available and other eligibility criteria are unchanged.

Any questions?

If you have any questions, please speak with your financial adviser who can help you to understand how these proposed changes could apply to you.

Important information and disclaimer

Sources: www.budget.gov.au

This communication has been prepared by Actuate Alliance Services Pty (ABN 40 083 233 925, AFSL 240959) (Actuate), a related entity of Insignia Financial Ltd ABN 49 100 103 722.

The information in this communication is factual in nature. It reflects our understanding of existing legislation, proposed legislation, rulings etc as at the date of issue, and may be subject to change. In some cases, the information has been provided to us by third parties. While it is believed the information is accurate and reliable, this is not guaranteed in any way. Examples are illustrative only and are subject to the assumptions and qualifications disclosed. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance, and it should not be relied on for any investment recommendation. To the extent that the information in the communication contains general advice, it has been prepared without considering any person’s individual objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of the general advice in light of your own objectives, financial situation or needs.

This communication is not available for distribution outside Australia and may not be passed on to any third person without the prior written consent of Actuate.

Whilst care has been taken in preparing the content, no liability is accepted by Actuate or any member of the Insignia Financial group, nor their agents or employees for any errors or omissions in this communication, and/or losses or liabilities arising from any reliance on this communication.

The Festive Seasons Brings Families Together

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 05:53:01 GMT

When your family gathers over the festive season, it might present an opportunity to start planning for future care needs.

Christmas is a time for families and the New Year is for resolutions. This year, combine the two by making a resolution to pay more attention to how your older parents are coping and start family conversations to develop a plan for future care and support.

You may have been busy through the year and not noticed the small things. But how well parents are coping may become more obvious when you have time to catch up with family over the festive season.

You might not want to face that your parents are getting older and may need help. If you are the older person, asking for help does not have to be the start of a slippery slope. Rather, it might be the first step to having greater control over your future independence and reduce

some of the daily strain on yourself and other family members.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The information (including taxation) contained within this document does not consider your personal circumstances and is of a general nature only - unless otherwise stated. You should not act on it without first obtaining professional advice specific to your circumstances. RI Advice Group Pty Ltd, ABN 23 001 774 125 AFSL 238429

Shining a spotlight on elder abuse

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 05:56:07 GMT

Shining a spotlight on elder abuse

The numbers can be alarming! The World Health Organisation estimates around 16% of people over age 60 have experienced some form of abuse. And most concerning is that this abuse is allegedly perpetrated by a trusted person (such as a friend or family member).

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is held every year on 15 June to shine a spotlight on issues around elder abuse and create greater awareness. The best ways to prevent abuse are awareness, education and engaging the right professionals to help with decision-making.

Elder abuse can take many forms and can be physical, psychological, sexual or financial abuse. Sometimes the trusted person may not recognise that their actions are effectively a form of abuse. For example, using an Enduring Power of Attorney to start distributing a parent’s assets to family members after that person has entered residential care. You might hear this referred to as “inheritance impatience”. It may not look harmful, but if decisions are made in the family’s interests and not the older person’s best interests, this may be elder abuse.

Life can change quickly. If we lose capacity and need help, we will need someone we trust to step in and make decisions for us. Who would you trust?

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day gives us all a chance to think and reflect. But it is not just a one day a year issue. It is an ongoing issue and needs ongoing review.

We aim to ensure all our clients are ready and have the right documents and systems in place. Talk to us today to review your frailty plans or for help with making the right decisions for an older loved one. It is never too early to start the conversation and set up appropriate arrangements.

Call us on 02 6056 8777 to review your own financial situation or if you need help in your role as Enduring Power of Attorney.

2022 Biggest Morning Tea

Mon, 23 May 2022 01:31:10 GMT

Biggest Morning Tea 2022

The annual Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser took place on Wednesday, May 17th, 2022 at the Generations office.

Clients joined in the fun by bringing their sweets to the bake-off to show off their cooking skills, and all the staff brought a variety of tasty treats to offer in order to collect much-needed funds for the Cancer Council.

We met our goal of $500 and are still getting donations from our generous clients to improve cancer research, support services, and people impacted by cancer. Thank you to all who participated in making this happen.

If you were able to attend our Biggest Morning Tea, you're probably still thinking about how delicious everything was and how much fun you had while raising money for a great cause.

Ellie's Mind-Blowing Brownies recipe received so many compliments that we decided to include it in this post.

Ingredients

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough:

1 cup (140 g) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
½ cup (1 stick/113 g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup (100 g) dark or light brown sugar
1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup (130 g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips

Oreo Layer:

16 Oreo cookies

Brownies:

3/4 cup (130 g) chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
6 tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter, cut into cubes
2 tablespoons (12 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup (150 g) cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
3/4 cup (105 g) all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C. Line a 9x9-inch (or 8x8-inch) baking pan with tin foil, leaving enough overhang on the sides for lifting the brownies out after baking.
To make the cookie dough: In a medium bowl sift together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
In a mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, 3-4 minutes. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture and mix just until combined. Do not overmix. Fold in chocolate chips.
Layer the cookie dough on the bottom of prepared pan, pressing down to form an even layer. Bake for 8 minutes until just beginning to set. Allow to cool slightly on a wire rack. Meanwhile, prepare the brownie batter.
To make the brownies: In a large heatproof bowl, place chocolate and butter. Heat in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between each interval, until melted (or set it over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally). Add cocoa powder and sugar and whisk until combined. Stir in eggs. Add flour and salt and fold, using a rubber spatula, just until combined. Set aside.
Layer Oreos on top of the cookie dough in one layer. No need to overlap, it’s ok if there are gaps.
Pour brownie batter slowly over the Oreos and smooth the top. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the brownies come out with moist crumbs, 20-25 minutes. Let brownies cool completely on a wire rack, then refrigerate until set for easy cutting, at least 4 hours. Lift brownies out of the pan using tin foil and cut with a sharp knife into 16 squares. Store brownies at room temperature or in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Aged Care Article - Granny Flats Need Caution

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 23:19:07 GMT

Granny flat arrangements may seem like a simple idea, but the implications are complex and filled with traps.

As parents age and need more support, families may decide to move in together and create a granny flat arrangement. This can allow generations of family members to support each other, as well as provide financial benefits.

For an older parent this may offer a great care solution, but not every family can successfully navigate the pitfalls. You may need to remove rose-coloured glasses to ensure you objectively consider the family dynamics as well as the financial implications.

Click below to read more....

Supporting a person living with Dementia

Thu, 23 Sep 2021 04:40:19 GMT

Living with dementia can be unsettling and frustrating, but independence and quality of life can still be achieved with the right support and a few changes

With almost half a million people living with dementia in Australia, and another 1.6 million people involved in their care, it is likely that we are all impacted in some way.

This week is Dementia Action week, putting a spotlight on how to support a person living with dementia as well as support for the carers. Understanding the experience of dementia, and making a few changes can have a beneficial impact on the person’s quality of life and help them to live more independently.

When we think of dementia, we think of a person’s loss of memory and the confusion this may cause with identifying loved ones or timeframes. But people living with dementia may also have different sensory perceptions, which makes them see things differently.

Dementia Australia has a range of useful tools and tips for creating a dementia-friendly environment so that the home remains familiar, but is more accessible and safer. Some of the top tips include:

• Consider colour contrasts between doors and walls and between doors and architraves

• Perhaps have a different colour door for the toilet

• Put up signs (in Arial or Helvetica font) or photos to indicate the function of a room

• Use larger size light and power switches

• Set up a whiteboard or calendar to post notes and reminders.

Sometimes, the home environment is not safe enough and a move into residential care may be needed. When selecting the right provider, ask lots of questions to determine how the provider can meet the needs of a person with dementia.

If you are impacted by dementia or you are worried about a family member or friend, take a look at the range of information and tools at Dementia Australia’s website www.dementia.org.au . And call us on 02 6056 8777 to make an appointment to talk about the support available with Home Care Packages or residential care, what it will cost and how to manage your cashflow to pay for the care you need.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: © Aged Care Steps Pty Limited, 2021. Used with permission. The information (including taxation) contained within this document does not consider your personal circumstances and is of a general nature only - unless otherwise stated. You should not act on it without first obtaining professional advice specific to your circumstances. RI Advice Group Pty Ltd, ABN 23 001 774 125 AFSL 238429

Aged Care Article - How to choose a residential aged care service

Fri, 13 Aug 2021 01:55:18 GMT

How to choose a residential aged care service

Moving into residential care is a move to a new home. Even though this is not a home you are buying, if you think about it in terms of a property transaction it might help you to build a checklist to make the right choice.

When you last bought (or rented) a home, you probably did not start your research by looking for the cheapest option, but rather you began by thinking about where you wanted to live and what sort of lifestyle you wanted. This is also a good place to start when choosing residential aged care.

Aged Care Article - Moving into care - do I have to sell my home?

Fri, 09 Jul 2021 04:20:07 GMT

Moving into care - do I have to sell my home?

If moving into residential aged care, do you really have to sell your home? What are your choices? Myths and misunderstanding about the rules can add to anxiety and confusion.

The stress of moving into residential aged care can be compounded by anxiety around selling the family home. Some people may find it hard to part with their home or may not be ready to sell. This can raise concerns about how to afford the fees.

Knowing that you have choices, and accessing advice to understand these choices may help to reduce stress and create a better outcome...

Aged Care Article - Decision-making using a power of attorney

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 04:43:52 GMT

Decision-making using a power of attorney

The time may come when you need to make financial decisions on behalf of a parent as the Enduring Power of Attorney (EPoA). Is this an honour or a burden? It can be both, so the person taking on the role needs to understand both the legal obligations as well as family responsibilities.

Making decisions using an EPoA

A power of attorney is given the authority to make decisions and authorise transactions in relation to property and financial affairs. If it is an enduring power, this authority remains effective even after the donor has lost mental capacity – most important for an older person....

Market Wrap - June 2021

Fri, 25 Jun 2021 04:29:12 GMT

Market Wrap

"Risk on" markets continued

• Global shares rose 1% and 1.2% in hedged and unhedged terms, respectively. The rotation to stocks benefitting from a strong economic recovery regained favour in May. Continued decline of coronavirus cases in Europe and the US helped drive these cyclical names higher.

• Australian shares underperformed outperformed global shares slightly, rising 2.3% in May. The leading sectors were financials (up 4.4%), healthcare (up 3.5%) and consumer discretionary stocks (up 3.4%). Technology (down 9.9%), Utilities (down 7%) and Energy (down 1.8%) were amongst the worst performers. Weakness in buy-now, pay-later operator Afterpay (down 21.1%) drove the tech sector result.....

Federal Budget 2021/22

Thu, 13 May 2021 03:45:56 GMT

Federal Budget Update 2021/22

How will the Federal Budget affect you?

During this year’s Federal Budget announcement Treasurer Josh Frydenberg stated “Australia is back!”. The Budget proposes positive changes to superannuation, an extension of the low and middle income tax offsets and a boost to aged care services....

Market Wrap - March 2021

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 06:08:31 GMT

Market Wrap

Vaccinations continue climbing

• Global shares rose 2.7% and 1.6% in hedged and unhedged terms, respectively. The rotation to stocks benefitting from a strong economic recovery persisted into February. A rally in oil and other commodity prices boosted returns for energy and mining stocks.

• Australian shares underperformed global shares rising 1.5% in February. The market was led by strength from the mining (up 7.2%), financial (up 4.5%) and energy (up 2%) sectors. Energy stocks rose in line with continued strength in oil prices as investors anticipated economic recovery (and higher oil demand) after vaccination rollout. Renewed interest in renewable technology and electric vehicles drove a bid for copper and nickel miners such as IGO Ltd (+9.5%).

Keeping in Touch - March 2021

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 05:57:13 GMT

Understanding some of the aged care terminology

Aged care is a complex and emotive topic and many people don’t think about their aged care needs until the time to do something is upon them – at which point the options can be limiting. This article explains a couple of the key areas to consider around your aged care plan.

Market Wrap - February 2021

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 05:53:22 GMT

Market Wrap

Vaccination rollouts en masse

Global shares fell 0.8% and 0.4% in hedged and unhedged terms, respectively. Global equities were influenced in part by volatility in US markets. Sizeable retail-initiated positioning in certain small stocks triggered de-leveraging (selling positions) by investors and contributed to broader market weakness. In addition, concerns additional stimulus would not be forthcoming weighed on the US market....

Keeping in Touch - February 2021

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 01:48:27 GMT

What financial mistakes have you made? Could they have been avoided?

Have you made a big financial mistake in the past? One that cost you a lot of time and money to fix? One that caused you a big headache? Financial stress can be a major trigger for a lot of people, it is a big burden to carry around, but not one you need to carry alone. Speaking to a professional Financial Adviser can set your mind at ease once you have a plan in place and a financial goal to build towards...

Market Wrap - January 2021

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 03:05:00 GMT

Market Wrap

Vaccine hopes remained high...

Global shares rose 3.4% and fell 0.5% in hedged and unhedged terms, respectively. Global equities were weighed down by a rotation into stocks that stand to benefit from coronavirus vaccine rollouts such as oil producers. By contrast names that had gained from the “working-from-home” dynamic such as video conferencing tool Zoom saw its share price fall over 29%...

Keeping in Touch - January 2021

Fri, 22 Jan 2021 03:04:50 GMT

Staying cyber safe this year

With the increased activity online – be it due to working from home, home schooling, or simply because we have found a great availability of engaging and interesting content and streaming services, we are online a lot more and need to consider if we are adhering to safe cyber practices at home. This means having the right protective measures in place, and ensuring we are discussing safe cyber practices with other members of our household.

Aged Care Article

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 23:24:23 GMT

Retirement village or aged care?

Throughout our lives we make choices about where to live, largely driven by lifestyle, work or family. However, as we get older our health or increasing levels of frailty may have a greater impact on these choices. Homes come in a variety of shapes, styles and legal structures. Planning ahead and researching options can help you to make a well-informed decision when you think you need to move...

Market Wrap - November 2020

Thu, 19 Nov 2020 23:57:57 GMT

Market Wrap

Pandemic Concerns reappear...

Global shares fell -3.2% and -1.1% in hedged and unhedged terms, respectively. Global equities were led on the downside by both US and European equities with the German market down over -9.4%. Australian shares outperformed global shares rising 1.9% in October. The market was led by strength from the banking (Financials up 6.3%) and tech sectors (up 8.96%)...

Keeping in Touch - November 2020

Mon, 09 Nov 2020 00:25:59 GMT

The value of having a financial adviser

Having an appropriate financial plan in place covers more than just investments and insurance. The same goes for a financial adviser – there are some you will just click with, who you will feel comfortable opening up to and working with over the long term, to improve your financial future.

Market Wrap - October 2020

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 01:03:44 GMT

Market Wrap

"Risk on" rally faltered...

Global shares fell 2.9% and 0.3% in hedged and unhedged terms, respectively. Global equities were led on the downside by the US market with Tech stocks struggling as the tech-heavy Nasdaq Index fell by -5.2% in USD terms. Australian shares underperformed global shares falling

-3.7% in September...

Federal Budget 2020/21

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 01:39:11 GMT

Federal Budget Announcements 2020/21

Federal Budget Summary

The announcements in this update are proposals unless stated otherwise. These proposals need to successfully pass through Parliament before becoming law and may be subject to change during this process. Click the Download link below to read through a summary of the announcements....

Keeping in Touch - October 2020

Sun, 11 Oct 2020 22:19:16 GMT

Developing better money habits

The cost of goods and services will always be on the rise

The increasing cost of goods and services is a reality most Australians have to deal with. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that living expenses for employee households were up by 1.1% from March 2020, compared to March 2019...

Market Wrap - September 2020

Fri, 18 Sep 2020 00:05:18 GMT

Market Wrap

Risk asset Strength continued

Global shares rose 6.2% and 3.5% in hedged and unhedged terms, respectively. Global equities continue to be led by the US market with Tech stocks the leaders as the tech-heavy Nasdaq Index rose by 9.6% in USD terms. The Australian dollar (AUD) also continued to rally from its climb from late March lows with an 1.1% rise against major currencies and a 3.3% gain against the US dollar notably...

Market Wrap - August 2020

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 01:52:18 GMT

Market Wrap

The recovery rally marches on

Global shares rose 3.3% and 0.6% in hedged and unhedged terms, respectively. Emerging markets continued to rally (up 4.6%) driven by stronger economic data in China with business surveys such as the Caixin PMI pointing to stronger improvement while June quarter GDP showed a sharp bounce back into positive territory. State media also stoked a strong surge in retail shareholder buying...

An Update From Generations - August 2020

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 01:39:14 GMT

Whilst we are working differently, we are still here for you

Thankyou to all of our wonderful clients as we work through the challenges of this year. 2020 is continuing to prove to be a challenge for everyone, with no-one knowing quite what the next day will bring. We have put together an update to let you know what is happening with the team & the office. From staff changes to new processes we have included it all...

Keeping in Touch - August 2020

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 00:09:19 GMT

Life is expensive, and that’s not changing

If you are worried about the rising cost of living expenses and are not seeing any wage increases, then it’s time to get organised with your finances, set a realistic budget, work out what you can do without and where you can invest to save.

Market Wrap - July 2020

Thu, 16 Jul 2020 23:36:24 GMT

Market Wrap

The recovery rally marches on

Global shares rose 2.3% and fell -1.1% in hedged and unhedged terms, respectively. Emerging markets bounced back strongly (up 3.5%) driven by stronger economic data in China with business surveys such as the Caixin PMI seeing a return to growth continue for Chinese businesses...

Keeping in Touch - July 2020

Tue, 07 Jul 2020 00:32:40 GMT

Having enough in retirement

At some point you will retire. Many of us hope that is sooner, rather than later.

We hope that we can retire with enough life left in us to enjoy all the things that took a backseat during our working years. We want enough money to be comfortable and safe in the knowledge we won’t run out of money and have to go back to work, unless of course we want to....

Market Wrap -June 2020

Fri, 19 Jun 2020 00:59:34 GMT

Market Wrap

Global shares rose 4.7% and 3.4% in hedged and unhedged terms, respectively. Emerging markets continued to struggle (down -0.6%) with political tension within Hong Kong and heightened US tensions driving Chinese equities lower for the month (China accounts for ~40% of the benchmark index making a major driver)...

Keeping in Touch - June 2020

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 23:34:19 GMT

Make technology work for you

Are you a new technology pioneer, or a proud ‘technophobe’? Wherever you sit on the digital spectrum, the transformative power of technology is undeniable. What’s important is how you harness it. Read more...

Market Wrap -May 2020

Fri, 22 May 2020 06:17:36 GMT

Market Wrap

Global shares rose 10% and 3.6% in hedged and unhedged terms, respectively. Emerging markets were relative underperformers (up 2%) as their currencies remained under pressure during the month with the Australian dollar appreciating against the Chinese Yuan, Brazilian Real and others...

Overcoming the Impact of Coronavirus

Tue, 05 May 2020 23:23:12 GMT

How is world faring against the Coronavirus (a.k.a COVID-19)?

Since COVID-19 was first detected in China, transmission across the rest of the world has been substantial, as have been the number of deaths. There have been over 3.5 million confirmed cases and over 247,000 deaths. However overall growth rates have slowed globally....

The Governments JobKeeper Payment Explained

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 04:53:03 GMT

On 30 March 2020, the Federal Government announced the introduction of the JobKeeper Payment. The payment is a wage subsidy paid by the Government to businesses significantly impacted by the Coronavirus. This will allow employers to continue paying their employees whether they are able to work or not. The Government will provide $1,500 per fortnight (pf) per employee for up to six months to eligible businesses. The business must pass on the payment to eligible employees.

The Government's stimulus package in response to the Coronavirus

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 04:54:47 GMT

In response to the economic impact of the Coronavirus, the Government has announced a number of initiatives to help individuals and businesses at this uncertain time. The changes include accessing some of your super if you’re in financial stress, tax concessions for small businesses and changes to social security benefits.

generations

Aged care fee changes - what you need to know

Big changes are on the way for aged care, with new rules starting from 1 July 2025

5 key things to know about new Aged Care fees

Big changes are on the way for aged care, with new rules starting from 1 July 2025

Federal Budget May 2023

The 2023 Federal Budget focuses on providing cost of living relief through lower power bills, higher welfare payments and more support for small business and housing.

The Festive Seasons Brings Families Together

When your family gathers over the festive season, it might present an opportunity to start planning for future care needs.

Shining a spotlight on elder abuse

Shining a spotlight on elder abuse

2022 Biggest Morning Tea

Biggest Morning Tea 2022

Aged Care Article - Granny Flats Need Caution

Granny flat arrangements may seem like a simple idea, but the implications are complex and filled with traps.

Supporting a person living with Dementia

Living with dementia can be unsettling and frustrating, but independence and quality of life can still be achieved with the right support and a few changes

Aged Care Article - How to choose a residential aged care service

How to choose a residential aged care service

Aged Care Article - Moving into care - do I have to sell my home?

Moving into care - do I have to sell my home?

Aged Care Article - Decision-making using a power of attorney

Decision-making using a power of attorney

Market Wrap - June 2021

Market Wrap

Federal Budget 2021/22

Federal Budget Update 2021/22

Market Wrap - March 2021

Market Wrap

Keeping in Touch - March 2021

Understanding some of the aged care terminology

Market Wrap - February 2021

Market Wrap

Keeping in Touch - February 2021

What financial mistakes have you made? Could they have been avoided?

Market Wrap - January 2021

Market Wrap

Keeping in Touch - January 2021

Staying cyber safe this year

Aged Care Article

Retirement village or aged care?

Market Wrap - November 2020

Market Wrap

Keeping in Touch - November 2020

The value of having a financial adviser

Market Wrap - October 2020

Market Wrap

Federal Budget 2020/21

Federal Budget Announcements 2020/21

Keeping in Touch - October 2020

Developing better money habits

Market Wrap - September 2020

Market Wrap

Market Wrap - August 2020

Market Wrap

An Update From Generations - August 2020

Whilst we are working differently, we are still here for you

Keeping in Touch - August 2020

Life is expensive, and that’s not changing

Market Wrap - July 2020

Market Wrap

Keeping in Touch - July 2020

Having enough in retirement

Market Wrap -June 2020

Market Wrap

Keeping in Touch - June 2020

Make technology work for you

Market Wrap -May 2020

Market Wrap

Overcoming the Impact of Coronavirus

The Governments JobKeeper Payment Explained

The Government's stimulus package in response to the Coronavirus

The 2023 Federal Budget focuses on providing cost of living relief
through lower power bills, higher welfare payments and more support for small business and housing.