Accredited Aged Care Financial Advice
Clear financial advice when aged care decisions can’t wait.
For you when it matters.
For you when it matters most
Making decisions about aged care is rarely simple.
You’re often trying to take in complex financial information…
while also supporting someone you care about…
and making decisions that can have long-term consequences for your family.
It can feel like a lot, very quickly.
Our role is to help you slow things down, make sense of what matters, and move forward with clarity – not guesswork.
Why aged care decisions can feel overwhelming
Aged care isn’t just one decision, it’s a series of important decisions, often made under pressure.
Families are usually trying to navigate:
Complex and unfamiliar fee structures
Decisions around the family home
The impact on Age Pension and cashflow
Time-sensitive choices about care and accommodation
Conversations between multiple family members, often with different priorities
And all of this is happening at a time when emotions are already high.
It’s a lot to process – especially when you’re expected to get it right.
Rather than trying to understand everything at once, it helps to focus on the few decisions that have the biggest impact.
That’s where we come in.
We help you cut through the noise, understand how the system actually applies to your situation, and make clear, confident decisions about what to do next.
What does aged care actually cost?
Aged care isn’t a single fee – it’s a combination of costs that work together.
And this is where many families get caught out.
Two people in the same aged care home, even in similar rooms, can end up paying very different amounts depending on how their finances are structured and the decisions they make early on.
Understanding how these pieces fit together is one of the most important steps before committing to anything.
Most aged care costs generally fall into four areas:
1. Accommodation payments
This is the cost of the room.
You can usually choose how to pay it:
A lump sum (called a RAD – Refundable Accommodation Deposit)
A daily payment (called a DAP)
Or a combination of both
The key decision here isn’t just how much you pay, it’s how you structure it.
Because this choice can affect:
your cashflow
your Age Pension
and what you leave behind for your family
2. Daily care fee
This is the standard contribution toward everyday living costs – things like meals, cleaning, laundry and utilities.
Everyone in residential aged care pays this fee, regardless of financial situation.
Think of this as the “baseline cost” of being in care.
3. Means-tested contribution
Depending on your income and assets, you may pay an additional contribution toward care.
This is calculated by Services Australia and varies from person to person.
This is where structure really matters – small changes can have a meaningful impact on what you pay over time.
4. Additional or lifestyle fees
Some homes offer optional extras – things like upgraded rooms, entertainment, or additional services.
These are set by the provider and can vary significantly.
This is where families often benefit from structured advice – not just understanding the fees, but knowing how to make the right decisions around them.
Why this matters more than most people realise
On paper, these fees might seem straightforward.
In reality, it’s how they interact that matters.
Because:
The way you fund accommodation can affect your pension
Decisions about the family home can change your overall costs
And choosing between RAD and DAP can significantly impact your cashflow over time
This is where many families unknowingly make decisions that increase costs or reduce long-term flexibility.
The key takeaway
It’s not just about understanding each fee in isolation.
It’s about understanding:
how they work together
how they apply to your situation
and what decisions give you the best overall outcome
That’s where personalised advice can make a real difference.
The decisions that shape your outcome
The financial outcome of aged care is not determined by one fee. It is shaped by a combination of decisions working together.
Some of the most important include:
what happens to the former home
how accommodation is funded
whether enough reliable cashflow can be created
how assets are assessed
how Age Pension and aged care fees may interact
how your estate plan may be affected
This is why we take a broader view.
We do not just explain the rules. We help families understand how each decision may affect the overall outcome, both now and into the future.
Aged care decisions don’t sit in isolation, and neither should the advice
Aged care isn’t just about accommodation fees or choosing between a RAD and a DAP.
The decisions you make here flow through to:
your retirement income
your Age Pension
your assets (including the family home)
your tax position
and what you ultimately leave behind
That’s why the right approach looks at the full picture – not just one piece.
How we help you navigate this
When you work with ACru, our role isn’t just to explain the system.
It’s to help you make clear, confident decisions within it.
We work with you to:
Understand your current position – income, assets, and priorities
Clarify your options, including how different fee structures apply to you
Model the financial impact of key decisions before anything is locked in
Guide decisions around funding care, including the role of the family home
Help align family members so everyone understands the plan
Support the next steps so you can move forward with confidence
Our aged care advice process: what to expect
Aged care decisions are rarely improved by guesswork. Our process is designed to help you move forward with clarity.
Understand the situation
We begin by understanding your financial position, priorities and family circumstances.
Clarify the options
We work through the practical care and funding choices available, so you can see what is possible.
Model the numbers
Where appropriate, we compare scenarios so you can see how different decisions may affect cashflow, fees and longer-term outcomes.
Consider the wider financial and family impact
We look at the implications for the family home, Age Pension, access to cash and estate planning.
Support the next steps
Aged care is not always a one-off decision. Circumstances and legislation can change, and it is important that the strategy still fits.
Aged care is about more than care - it’s about life, connection, and feeling supported.
Why families speak with us early
Early advice can make a meaningful difference.
It allows more time to:
Weigh up choices calmly
Avoid rushed financial decisions
Understand potential costs before committing
Coordinate family conversations
Consider longer-term implications, not just immediate ones
In other words, it helps replace panic with a plan.
Supporting Sunshine Coast families
We are local to the Sunshine Coast and understand the importance of practical, human advice when life changes quickly.
Families often come to us when they want more than a generic explanation. They want someone who can help them think clearly, understand the trade-offs, and move forward with a strategy that supports both care needs and financial wellbeing.
Frequently asked questions about aged care financial advice
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The cost depends on the type of care, the provider, your assets and income, and how accommodation is structured. Most people pay a combination of accommodation, care and possible additional service fees.
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This is one of the most common questions families ask.
A RAD is a lump sum accommodation payment. A DAP is an ongoing daily payment. Some people choose a blend of both.
The right approach depends on your broader financial position, including:
available cash
whether the home will be retained, rented or sold
your need for ongoing income
potential Age Pension impacts
estate planning considerations
how much flexibility you want to keep
The important thing is this: a higher upfront payment is not always the wrong move, and a lower upfront payment is not always the smartest one. It depends on the strategy around it.
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Not always. Selling the home too early can have unintended impacts on cash flow, the Age Pension, and future estate outcomes. We compare keeping, renting or selling the home so you can see the real‑world effect of each path - and choose the option that best supports your loved one and your family’s long‑term plans.
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My Aged Care is the Australian Government’s starting point for accessing aged care services. It provides information about available care options, arranges assessments to determine eligibility, and connects you with approved providers. Through My Aged Care, you can access a wide range of support - including help at home (such as cleaning, personal care, meals, transport, and allied health), short‑term or transitional care after a hospital stay, respite services for carers, and residential aged care when living at home is no longer possible. It also explains what costs may apply and the funding you may be eligible for.
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Yes. Advice can help families understand the likely costs, compare scenarios and make more informed decisions about assets, cashflow, fees and the bigger picture.
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Ideally, earlier than you think. Advice is often most valuable before a decision is locked in and while more options are still available.
If your family is weighing up aged care decisions, you do not need to work it all out alone.
We can help you understand the costs, the options and the strategy behind the decision, so you can move forward with more confidence.
“Planning aged care isn’t about slowing down - it’s making sure there’s still a swing to sit on and a breeze to enjoy. A little foresight today means more freedom, comfort, and peace of mind for tomorrow - for you and those you love”
