Finding your way through Australia’s aged-care system with expert advice.
We are finding more clients are needing support and advice with the transition for parents or a partner into aged care.
The aged care transition can be difficult to navigate with aged care fees, the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) process, funding options and residential care contracts plus the additional stress and emotional response of ensuring your loved one will be cared for.
During stressful times that involve significant financial decisions it is helpful to have a trusted adviser and sounding board.
At First Samuel, we help clients and their families make calm, informed decisions about aged care. Our advisers provide personalised guidance that brings confidence, clarity and structure ensuring your financial decisions support both immediate care needs and long-term family wealth.
Why specialist aged-care advice matters
Most financial planners can explain the basic elements of aged care and the different types of care and placement options. But aged-care decisions involve far more than eligibility assessments and calculations such as how Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RADs), Daily Accommodation Payment (DAPs) are means-tested and how fees are calculated.
Financial planners can also help understand complexity around funding aged care, clarifying the Centrelink and tax implications which can influence estate planning, cash flow, tax outcomes, family dynamics and long-term wealth preservation. However, the decisions around aged-care can often affect adult children and grandchildren.
This is where First Samuel provides support and guidance that goes beyond traditional advice.
How First Samuel helps your family navigate aged care
1. Clear guidance on ACAT assessments and eligibility
Many families do not know when or whether to pursue an ACAT assessment. We explain the eligibility criteria, prepare clients for the assessment, and help determine the right level of care. Our team of experts help you and your family to understand what your options are before agreement is made and costs are incurred.
2. Facilitating sensitive family conversations
Aged care is an emotional issue which often involves difficult family conversations. First Samuel’s Private Client Advisers act as neutral facilitators. In this difficult time, we helpfamilies align on goals, understand the financial implications, and make educated decisions that respect the wishes of the person entering care.
3. Reviewing and negotiating aged-care contracts
Reviewing and negotiating aged-care contracts can be challenging, as residential agreements and fee structures are often complex and difficult to interpret.
We support our clients by:
- reviewing contracts in detail
- clarifying the implications of RAD versus DAP decisions
- identifying components that may be negotiable
- ensuring any agreement aligns with estate, tax and wealth strategies.
Our detailed approach helps protect families from unnecessary costs and unintended long-term consequences.
4. Negotiating fees and funding structures
It’s assumed that aged care costs are immovable with little room for negotiations. We help clients assess the various payment options available, structure funding across assets, superannuation and income, optimise Centrelink outcomes, and maintain flexibility for future estate decisions.
Our financial modelling helps families understand the long-term affordability of different scenarios before committing to an aged care facility for the family member.
5. Integrating aged-care decisions with estate planning and tax strategy
Funding choices can significantly influence capital gains, superannuation balances, trust distributions, future inheritances and social security entitlements.
Our advisers work with you to ensure decisions around aged care align with your estate plan, while minimising tax burdens, and preserving intergenerational wealth.
6. Intergenerational tax and wealth planning
We work with families to structure decisions in a way that supports long-term goals, protects assets and preserves family wealth for future generations
How First Samuel supports clients through every stage of aged care
Aged care is one of the most sensitive financial decisions a family can face. With the right support and trusted adviser, your loved one who is entering care will be looked after while also considering their children and grandchildren.
Our team of experts provide aged care advice that helps your family feel informed, calm and supported during an emotional period.
Clients choose First Samuel because we provide:
• transparent, tailored aged-care advice
• deep technical expertise
• support during emotionally difficult moments
• strategies that protect wealth and maximise choice
• a trusted adviser who understands your family, your values and your long-term goals
If you’re preparing for aged care, comparing facilities, or simply want to understand your options, First Samuel can help you make confident and informed decisions.
Speak with a First Samuel Private Client Adviser today to begin planning with clarity.
– Braith Morrow, Head of Advice
Watch the video below as Braith explains more.