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        <title>AdviserVoiceAssyat David Archives - AdviserVoice</title>
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                <title>Advisers move earlier as aged care reforms reshape family decisions</title>
                <link>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2026/10/advisers-move-earlier-as-aged-care-reforms-reshape-family-decisions/</link>
                <comments>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2026/10/advisers-move-earlier-as-aged-care-reforms-reshape-family-decisions/#respond</comments>
                <pubDate>Thu, 29 Oct 2026 20:30:05 +0000</pubDate>
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                		<category><![CDATA[Aged Care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assyat David]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Belinda Veriton]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leah Newman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nathan Fradley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phil Anderson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shaun Ganguly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sue Viskovic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zachary Dodds]]></category>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.adviservoice.com.au/?p=114895</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<h3><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-90473" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/awards-donna.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="350" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/awards-donna.jpg 650w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/awards-donna-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" />Aged care advisers are building new ways to reach families before a crisis hits, according to the finalists for the 2026 Aged Care Steps (ACS) Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards.</h3>
<p>Since the Aged Care Act reforms took effect on 1 November 2025, navigating through the rules has become more complicated, often with anxious families making rapid decisions. The shortlisted advisers and practices have responded with community expos, referral pathways with hospitals and aged care providers, and education for the aged care and other support services that families often speak to first.</p>
<p>“Since the new Aged Care Act took effect, families have been coming to advice with more questions and a lot of conflicting information about what they’ll pay. What stands out across this year’s finalists is that the advisers haven’t waited for those families to find them. They’ve been working with hospitals, aged care providers and within their communities so families are referred earlier. Some have also built pro bono pathways for people who would otherwise go without advice. The earlier an accredited aged care adviser is involved, the more genuine choice a family has,” says Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps (ACS).</p>
<p>This year’s finalist list includes both 2025 category winners, Zachary Dodds CFP<sup>®</sup> of Muirfield Financial Services and Alteris Financial Group, but also includes some new emerging specialists.</p>
<h2>2026 Aged Care Adviser of the Year finalists</h2>
<p><strong>Belinda Veriton, RFS Advice:</strong> A finalist in 2022 and 2024, Belinda has led the growth of RFS’s Elderly Care offering. She has spent considerable time vetting Support at Home providers across South East Queensland so she can guide families with confidence.</p>
<p><strong>Leah Newman, Yield Financial Planning:</strong> Leah has more than 17 years in financial services, over eight of them specialising in aged care, and was a finalist in 2022 and 2025. In the six weeks before the reforms began, she and her team advised eight new clients and delivered every strategy paper ahead of the deadline.</p>
<p><strong>Nathan Fradley FChFP, Fradley Advice:</strong> Nathan founded his advice business around complex life transitions, including aged care, divorce and estates. He describes his approach as “uncle-proofing”: giving clients a clear enough understanding to confidently explain their choices to family. He shares his expertise widely through podcasts and conference appearances.</p>
<p><strong>Shaun Ganguly CFP<sup>®</sup>, Aged Care Financial Planning:</strong> Shaun started his practice, which works exclusively in aged care and retirement funding advice, after helping his own family through the system. His team works directly with care providers and Services Australia so families aren’t left to manage the paperwork alone.</p>
<p><strong>Zachary Dodds CFP<sup>®</sup>, Muirfield Financial Services:</strong> Recognised in these Awards every year since 2022, Zac has spent the past year running community education sessions in retirement villages, aged care services and libraries. He has also built a structured pro bono pathway for families referred by hospitals and care providers.</p>
<p>All five ACS Aged Care Adviser of the Year finalists are Accredited Aged Care Professionals&#x2122;.</p>
<h2>Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year finalists</h2>
<p><strong>Alteris Financial Group:</strong> A three-time winner in this category, Alteris responded to confusion over the new fees by educating the people families turn to first. The team presented on the reforms to around 500 advisers and ran sessions for aged care provider staff and the public.</p>
<p><strong>Muirfield Financial Services:</strong> A finalist for the third year running, the Geelong practice grew its free annual Aged Care Expo to 48 stallholders. It also developed a simple referral tool that lets hospitals, charities and aged care providers request pro bono help on a family’s behalf. Referrals rose sharply once it was introduced.</p>
<p><strong>RFS Advice:</strong> The Gold Coast practice broadened its aged care advice into a wider Elderly Care service. After extensive due diligence, it narrowed its preferred Support at Home network to ten providers. It also partnered with community radio station 4CRB on a public seminar.</p>
<p><strong>Yield Financial Planning:</strong> Yield turned its free Aged Care eBook into an automated email series and rebuilt its aged care web page as a resource hub. It also built a dedicated aged care team that includes a Services Australia and Centrelink liaison officer. Demand has grown to the point where Leah Newman now focuses solely on aged care advice and business development.</p>
<h2>Judging the applicants</h2>
<p>Each of this year’s applications was reviewed and assessed by an independent panel of industry experts: Phil Anderson, GM Policy, Advocacy &amp; Standards at FAAA; Sue Viskovic, Head of Consulting at VBP; and Andrew Inwood, Founder of CoreData Group.</p>
<p>Winners will be announced on Tuesday 17 November 2026. F</p>

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                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3><img decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-90473" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/awards-donna.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="350" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/awards-donna.jpg 650w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/awards-donna-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" />Aged care advisers are building new ways to reach families before a crisis hits, according to the finalists for the 2026 Aged Care Steps (ACS) Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards.</h3>
<p>Since the Aged Care Act reforms took effect on 1 November 2025, navigating through the rules has become more complicated, often with anxious families making rapid decisions. The shortlisted advisers and practices have responded with community expos, referral pathways with hospitals and aged care providers, and education for the aged care and other support services that families often speak to first.</p>
<p>“Since the new Aged Care Act took effect, families have been coming to advice with more questions and a lot of conflicting information about what they’ll pay. What stands out across this year’s finalists is that the advisers haven’t waited for those families to find them. They’ve been working with hospitals, aged care providers and within their communities so families are referred earlier. Some have also built pro bono pathways for people who would otherwise go without advice. The earlier an accredited aged care adviser is involved, the more genuine choice a family has,” says Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps (ACS).</p>
<p>This year’s finalist list includes both 2025 category winners, Zachary Dodds CFP<sup>®</sup> of Muirfield Financial Services and Alteris Financial Group, but also includes some new emerging specialists.</p>
<h2>2026 Aged Care Adviser of the Year finalists</h2>
<p><strong>Belinda Veriton, RFS Advice:</strong> A finalist in 2022 and 2024, Belinda has led the growth of RFS’s Elderly Care offering. She has spent considerable time vetting Support at Home providers across South East Queensland so she can guide families with confidence.</p>
<p><strong>Leah Newman, Yield Financial Planning:</strong> Leah has more than 17 years in financial services, over eight of them specialising in aged care, and was a finalist in 2022 and 2025. In the six weeks before the reforms began, she and her team advised eight new clients and delivered every strategy paper ahead of the deadline.</p>
<p><strong>Nathan Fradley FChFP, Fradley Advice:</strong> Nathan founded his advice business around complex life transitions, including aged care, divorce and estates. He describes his approach as “uncle-proofing”: giving clients a clear enough understanding to confidently explain their choices to family. He shares his expertise widely through podcasts and conference appearances.</p>
<p><strong>Shaun Ganguly CFP<sup>®</sup>, Aged Care Financial Planning:</strong> Shaun started his practice, which works exclusively in aged care and retirement funding advice, after helping his own family through the system. His team works directly with care providers and Services Australia so families aren’t left to manage the paperwork alone.</p>
<p><strong>Zachary Dodds CFP<sup>®</sup>, Muirfield Financial Services:</strong> Recognised in these Awards every year since 2022, Zac has spent the past year running community education sessions in retirement villages, aged care services and libraries. He has also built a structured pro bono pathway for families referred by hospitals and care providers.</p>
<p>All five ACS Aged Care Adviser of the Year finalists are Accredited Aged Care Professionals<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/2122.png" alt="™" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />.</p>
<h2>Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year finalists</h2>
<p><strong>Alteris Financial Group:</strong> A three-time winner in this category, Alteris responded to confusion over the new fees by educating the people families turn to first. The team presented on the reforms to around 500 advisers and ran sessions for aged care provider staff and the public.</p>
<p><strong>Muirfield Financial Services:</strong> A finalist for the third year running, the Geelong practice grew its free annual Aged Care Expo to 48 stallholders. It also developed a simple referral tool that lets hospitals, charities and aged care providers request pro bono help on a family’s behalf. Referrals rose sharply once it was introduced.</p>
<p><strong>RFS Advice:</strong> The Gold Coast practice broadened its aged care advice into a wider Elderly Care service. After extensive due diligence, it narrowed its preferred Support at Home network to ten providers. It also partnered with community radio station 4CRB on a public seminar.</p>
<p><strong>Yield Financial Planning:</strong> Yield turned its free Aged Care eBook into an automated email series and rebuilt its aged care web page as a resource hub. It also built a dedicated aged care team that includes a Services Australia and Centrelink liaison officer. Demand has grown to the point where Leah Newman now focuses solely on aged care advice and business development.</p>
<h2>Judging the applicants</h2>
<p>Each of this year’s applications was reviewed and assessed by an independent panel of industry experts: Phil Anderson, GM Policy, Advocacy &amp; Standards at FAAA; Sue Viskovic, Head of Consulting at VBP; and Andrew Inwood, Founder of CoreData Group.</p>
<p>Winners will be announced on Tuesday 17 November 2026. F</p>

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<p>The post <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2026/10/advisers-move-earlier-as-aged-care-reforms-reshape-family-decisions/">Advisers move earlier as aged care reforms reshape family decisions</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au">AdviserVoice</a>.</p>
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                <title>It’s time advisers had ‘The Burden Conversation&#x2122;’</title>
                <link>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2026/09/its-time-advisers-had-the-burden-conversation/</link>
                <comments>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2026/09/its-time-advisers-had-the-burden-conversation/#respond</comments>
                <pubDate>Tue, 22 Sep 2026 21:25:16 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator>
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                		<category><![CDATA[Aged Care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assyat David]]></category>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.adviservoice.com.au/?p=114151</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_61747" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-61747" class="size-full wp-image-61747" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="350" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg 650w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /><p id="caption-attachment-61747" class="wp-caption-text">Assyat David</p></div>
<h3 dir="auto" data-start="197" data-end="547">Planning for frailty and aged care must become a core part of the advice proposition, not an add-on that is only delivered during a crisis, with new data finding that Australians over age 65 are spending a larger share of their retirement living with a severe disability, according to advice specialists, Aged Care Steps.</h3>
<p dir="auto" data-start="549" data-end="896">In the group’s latest paper, <em>Planning for the third phase of retirement</em>, Aged Care Steps warned that traditional advice models neglected critical issues, such as planning for “frailty” and the significant medical, healthcare and emotional needs required at the backend of retirement. As a result, many clients are exposed at their most vulnerable.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="898" data-end="1177">According to Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps, financial advisers should actively and regularly discuss aged care decisions with clients, given the potential to affect retirement income, superannuation, social security, tax, estate planning, housing and family outcomes.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="1179" data-end="1422">“During the frailty period, the rising incidence of dementia, increasing care costs and greater burden on family are making aged care decisions more complex and consequential, creating both a client need and an advice opportunity.” David said.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="1424" data-end="1637">“Advisers who focus only on investments and early-stage retirement may lose relevance as clients seek comprehensive advice and much-needed reassurance to support their transition through the phases of retirement.”</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="1639" data-end="1975">The Aged Care Steps paper identifies three distinct phases of retirement: the active years, quiet years and frailty years, and urged advisers to review their approach to client reviews and portfolio construction to ensure that investment structures and strategies meet the specific needs of retirees, during each of those unique stages.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="1977" data-end="2234">Louise Biti, Director of Aged Care Steps, said the advice process needed to move beyond straight-line retirement planning and include regular discussions about contingency planning for the later-life years, which the paper termed “The Burden Conversation&#x2122;”.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="2236" data-end="2470">“The focus has traditionally been on building a retirement income stream and managing risks like longevity, liquidity, investment risk and sequencing risk, but clients face another risk that receives far less attention, frailty risk.”</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="2472" data-end="2664">“This includes the financial, personal and family consequences that arise when declining health and increasing care needs are not adequately planned for.”</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="2666" data-end="2941">“The burden conversation can help clients clarify their preferences and understand their options before decisions become urgent &#8211; giving them greater choice, control and confidence, while reducing the risk of rushed decisions, family conflict and avoidable financial stress.”</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="2943" data-end="3227">The Aged Care Steps paper features The Burden Conversation&#x2122; checklist, which focuses on four key discussion areas for retirement planning and review meetings to support advisers and clients to translate concerns into practical plans that improve future choice, control and confidence.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="3229" data-end="3410">The paper concluded that aged care advice represents an increasingly important but underserved area, presenting a significant growth opportunity for the financial advice profession.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="3412" data-end="3669">Whether through accreditation, outsourcing or referral partnerships, aged care advice should become an integrated part of retirement planning and a practical way to improve client outcomes, manage later-life risks and build more resilient advice businesses.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="3671" data-end="3744">The paper, <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/220926_ACS_New_Paper_Media.pdf"><em>Planning for the third phase of retirement</em></a>, is available here.</p>

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                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_61747-2" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-61747-2" class="size-full wp-image-61747" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="350" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg 650w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /><p id="caption-attachment-61747-2" class="wp-caption-text">Assyat David</p></div>
<h3 dir="auto" data-start="197" data-end="547">Planning for frailty and aged care must become a core part of the advice proposition, not an add-on that is only delivered during a crisis, with new data finding that Australians over age 65 are spending a larger share of their retirement living with a severe disability, according to advice specialists, Aged Care Steps.</h3>
<p dir="auto" data-start="549" data-end="896">In the group’s latest paper, <em>Planning for the third phase of retirement</em>, Aged Care Steps warned that traditional advice models neglected critical issues, such as planning for “frailty” and the significant medical, healthcare and emotional needs required at the backend of retirement. As a result, many clients are exposed at their most vulnerable.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="898" data-end="1177">According to Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps, financial advisers should actively and regularly discuss aged care decisions with clients, given the potential to affect retirement income, superannuation, social security, tax, estate planning, housing and family outcomes.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="1179" data-end="1422">“During the frailty period, the rising incidence of dementia, increasing care costs and greater burden on family are making aged care decisions more complex and consequential, creating both a client need and an advice opportunity.” David said.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="1424" data-end="1637">“Advisers who focus only on investments and early-stage retirement may lose relevance as clients seek comprehensive advice and much-needed reassurance to support their transition through the phases of retirement.”</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="1639" data-end="1975">The Aged Care Steps paper identifies three distinct phases of retirement: the active years, quiet years and frailty years, and urged advisers to review their approach to client reviews and portfolio construction to ensure that investment structures and strategies meet the specific needs of retirees, during each of those unique stages.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="1977" data-end="2234">Louise Biti, Director of Aged Care Steps, said the advice process needed to move beyond straight-line retirement planning and include regular discussions about contingency planning for the later-life years, which the paper termed “The Burden Conversation<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/2122.png" alt="™" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" />”.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="2236" data-end="2470">“The focus has traditionally been on building a retirement income stream and managing risks like longevity, liquidity, investment risk and sequencing risk, but clients face another risk that receives far less attention, frailty risk.”</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="2472" data-end="2664">“This includes the financial, personal and family consequences that arise when declining health and increasing care needs are not adequately planned for.”</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="2666" data-end="2941">“The burden conversation can help clients clarify their preferences and understand their options before decisions become urgent &#8211; giving them greater choice, control and confidence, while reducing the risk of rushed decisions, family conflict and avoidable financial stress.”</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="2943" data-end="3227">The Aged Care Steps paper features The Burden Conversation<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/2122.png" alt="™" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> checklist, which focuses on four key discussion areas for retirement planning and review meetings to support advisers and clients to translate concerns into practical plans that improve future choice, control and confidence.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="3229" data-end="3410">The paper concluded that aged care advice represents an increasingly important but underserved area, presenting a significant growth opportunity for the financial advice profession.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="3412" data-end="3669">Whether through accreditation, outsourcing or referral partnerships, aged care advice should become an integrated part of retirement planning and a practical way to improve client outcomes, manage later-life risks and build more resilient advice businesses.</p>
<p dir="auto" data-start="3671" data-end="3744">The paper, <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/220926_ACS_New_Paper_Media.pdf"><em>Planning for the third phase of retirement</em></a>, is available here.</p>

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<p>The post <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2026/09/its-time-advisers-had-the-burden-conversation/">It’s time advisers had ‘The Burden Conversation&#x2122;’</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au">AdviserVoice</a>.</p>
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                <title>Aged Care Steps launches 2026 Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards</title>
                <link>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2026/08/aged-care-steps-launches-2026-aged-care-adviser-of-the-year-awards/</link>
                <comments>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2026/08/aged-care-steps-launches-2026-aged-care-adviser-of-the-year-awards/#respond</comments>
                <pubDate>Tue, 04 Aug 2026 20:20:00 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator>
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                		<category><![CDATA[Best Practice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assyat David]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kerri Mendl]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zachary Dodds]]></category>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.adviservoice.com.au/?p=113054</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<h3><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-90473" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/awards-donna.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="350" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/awards-donna.jpg 650w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/awards-donna-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" />Since the Aged Care Act reforms took effect on 1 November 2025, advisers across the country have had to get across a new accommodation pricing structure, a new Support at Home program, and a client base asking harder questions than ever before.</h3>
<p>A client&#8217;s choice of aged care adviser can be the difference between a smooth transition and a costly, stressful one. That stake is exactly what the Aged Care Adviser of the Year Award was built to recognise, and it is why Aged Care Steps (ACS) says the Award, now in its fifth year, matters more than ever.</p>
<p>Nominations for the 2026 Award are open, with two categories again open to individual advisers and advice businesses: the Aged Care Adviser of the Year, and the Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year.</p>
<h2>What winning means for recognised advisers</h2>
<p>For Zachary Dodds CFP<sup>®</sup>, the 2025 Aged Care Adviser of the Year, the recognition landed off the back of eight years spent building a specialist practice at Muirfield Financial Services.</p>
<p>“What sets good aged care advice apart isn&#8217;t just knowing the rules; it&#8217;s the network you build around a client: aged care providers, hospitals, other professionals who can be trusted to look after that family properly,&#8221; says Zac. &#8220;Being recognised twice by ACS in consecutive years tells me that approach is resonating, not just with clients but with the industry. It&#8217;s given me more conviction to keep raising the profile of aged care advice, not less.”</p>
<p>Kerri Mendl, Managing Adviser at Alteris Financial Group, the 2025 winners of the Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year, says the recognition validated a philosophy Alteris has held since 2014.</p>
<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve always believed that giving advice is only part of the job,&#8221; Kerri says. &#8220;What the award told us is that clients notice the difference when you meet them where they are in their journey, not just when they need advice. That&#8217;s what we built our client nurture program around, and it&#8217;s why winning in 2025, on top of our recognition in 2023 and 2022 is really significant for the Alteris team.&#8221;</p>
<h2>Why ACS continues to support advisers with the Award</h2>
<p>According to Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps, the Award exists to give proper weight to work that too often goes unrecognised.</p>
<p>&#8220;Aged care advice sits at one of the most stressful points in a family&#8217;s life, and doing it well takes a level of technical rigour and patience that doesn&#8217;t always get seen outside the advice room,&#8221; Assyat says. &#8220;We started this Award to change that. Every year the nominations remind us how much genuine expertise is out there, often from advisers who wouldn&#8217;t think to put themselves forward. If that&#8217;s you, we want to hear from you in 2026.&#8221;</p>
<h2>How to enter</h2>
<p>Advisers and advice businesses can nominate themselves or be nominated by a colleague. Entries are assessed by an independent panel of industry professionals.</p>
<p>Nominations close Friday 4 September at 6:00 pm Sydney time. Full details, category criteria and the nomination form are available at agedcaresteps.com.au.</p>

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                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-90473" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/awards-donna.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="350" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/awards-donna.jpg 650w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/awards-donna-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" />Since the Aged Care Act reforms took effect on 1 November 2025, advisers across the country have had to get across a new accommodation pricing structure, a new Support at Home program, and a client base asking harder questions than ever before.</h3>
<p>A client&#8217;s choice of aged care adviser can be the difference between a smooth transition and a costly, stressful one. That stake is exactly what the Aged Care Adviser of the Year Award was built to recognise, and it is why Aged Care Steps (ACS) says the Award, now in its fifth year, matters more than ever.</p>
<p>Nominations for the 2026 Award are open, with two categories again open to individual advisers and advice businesses: the Aged Care Adviser of the Year, and the Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year.</p>
<h2>What winning means for recognised advisers</h2>
<p>For Zachary Dodds CFP<sup>®</sup>, the 2025 Aged Care Adviser of the Year, the recognition landed off the back of eight years spent building a specialist practice at Muirfield Financial Services.</p>
<p>“What sets good aged care advice apart isn&#8217;t just knowing the rules; it&#8217;s the network you build around a client: aged care providers, hospitals, other professionals who can be trusted to look after that family properly,&#8221; says Zac. &#8220;Being recognised twice by ACS in consecutive years tells me that approach is resonating, not just with clients but with the industry. It&#8217;s given me more conviction to keep raising the profile of aged care advice, not less.”</p>
<p>Kerri Mendl, Managing Adviser at Alteris Financial Group, the 2025 winners of the Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year, says the recognition validated a philosophy Alteris has held since 2014.</p>
<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve always believed that giving advice is only part of the job,&#8221; Kerri says. &#8220;What the award told us is that clients notice the difference when you meet them where they are in their journey, not just when they need advice. That&#8217;s what we built our client nurture program around, and it&#8217;s why winning in 2025, on top of our recognition in 2023 and 2022 is really significant for the Alteris team.&#8221;</p>
<h2>Why ACS continues to support advisers with the Award</h2>
<p>According to Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps, the Award exists to give proper weight to work that too often goes unrecognised.</p>
<p>&#8220;Aged care advice sits at one of the most stressful points in a family&#8217;s life, and doing it well takes a level of technical rigour and patience that doesn&#8217;t always get seen outside the advice room,&#8221; Assyat says. &#8220;We started this Award to change that. Every year the nominations remind us how much genuine expertise is out there, often from advisers who wouldn&#8217;t think to put themselves forward. If that&#8217;s you, we want to hear from you in 2026.&#8221;</p>
<h2>How to enter</h2>
<p>Advisers and advice businesses can nominate themselves or be nominated by a colleague. Entries are assessed by an independent panel of industry professionals.</p>
<p>Nominations close Friday 4 September at 6:00 pm Sydney time. Full details, category criteria and the nomination form are available at agedcaresteps.com.au.</p>

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<p>The post <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2026/08/aged-care-steps-launches-2026-aged-care-adviser-of-the-year-awards/">Aged Care Steps launches 2026 Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au">AdviserVoice</a>.</p>
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                <title>Advice leaders call for urgent action on regulatory gaps in aged care advice</title>
                <link>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2026/02/advice-leaders-call-for-urgent-action-on-regulatory-gaps-in-aged-care-advice/</link>
                <comments>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2026/02/advice-leaders-call-for-urgent-action-on-regulatory-gaps-in-aged-care-advice/#respond</comments>
                <pubDate>Tue, 10 Feb 2026 20:20:05 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator>
                                    </dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Aged Care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assyat David]]></category>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.adviservoice.com.au/?p=109300</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_61747-3" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-61747-3" class="size-full wp-image-61747" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="350" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg 650w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /><p id="caption-attachment-61747-3" class="wp-caption-text">Assyat David</p></div>
<h3 class="p4"><b></b>Older Australians and their families are at significant risk of receiving “conflicted, inconsistent and inaccurate” advice on aged care from the growing number of unlicensed providers, exposing them to serious financial harm, due to gaps in the regulation of financial advice, according to a new paper from Aged Care Steps.</h3>
<p class="p4">Titled, <i>The risk of unregulated aged care advice: Protecting older Australians and ensuring quality advice</i>, the report urges the government, regulators and broader advice industry to make a clear distinction between personal advice and information in relation to aged care funding, citing a proliferation in “advice errors” given by Services Australia, aged care providers and other unlicensed players.</p>
<p class="p4">The paper identifies five major issues with how aged care advice is currently provided in Australia and makes five recommendations to strengthen consumer protections.</p>
<p class="p4">The recommendations are:</p>
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li5">Clarify aged care financial advice as Personal Financial Product Advice under the Corporations Act and require providers to be authorised under an Australian Financial Services Licensee (AFSL);</li>
<li class="li5">Enhance regulation and enforcement by strengthening the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s role in overseeing aged care financial advice;</li>
<li class="li5">Improve identification of licensed advisers by introducing financial planning specialisation categories, including aged care funding advice, on the Financial Advisers Register (FAR);</li>
<li class="li5">Launch a public campaign to educate consumers about value of licensed financial advice and how to find a licensed adviser; and</li>
<li class="li4">Explore ways to improve the affordability and accessibility of aged care advice, such as through subsidises or new service models.</li>
</ul>
<p class="p4">According to Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps, the current system lacks clear guidance and regulatory oversight, raising concerns about the quality and consistency of advice available, and the heightened potential for elder abuse.</p>
<p class="p4">“Decisions relating to aged care funding are among the most significant financial decisions many Australians will make, with long term consequences not just for the individual but also their families,” David said.</p>
<p class="p4">“This grey area of unregulated advice poses significant risks to consumers and highlights the urgent need for clearer guidelines and stricter regulations.”</p>
<p class="p4">“Without proper consumer protections, older Australians are at risk of making inappropriate decisions that could have serious financial and estate planning consequences.”</p>
<p class="p4">Louise Biti, Director of Aged Care Steps, added that addressing challenges in aged care financial advice was not just a matter of individual well-being but public policy concern.</p>
<p class="p4">“Aged care advice should only be provided by financial planners that have the necessary expertise and are authorised under an AFSL and, therefore, comply with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards,” Biti said.</p>
<p class="p4">“This approach would strengthen consumer protections due to the requirement for authorised advisers to act in their client&#8217;s best interests, meet minimum education and competency standards, and carry professional indemnity insurance to ensure compensation in cases of professional misconduct and participate in an external complaints resolution body. Unlicensed providers do not offer these protections.”</p>
<p class="p4">The Aged Care Steps report is based on extensive stakeholder consultation and considers academic research and international comparisons. It also features insights from a survey of over 90 participants in the aged care sector.</p>
<p class="p4"><a href="https://agedcaresteps.com.au/">Read the paper.</a></p>

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                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_61747-4" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-61747-4" class="size-full wp-image-61747" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="350" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg 650w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /><p id="caption-attachment-61747-4" class="wp-caption-text">Assyat David</p></div>
<h3 class="p4"><b></b>Older Australians and their families are at significant risk of receiving “conflicted, inconsistent and inaccurate” advice on aged care from the growing number of unlicensed providers, exposing them to serious financial harm, due to gaps in the regulation of financial advice, according to a new paper from Aged Care Steps.</h3>
<p class="p4">Titled, <i>The risk of unregulated aged care advice: Protecting older Australians and ensuring quality advice</i>, the report urges the government, regulators and broader advice industry to make a clear distinction between personal advice and information in relation to aged care funding, citing a proliferation in “advice errors” given by Services Australia, aged care providers and other unlicensed players.</p>
<p class="p4">The paper identifies five major issues with how aged care advice is currently provided in Australia and makes five recommendations to strengthen consumer protections.</p>
<p class="p4">The recommendations are:</p>
<ul class="ul1">
<li class="li5">Clarify aged care financial advice as Personal Financial Product Advice under the Corporations Act and require providers to be authorised under an Australian Financial Services Licensee (AFSL);</li>
<li class="li5">Enhance regulation and enforcement by strengthening the Australian Securities and Investments Commission’s role in overseeing aged care financial advice;</li>
<li class="li5">Improve identification of licensed advisers by introducing financial planning specialisation categories, including aged care funding advice, on the Financial Advisers Register (FAR);</li>
<li class="li5">Launch a public campaign to educate consumers about value of licensed financial advice and how to find a licensed adviser; and</li>
<li class="li4">Explore ways to improve the affordability and accessibility of aged care advice, such as through subsidises or new service models.</li>
</ul>
<p class="p4">According to Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps, the current system lacks clear guidance and regulatory oversight, raising concerns about the quality and consistency of advice available, and the heightened potential for elder abuse.</p>
<p class="p4">“Decisions relating to aged care funding are among the most significant financial decisions many Australians will make, with long term consequences not just for the individual but also their families,” David said.</p>
<p class="p4">“This grey area of unregulated advice poses significant risks to consumers and highlights the urgent need for clearer guidelines and stricter regulations.”</p>
<p class="p4">“Without proper consumer protections, older Australians are at risk of making inappropriate decisions that could have serious financial and estate planning consequences.”</p>
<p class="p4">Louise Biti, Director of Aged Care Steps, added that addressing challenges in aged care financial advice was not just a matter of individual well-being but public policy concern.</p>
<p class="p4">“Aged care advice should only be provided by financial planners that have the necessary expertise and are authorised under an AFSL and, therefore, comply with relevant laws, regulations, and ethical standards,” Biti said.</p>
<p class="p4">“This approach would strengthen consumer protections due to the requirement for authorised advisers to act in their client&#8217;s best interests, meet minimum education and competency standards, and carry professional indemnity insurance to ensure compensation in cases of professional misconduct and participate in an external complaints resolution body. Unlicensed providers do not offer these protections.”</p>
<p class="p4">The Aged Care Steps report is based on extensive stakeholder consultation and considers academic research and international comparisons. It also features insights from a survey of over 90 participants in the aged care sector.</p>
<p class="p4"><a href="https://agedcaresteps.com.au/">Read the paper.</a></p>

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<p>The post <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2026/02/advice-leaders-call-for-urgent-action-on-regulatory-gaps-in-aged-care-advice/">Advice leaders call for urgent action on regulatory gaps in aged care advice</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au">AdviserVoice</a>.</p>
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                <title>Aged Care Steps announces finalists for 2025 for Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards</title>
                <link>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2025/11/aged-care-steps-announces-finalists-for-2025-for-aged-care-adviser-of-the-year-awards/</link>
                <comments>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2025/11/aged-care-steps-announces-finalists-for-2025-for-aged-care-adviser-of-the-year-awards/#respond</comments>
                <pubDate>Thu, 13 Nov 2025 20:20:48 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator>
                                    </dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Best Practice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assyat David]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Brenda Will]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Craig Phillips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ilya Egorov]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leah Newman]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zachary Dodds]]></category>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.adviservoice.com.au/?p=107710</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_61747-5" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-61747-5" class="size-full wp-image-61747" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="350" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg 650w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /><p id="caption-attachment-61747-5" class="wp-caption-text">Assyat David</p></div>
<h3>Aged Care Steps, a leading voice in the aged care advice industry, has revealed the Finalists for this year’s ACS Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards.</h3>
<p>Now in their fourth year, the awards shine a spotlight on Australian financial advisers who are making a real difference in the essential aged care advice sector.</p>
<p>“Recognising excellence in aged care financial planning is at the heart of what these awards represent. When Australians turn to financial advisers to help navigate their retirement, they deserve confidence that they’re working with advisers who represent the best practice of the industry. Our finalists are making a meaningful impact on both the sector and individual clients’ lives, said Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps.</p>
<p>“It’s our pleasure to announce the 2025 finalists for both the Aged Care Adviser of the Year and the Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year and congratulate them all on this achievement,” continued David.</p>
<p>Advisers have been nominated under two categories:</p>
<ul>
<li>Aged Care Adviser of the Year</li>
<li>Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year</li>
</ul>
<p>‘<em>Aged Care Adviser of the Year’</em> recognises an individual adviser who is deemed to have demonstrated outstanding professional commitment in providing aged care advice to older Australians and their families.</p>
<p>The ‘<em>Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year’</em> category (formerly known as the ‘Aged Care Advice Program of the Year’) will once again spotlight a financial services business that is creating and undertaking aged care advice initiatives that advocate for and promote aged care advice to their clients or wider community.</p>
<p>The 2025 awards were reviewed and assessed by an external panel of respected professionals comprising Phil Anderson, Sue Viskovic, and Andrew Inwood. The judges recognised the exceptional quality and calibre of the submissions and were also impressed by the volume of submissions received this year.</p>
<p>The 2025 Finalists are (in alphabetical order by first name):</p>
<ul>
<li>Aged Care Adviser of the Year
<ul>
<li>Brenda Will – Bruining Partners</li>
<li>Craig Phillips &#8211; Phillips Wealth Partners</li>
<li>Ilya Egorov – Financial Balance Group</li>
<li>Leah Newman &#8211; Yield Financial Planning</li>
<li>Zachary Dodds &#8211; Muifield Financial Services</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year
<ul>
<li>Alteris Financial Group</li>
<li>Ageing with Grace Advisory</li>
<li>Bruining Partners</li>
<li>Muirfield Financial Services</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Aged Care Steps will be announcing the winners of the awards in early December 2025.</p>

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                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_61747-6" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-61747-6" class="size-full wp-image-61747" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="350" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg 650w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /><p id="caption-attachment-61747-6" class="wp-caption-text">Assyat David</p></div>
<h3>Aged Care Steps, a leading voice in the aged care advice industry, has revealed the Finalists for this year’s ACS Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards.</h3>
<p>Now in their fourth year, the awards shine a spotlight on Australian financial advisers who are making a real difference in the essential aged care advice sector.</p>
<p>“Recognising excellence in aged care financial planning is at the heart of what these awards represent. When Australians turn to financial advisers to help navigate their retirement, they deserve confidence that they’re working with advisers who represent the best practice of the industry. Our finalists are making a meaningful impact on both the sector and individual clients’ lives, said Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps.</p>
<p>“It’s our pleasure to announce the 2025 finalists for both the Aged Care Adviser of the Year and the Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year and congratulate them all on this achievement,” continued David.</p>
<p>Advisers have been nominated under two categories:</p>
<ul>
<li>Aged Care Adviser of the Year</li>
<li>Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year</li>
</ul>
<p>‘<em>Aged Care Adviser of the Year’</em> recognises an individual adviser who is deemed to have demonstrated outstanding professional commitment in providing aged care advice to older Australians and their families.</p>
<p>The ‘<em>Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year’</em> category (formerly known as the ‘Aged Care Advice Program of the Year’) will once again spotlight a financial services business that is creating and undertaking aged care advice initiatives that advocate for and promote aged care advice to their clients or wider community.</p>
<p>The 2025 awards were reviewed and assessed by an external panel of respected professionals comprising Phil Anderson, Sue Viskovic, and Andrew Inwood. The judges recognised the exceptional quality and calibre of the submissions and were also impressed by the volume of submissions received this year.</p>
<p>The 2025 Finalists are (in alphabetical order by first name):</p>
<ul>
<li>Aged Care Adviser of the Year
<ul>
<li>Brenda Will – Bruining Partners</li>
<li>Craig Phillips &#8211; Phillips Wealth Partners</li>
<li>Ilya Egorov – Financial Balance Group</li>
<li>Leah Newman &#8211; Yield Financial Planning</li>
<li>Zachary Dodds &#8211; Muifield Financial Services</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year
<ul>
<li>Alteris Financial Group</li>
<li>Ageing with Grace Advisory</li>
<li>Bruining Partners</li>
<li>Muirfield Financial Services</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Aged Care Steps will be announcing the winners of the awards in early December 2025.</p>

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<p>The post <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2025/11/aged-care-steps-announces-finalists-for-2025-for-aged-care-adviser-of-the-year-awards/">Aged Care Steps announces finalists for 2025 for Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au">AdviserVoice</a>.</p>
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                <title>Aged Care Steps announces the winners of this year’s Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards</title>
                <link>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2024/11/aged-care-steps-announces-the-winners-of-this-years-aged-care-adviser-of-the-year-awards/</link>
                <comments>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2024/11/aged-care-steps-announces-the-winners-of-this-years-aged-care-adviser-of-the-year-awards/#respond</comments>
                <pubDate>Thu, 21 Nov 2024 21:00:22 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator>
                                    </dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Best Practice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Andrew Inwood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assyat David]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Katie Spence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sue Viskovic]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zachary Dodds]]></category>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.adviservoice.com.au/?p=99717</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<h3>Aged Care Steps (ACS) announces the winners of this year’s Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards, recognising excellence in the industry across two main categories, with the addition of a third award this year.</h3>
<p>The ACS Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards recognise and champion the work done by exceptional aged care advisers across the country, helping people navigate the increasingly complex landscape that is aged care planning.</p>
<p>“We are very proud to announce the winners of the 2024 ACS Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards”, said Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps.</p>
<p>“The exceptional quality of submissions that we received is a testament to the passion, talent and dedication within the aged care advice industry and proof of the tangible difference aged care advisers are making in their clients’ lives. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners – your work exemplifies the very best in aged care advice.”</p>
<h2>2024 Winners</h2>
<p>This year’s judging panel included Phil Anderson, FAAA, Sue Viskovic, Elixir Consulting and Andrew Inwood, CoreData Group, who have selected the winning advisers under three categories:</p>
<ul>
<li>Aged Care Adviser of the Year</li>
<li>Aged Care Advice Program of the Year</li>
<li>Aged Care Advice Excellence Award</li>
</ul>
<h3>Aged Care Adviser of the Year Winner &#8211; Katie Spence</h3>
<p>Katie Spence has been recognised for her work simplifying and effectively communicating the concept of aged care financial advice to clients and their families, ensuring they’re able to understand their options and plan appropriately. She has been recognised as an exemplary Adviser by her clients, who have built a strong referral network in acknowledgement of her work with each of them and the effect she has on their peace of mind as they plan for their own future or that of their loved ones.</p>
<h3>Aged Care Advice Program of the Year Winner &#8211; Story Wealth Management</h3>
<p>In 2024, Story Wealth Management launched their specialised program, the ‘Ageing with Grace Support Service’, designed to address and support the financial, logistical, and emotional challenges faced by seniors and their families through a financial advice lens.<br />
With the program’s mission of meeting the growing demand for aged care advice in their client base and wider community, they have already had great success, and established partnerships with local Care Coordinators, elder law specialists, and service providers.</p>
<h3>Aged Care Advice Excellence Award Winner &#8211; Zachary Dodds</h3>
<p>The Judges of this years’ awards have chosen to recognise an additional Financial Adviser for the excellence demonstrated through his nomination. As well as growing his impact on clients in the past year, Zac was a key organiser in the newly-established Aged Care Expo held in Geelong, bringing together a range of specialist providers and educators to provide quality information for the community.</p>
<p>Zac was also instrumental in Muirfield’s participation in Seniors Week and a number of seminars and workshops, allowing clients and the wider community to self-educate on the importance of aged care financial advice before making the next step of speaking to a qualified adviser to create a tailored plan.</p>
<h3>A great year for aged care financial advice</h3>
<p>As evidenced by this year’s winners and finalists, the aged care financial advice sector is home to a range of exceptional financial advisers who are also business leaders and community advocates. Aged Care Steps is proud to be able to acknowledge and celebrate the successes of the leaders in this field and support them in their shared goals of helping Australians access high-quality aged care financial advice.</p>
<p>In the current environment where aged care advice decisions are becoming more complex and fees are increasing, it is important for older Australians and their families to have access to quality aged care advice from licensed financial advisers who demonstrate advice excellence as well as passion, empathy and commitment.</p>

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                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3>Aged Care Steps (ACS) announces the winners of this year’s Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards, recognising excellence in the industry across two main categories, with the addition of a third award this year.</h3>
<p>The ACS Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards recognise and champion the work done by exceptional aged care advisers across the country, helping people navigate the increasingly complex landscape that is aged care planning.</p>
<p>“We are very proud to announce the winners of the 2024 ACS Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards”, said Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps.</p>
<p>“The exceptional quality of submissions that we received is a testament to the passion, talent and dedication within the aged care advice industry and proof of the tangible difference aged care advisers are making in their clients’ lives. Congratulations to all the finalists and winners – your work exemplifies the very best in aged care advice.”</p>
<h2>2024 Winners</h2>
<p>This year’s judging panel included Phil Anderson, FAAA, Sue Viskovic, Elixir Consulting and Andrew Inwood, CoreData Group, who have selected the winning advisers under three categories:</p>
<ul>
<li>Aged Care Adviser of the Year</li>
<li>Aged Care Advice Program of the Year</li>
<li>Aged Care Advice Excellence Award</li>
</ul>
<h3>Aged Care Adviser of the Year Winner &#8211; Katie Spence</h3>
<p>Katie Spence has been recognised for her work simplifying and effectively communicating the concept of aged care financial advice to clients and their families, ensuring they’re able to understand their options and plan appropriately. She has been recognised as an exemplary Adviser by her clients, who have built a strong referral network in acknowledgement of her work with each of them and the effect she has on their peace of mind as they plan for their own future or that of their loved ones.</p>
<h3>Aged Care Advice Program of the Year Winner &#8211; Story Wealth Management</h3>
<p>In 2024, Story Wealth Management launched their specialised program, the ‘Ageing with Grace Support Service’, designed to address and support the financial, logistical, and emotional challenges faced by seniors and their families through a financial advice lens.<br />
With the program’s mission of meeting the growing demand for aged care advice in their client base and wider community, they have already had great success, and established partnerships with local Care Coordinators, elder law specialists, and service providers.</p>
<h3>Aged Care Advice Excellence Award Winner &#8211; Zachary Dodds</h3>
<p>The Judges of this years’ awards have chosen to recognise an additional Financial Adviser for the excellence demonstrated through his nomination. As well as growing his impact on clients in the past year, Zac was a key organiser in the newly-established Aged Care Expo held in Geelong, bringing together a range of specialist providers and educators to provide quality information for the community.</p>
<p>Zac was also instrumental in Muirfield’s participation in Seniors Week and a number of seminars and workshops, allowing clients and the wider community to self-educate on the importance of aged care financial advice before making the next step of speaking to a qualified adviser to create a tailored plan.</p>
<h3>A great year for aged care financial advice</h3>
<p>As evidenced by this year’s winners and finalists, the aged care financial advice sector is home to a range of exceptional financial advisers who are also business leaders and community advocates. Aged Care Steps is proud to be able to acknowledge and celebrate the successes of the leaders in this field and support them in their shared goals of helping Australians access high-quality aged care financial advice.</p>
<p>In the current environment where aged care advice decisions are becoming more complex and fees are increasing, it is important for older Australians and their families to have access to quality aged care advice from licensed financial advisers who demonstrate advice excellence as well as passion, empathy and commitment.</p>

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<p>The post <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2024/11/aged-care-steps-announces-the-winners-of-this-years-aged-care-adviser-of-the-year-awards/">Aged Care Steps announces the winners of this year’s Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au">AdviserVoice</a>.</p>
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                <title>Aged Care Steps announces finalists for 2023 Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards</title>
                <link>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2023/12/aged-care-steps-announces-finalists-for-2023-aged-care-adviser-of-the-year-awards/</link>
                <comments>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2023/12/aged-care-steps-announces-finalists-for-2023-aged-care-adviser-of-the-year-awards/#respond</comments>
                <pubDate>Sun, 10 Dec 2023 20:55:47 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator>
                                    </dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Best Practice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Andrew Biviano]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assyat David]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bill Savellis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Craig Phillips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jayden Swarbrick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jillian Clarke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Katie Spence]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kerri Mend]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kimberly McGrath]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Louise Biti]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sophie Doyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Zac Dodds]]></category>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.adviservoice.com.au/?p=93047</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<h3>Industry leader Aged Care Steps has announced the Finalists for this year’s ACS Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards.</h3>
<p>The awards aim to recognise and champion the significant work done by aged care advisers in helping people navigate the aged care maze – an area that is of increasing importance and concern to older Australians and their families. With increasing longevity and around 1.5 million older Australians receiving care services, these advisers provide an important service to clients.</p>
<p>Advisers have been nominated under two categories:</p>
<ul>
<li>Aged Care Adviser of the Year.</li>
<li>Aged Care Advice Program of the Year.</li>
</ul>
<p>The first category recognises an individual adviser who is deemed to have demonstrated outstanding professional commitment to providing aged care advice to older Australians and their families.</p>
<p>The second category recognises an Australian adviser or advice business working in financial services that has actively advocated the promotion of aged care advice amongst their client base, referral communities, peers or local community.</p>
<p>Aged Care Steps were excited to receive an increased number of applications this year. The applications were reviewed and assessed by an external panel of respected professionals, comprising Jo-Anne Bloch, Phil Anderson and Sue Viskovic, to select our list of 2023 Finalists. The judges commended the high standard and quality of applications.</p>
<p>The 2023 Finalists are (in alphabetical order by first name):</p>
<ul>
<li>Aged Care Adviser of the Year
<ul>
<li>Craig Phillips &#8211; Phillips Wealth Partners</li>
<li>Jillian Clarke &#8211; Alteris Financial Group</li>
<li>Katie Spence &#8211; Sage Care Advice</li>
<li>Kerri Mendl &#8211; Alteris Financial Group</li>
<li>Kimberly McGrath &#8211; Viridian Advisory</li>
<li>Sophie Doyle &#8211; Morgans Financial</li>
<li>Zac Dodds &#8211; Muirfield Financial Services</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Aged Care Advice Program of the Year
<ul>
<li>Alteris Financial Group &#8211; Andrew Biviano</li>
<li>Cosca Personal Wealth &#8211; Jayden Swarbrick</li>
<li>Olive Grove Financial Advice &#8211; Bill Savellis</li>
<li>Phillips Wealth Partners &#8211; Craig Phillips</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>While aged care advice is becoming a core component of retirement planning, more and more advisers are upskilling in aged care advice. However many people do not understand the value of seeking advice from a qualified and accredited aged care professional. The Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards aim to raise awareness of the highly valued and expert services that aged care advisers provide.</p>
<p>“The Awards are a perfect way for us to recognise outstanding aged care advisers and help raise the profile and awareness of their specialised contribution to the advice profession and well-being of clients,” said Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps.</p>
<p>Aged Care Steps will be announcing the winners of the awards on 14 December 2023.</p>

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                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3>Industry leader Aged Care Steps has announced the Finalists for this year’s ACS Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards.</h3>
<p>The awards aim to recognise and champion the significant work done by aged care advisers in helping people navigate the aged care maze – an area that is of increasing importance and concern to older Australians and their families. With increasing longevity and around 1.5 million older Australians receiving care services, these advisers provide an important service to clients.</p>
<p>Advisers have been nominated under two categories:</p>
<ul>
<li>Aged Care Adviser of the Year.</li>
<li>Aged Care Advice Program of the Year.</li>
</ul>
<p>The first category recognises an individual adviser who is deemed to have demonstrated outstanding professional commitment to providing aged care advice to older Australians and their families.</p>
<p>The second category recognises an Australian adviser or advice business working in financial services that has actively advocated the promotion of aged care advice amongst their client base, referral communities, peers or local community.</p>
<p>Aged Care Steps were excited to receive an increased number of applications this year. The applications were reviewed and assessed by an external panel of respected professionals, comprising Jo-Anne Bloch, Phil Anderson and Sue Viskovic, to select our list of 2023 Finalists. The judges commended the high standard and quality of applications.</p>
<p>The 2023 Finalists are (in alphabetical order by first name):</p>
<ul>
<li>Aged Care Adviser of the Year
<ul>
<li>Craig Phillips &#8211; Phillips Wealth Partners</li>
<li>Jillian Clarke &#8211; Alteris Financial Group</li>
<li>Katie Spence &#8211; Sage Care Advice</li>
<li>Kerri Mendl &#8211; Alteris Financial Group</li>
<li>Kimberly McGrath &#8211; Viridian Advisory</li>
<li>Sophie Doyle &#8211; Morgans Financial</li>
<li>Zac Dodds &#8211; Muirfield Financial Services</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Aged Care Advice Program of the Year
<ul>
<li>Alteris Financial Group &#8211; Andrew Biviano</li>
<li>Cosca Personal Wealth &#8211; Jayden Swarbrick</li>
<li>Olive Grove Financial Advice &#8211; Bill Savellis</li>
<li>Phillips Wealth Partners &#8211; Craig Phillips</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p>While aged care advice is becoming a core component of retirement planning, more and more advisers are upskilling in aged care advice. However many people do not understand the value of seeking advice from a qualified and accredited aged care professional. The Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards aim to raise awareness of the highly valued and expert services that aged care advisers provide.</p>
<p>“The Awards are a perfect way for us to recognise outstanding aged care advisers and help raise the profile and awareness of their specialised contribution to the advice profession and well-being of clients,” said Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps.</p>
<p>Aged Care Steps will be announcing the winners of the awards on 14 December 2023.</p>

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<p>The post <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2023/12/aged-care-steps-announces-finalists-for-2023-aged-care-adviser-of-the-year-awards/">Aged Care Steps announces finalists for 2023 Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au">AdviserVoice</a>.</p>
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                <title>Federal Budget 2023: What happened for aged care?</title>
                <link>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2023/05/federal-budget-2023-what-happened-for-aged-care/</link>
                <comments>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2023/05/federal-budget-2023-what-happened-for-aged-care/#respond</comments>
                <pubDate>Wed, 10 May 2023 21:55:50 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator>
                                    </dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Aged Care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assyat David]]></category>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.adviservoice.com.au/?p=88770</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_61747-7" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-61747-7" class="size-full wp-image-61747" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="350" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg 650w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /><p id="caption-attachment-61747-7" class="wp-caption-text">Assyat David</p></div>
<h3>No news is good news. For clients accessing aged care, that might be the view of this year’s Federal Budget.</h3>
<p class="">Clients accessing aged care services have avoided an increase in aged care fees, despite the government needing to find an additional $11.3 billion over the next four years to fund the 15% increase in award wages for 250,000 aged care workers. However, the Budget commentary did signal a potential for client contributions to be reviewed and adjusted when the new Aged Care Act is introduced on 1 July 2024.</p>
<p class="">Other measures announced in the Budget continued to show the Government’s commitment to ongoing aged care reform, in line with the Royal Commission findings and commenced in 2021 by the previous Federal Government.</p>
<h2>Pay increases for aged care workers</h2>
<p class="">The Government has committed to funding the 15% award wage increase decided by the Fair Work Commission. The increase will apply from 1 July 2023 for registered nurses, enrolled nurses, assistants in nursing, personal care workers, head chefs and cooks, recreational activities officers (lifestyle workers) and home care workers.</p>
<p class="">Increases to wages will be funded through Government subsidies, including:</p>
<ul data-rte-list="default">
<li>an increase in the AN-ACC funding for residential care,</li>
<li>a new $10.80 ‘hotelling’ supplement to cover chef and cook wages as well as catering, cleaning and gardening services</li>
<li>an increase in the Home Care Package budgets, and</li>
<li>additional grants for Commonwealth Home Support Program.</li>
</ul>
<p class="">Care providers will be monitored to ensure the additional revenue is passed onto aged care workers.</p>
<h2>Review of funding arrangements – new taskforce</h2>
<p class="">A new Aged Care Act is planned to be introduced from 1 July 2024, so decisions on any changes to client contributions for care services appear to have been deferred and may potentially coincide with commencement of the new Act.</p>
<p class="">A new Aged Care Taskforce has been established to review funding arrangements for aged care and provide suggestions on options that are fair and equitable for all Australians. This will take into consideration the <em>Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety</em> recommendations, and focus on:</p>
<ul data-rte-list="default">
<li>client contributions to ensure a sustainable aged care system</li>
<li>equity for older people who need aged care now and into the future, and for all those contributing to funding through taxes</li>
<li>innovation and enhancing elements of the system that Australians value.</li>
</ul>
<p class="">The Government recently paid $396,000 to Kantar Public Australia (political consultants) to look into client contributions towards the cost of aged care and client knowledge of the relevant policies. The findings are still being reviewed by Government and may impact future decisions.</p>
<h2>Reduced residential care ratios</h2>
<p class="">Government funding in residential aged care is regulated by imposing a national target provision ratio of subsidised residential care places.</p>
<p class="">To create a savings of $2.2 billion, the Government will temporarily reduce the ratio from 78.0 places per 1,000 people over age 70 to 60.1 places, over 3 years from 2024-2025. As shown in the graph below, the ratio has been reducing over time and reflects the increasing preference of older people to remain at home.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-88771" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Graph2.jpg" alt="" width="780" height="477" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Graph2.jpg 780w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Graph2-300x183.jpg 300w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Graph2-768x470.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /></p>
<div id="block-yui_3_17_2_1_1683669239901_6835" class="sqs-block html-block sqs-block-html" data-block-type="2">
<div class="sqs-block-content">
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<p class="">From 1 July 2024, residential aged care places will no longer be allocated to aged care providers through the bed licensing system. Instead, older people will be directly allocated a residential aged care place, so they can receive care from their chosen provider. This aims to increase competition and development in aged care services.</p>
<h2>More Home Care Packages</h2>
<p class="">The number of Home Care Packages will continue to increase, with a further 9,500 packages becoming available in 2023-24. This increases the number of Home Care Packages to 285,100 by June 2024.</p>
<p class="">Successive increases in the number of packages over recent years has reduced waiting times to an average of 1-3 months. However, delays are still being experienced with accessing care due to capacity problems faced by providers resulting from workforce shortages.</p>
<h2>Simplifying home care &amp; assessments</h2>
<p class="">Combining the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and Home Care Packages (HCP) into a new Support at Home program has been deferred a further year until 1 July 2025. This allows further time for consultation and program design.</p>
<p class="">The new single assessment system (to replace the Regional Assessment Service (RAS) and Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT)) is still planned to commence from 1 July 2024.</p>
<p class=""><strong>A new Aged Care Act</strong></p>
<p class="">The Government is continuing to design a new regulatory framework for aged care, which is expected to roll out from 1 July 2024 and be reflected in the new Aged Care Act.</p>
<p class="">Reforms will focus on:</p>
<ul data-rte-list="default">
<li>improving food, nutrition and the dining experience in residential care</li>
<li>requiring residential care providers to give residents Monthly Care Statements outlining care provided</li>
<li>improving and enhancing Star Ratings (now published on MyAgedCare)</li>
<li>expanding staffing quality indicators.</li>
</ul>
<p class="">The new Aged Care Act will take a person-centred and rights-based approach, with a focus on aged care recipients rather than service providers. It will set out the obligations of care providers and legislate requirements that protect an older person’s rights to safe, quality care, with a statement of rights.</p>
<h2>What financial advisers can do</h2>
<p class="">Advisers need to start the hard conversations with their clients. Aged care is no longer an issue that can be ignored when providing retirement advice to clients and their families – it is now a core issue that needs to be considered.</p>
<p class="">If clients are not prepared for their frailty years you may be leaving them exposed for around 15-25% of their retirement years. This is a major gap. Clients need to start planning for how to contribute towards their cost of care. Even today, with money and financial resources, the range of choices are wider and may provide better quality of life.</p>
<p class="">The Financial Planners and Advisers Code of Ethics (developed by FASEA) and the Retirement Income Covenant are two pieces of legislative reform in recent years that have explicitly stated the need to include aged care considerations into client conversations and planning decisions.</p>
<p><em><strong>By Assyat David</strong></em></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>

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                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_61747-8" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-61747-8" class="size-full wp-image-61747" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="350" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg 650w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /><p id="caption-attachment-61747-8" class="wp-caption-text">Assyat David</p></div>
<h3>No news is good news. For clients accessing aged care, that might be the view of this year’s Federal Budget.</h3>
<p class="">Clients accessing aged care services have avoided an increase in aged care fees, despite the government needing to find an additional $11.3 billion over the next four years to fund the 15% increase in award wages for 250,000 aged care workers. However, the Budget commentary did signal a potential for client contributions to be reviewed and adjusted when the new Aged Care Act is introduced on 1 July 2024.</p>
<p class="">Other measures announced in the Budget continued to show the Government’s commitment to ongoing aged care reform, in line with the Royal Commission findings and commenced in 2021 by the previous Federal Government.</p>
<h2>Pay increases for aged care workers</h2>
<p class="">The Government has committed to funding the 15% award wage increase decided by the Fair Work Commission. The increase will apply from 1 July 2023 for registered nurses, enrolled nurses, assistants in nursing, personal care workers, head chefs and cooks, recreational activities officers (lifestyle workers) and home care workers.</p>
<p class="">Increases to wages will be funded through Government subsidies, including:</p>
<ul data-rte-list="default">
<li>an increase in the AN-ACC funding for residential care,</li>
<li>a new $10.80 ‘hotelling’ supplement to cover chef and cook wages as well as catering, cleaning and gardening services</li>
<li>an increase in the Home Care Package budgets, and</li>
<li>additional grants for Commonwealth Home Support Program.</li>
</ul>
<p class="">Care providers will be monitored to ensure the additional revenue is passed onto aged care workers.</p>
<h2>Review of funding arrangements – new taskforce</h2>
<p class="">A new Aged Care Act is planned to be introduced from 1 July 2024, so decisions on any changes to client contributions for care services appear to have been deferred and may potentially coincide with commencement of the new Act.</p>
<p class="">A new Aged Care Taskforce has been established to review funding arrangements for aged care and provide suggestions on options that are fair and equitable for all Australians. This will take into consideration the <em>Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety</em> recommendations, and focus on:</p>
<ul data-rte-list="default">
<li>client contributions to ensure a sustainable aged care system</li>
<li>equity for older people who need aged care now and into the future, and for all those contributing to funding through taxes</li>
<li>innovation and enhancing elements of the system that Australians value.</li>
</ul>
<p class="">The Government recently paid $396,000 to Kantar Public Australia (political consultants) to look into client contributions towards the cost of aged care and client knowledge of the relevant policies. The findings are still being reviewed by Government and may impact future decisions.</p>
<h2>Reduced residential care ratios</h2>
<p class="">Government funding in residential aged care is regulated by imposing a national target provision ratio of subsidised residential care places.</p>
<p class="">To create a savings of $2.2 billion, the Government will temporarily reduce the ratio from 78.0 places per 1,000 people over age 70 to 60.1 places, over 3 years from 2024-2025. As shown in the graph below, the ratio has been reducing over time and reflects the increasing preference of older people to remain at home.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-88771" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Graph2.jpg" alt="" width="780" height="477" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Graph2.jpg 780w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Graph2-300x183.jpg 300w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Graph2-768x470.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 780px) 100vw, 780px" /></p>
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<p class="">From 1 July 2024, residential aged care places will no longer be allocated to aged care providers through the bed licensing system. Instead, older people will be directly allocated a residential aged care place, so they can receive care from their chosen provider. This aims to increase competition and development in aged care services.</p>
<h2>More Home Care Packages</h2>
<p class="">The number of Home Care Packages will continue to increase, with a further 9,500 packages becoming available in 2023-24. This increases the number of Home Care Packages to 285,100 by June 2024.</p>
<p class="">Successive increases in the number of packages over recent years has reduced waiting times to an average of 1-3 months. However, delays are still being experienced with accessing care due to capacity problems faced by providers resulting from workforce shortages.</p>
<h2>Simplifying home care &amp; assessments</h2>
<p class="">Combining the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and Home Care Packages (HCP) into a new Support at Home program has been deferred a further year until 1 July 2025. This allows further time for consultation and program design.</p>
<p class="">The new single assessment system (to replace the Regional Assessment Service (RAS) and Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACAT)) is still planned to commence from 1 July 2024.</p>
<p class=""><strong>A new Aged Care Act</strong></p>
<p class="">The Government is continuing to design a new regulatory framework for aged care, which is expected to roll out from 1 July 2024 and be reflected in the new Aged Care Act.</p>
<p class="">Reforms will focus on:</p>
<ul data-rte-list="default">
<li>improving food, nutrition and the dining experience in residential care</li>
<li>requiring residential care providers to give residents Monthly Care Statements outlining care provided</li>
<li>improving and enhancing Star Ratings (now published on MyAgedCare)</li>
<li>expanding staffing quality indicators.</li>
</ul>
<p class="">The new Aged Care Act will take a person-centred and rights-based approach, with a focus on aged care recipients rather than service providers. It will set out the obligations of care providers and legislate requirements that protect an older person’s rights to safe, quality care, with a statement of rights.</p>
<h2>What financial advisers can do</h2>
<p class="">Advisers need to start the hard conversations with their clients. Aged care is no longer an issue that can be ignored when providing retirement advice to clients and their families – it is now a core issue that needs to be considered.</p>
<p class="">If clients are not prepared for their frailty years you may be leaving them exposed for around 15-25% of their retirement years. This is a major gap. Clients need to start planning for how to contribute towards their cost of care. Even today, with money and financial resources, the range of choices are wider and may provide better quality of life.</p>
<p class="">The Financial Planners and Advisers Code of Ethics (developed by FASEA) and the Retirement Income Covenant are two pieces of legislative reform in recent years that have explicitly stated the need to include aged care considerations into client conversations and planning decisions.</p>
<p><em><strong>By Assyat David</strong></em></p>
</div>
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<p>The post <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2023/05/federal-budget-2023-what-happened-for-aged-care/">Federal Budget 2023: What happened for aged care?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au">AdviserVoice</a>.</p>
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                <title>Aged Care Steps launches Aged Care Adviser of the Year awards</title>
                <link>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2022/09/aged-care-steps-launches-aged-care-adviser-of-the-year-awards/</link>
                <comments>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2022/09/aged-care-steps-launches-aged-care-adviser-of-the-year-awards/#respond</comments>
                <pubDate>Tue, 13 Sep 2022 21:55:55 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator>
                                    </dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Best Practice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assyat David]]></category>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.adviservoice.com.au/?p=84851</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_61747-9" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-61747-9" class="size-full wp-image-61747" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="350" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg 650w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /><p id="caption-attachment-61747-9" class="wp-caption-text">Assyat David</p></div>
<h3>Industry leader Aged Care Steps has launched the 2022 ACS Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards.</h3>
<p>As part of their declaration that 2022 is the Year of the Aged Care Adviser, Aged Care Steps has launched these inaugural awards to recognise and champion the significant work by aged care advisers in helping people navigate the aged care maze.</p>
<p>“These awards will set a benchmark for aged care advice excellence and promote recognition of adviser excellence and the importance aged care advice holds in financial planning,” said Louise Biti, Director of Aged Care Steps.</p>
<p>There are two categories under which advisers can nominate themselves or another adviser:</p>
<ul>
<li>Aged Care Adviser of the Year</li>
<li>Aged Care Advice Program of the Year</li>
</ul>
<p>The first category recognises an individual adviser who is deemed to have demonstrated outstanding professional commitment in providing aged care advice to older Australians and their families.</p>
<p>The second category recognises an Australian adviser or business working in financial services that have actively advocated the promotion of aged care advice amongst their client base, referral networks, peers or local community.</p>
<p>Applications will be reviewed and assessed by an external panel of respected professionals, who will be announced in the coming weeks.</p>
<p>The Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards forms part of the broader 2022 campaign launched by Aged Care Steps which aims to raise awareness of the highly valued and expert services that aged care advisers provide.</p>
<p>“We declared 2022 the Year of the Aged Care Adviser as a rallying call to advice professionals to ensure this is the year they make aged care advice a successful component of their business strategy”, advised Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps.</p>
<p>“The Awards are a perfect way for us to recognise outstanding aged care advisers in a year where we wish to raise the profile and awareness of their specialised contribution to the advice profession,” continued Assyat.</p>
<p>Full details of the Awards and the nomination and application processes are available on the <a href="http://www.agedcaresteps.com.au">Aged Care Steps website.</a></p>
<p>Applications close on Wednesday 12 October by 6.00pm Sydney daylight savings time.</p>

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                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_61747-10" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-61747-10" class="size-full wp-image-61747" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="350" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg 650w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /><p id="caption-attachment-61747-10" class="wp-caption-text">Assyat David</p></div>
<h3>Industry leader Aged Care Steps has launched the 2022 ACS Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards.</h3>
<p>As part of their declaration that 2022 is the Year of the Aged Care Adviser, Aged Care Steps has launched these inaugural awards to recognise and champion the significant work by aged care advisers in helping people navigate the aged care maze.</p>
<p>“These awards will set a benchmark for aged care advice excellence and promote recognition of adviser excellence and the importance aged care advice holds in financial planning,” said Louise Biti, Director of Aged Care Steps.</p>
<p>There are two categories under which advisers can nominate themselves or another adviser:</p>
<ul>
<li>Aged Care Adviser of the Year</li>
<li>Aged Care Advice Program of the Year</li>
</ul>
<p>The first category recognises an individual adviser who is deemed to have demonstrated outstanding professional commitment in providing aged care advice to older Australians and their families.</p>
<p>The second category recognises an Australian adviser or business working in financial services that have actively advocated the promotion of aged care advice amongst their client base, referral networks, peers or local community.</p>
<p>Applications will be reviewed and assessed by an external panel of respected professionals, who will be announced in the coming weeks.</p>
<p>The Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards forms part of the broader 2022 campaign launched by Aged Care Steps which aims to raise awareness of the highly valued and expert services that aged care advisers provide.</p>
<p>“We declared 2022 the Year of the Aged Care Adviser as a rallying call to advice professionals to ensure this is the year they make aged care advice a successful component of their business strategy”, advised Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps.</p>
<p>“The Awards are a perfect way for us to recognise outstanding aged care advisers in a year where we wish to raise the profile and awareness of their specialised contribution to the advice profession,” continued Assyat.</p>
<p>Full details of the Awards and the nomination and application processes are available on the <a href="http://www.agedcaresteps.com.au">Aged Care Steps website.</a></p>
<p>Applications close on Wednesday 12 October by 6.00pm Sydney daylight savings time.</p>

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<p>The post <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2022/09/aged-care-steps-launches-aged-care-adviser-of-the-year-awards/">Aged Care Steps launches Aged Care Adviser of the Year awards</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au">AdviserVoice</a>.</p>
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                <title>Aged Care Steps announces 2022 is the year of the aged care adviser</title>
                <link>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2022/03/aged-care-steps-announces-2022-is-the-year-of-the-aged-care-adviser/</link>
                <comments>https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2022/03/aged-care-steps-announces-2022-is-the-year-of-the-aged-care-adviser/#respond</comments>
                <pubDate>Wed, 09 Mar 2022 20:55:01 +0000</pubDate>
                <dc:creator>
                                    </dc:creator>
                		<category><![CDATA[Aged Care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assyat David]]></category>
                <guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.adviservoice.com.au/?p=80470</guid>
                                    <description><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_61747-11" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-61747-11" class="size-full wp-image-61747" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="350" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg 650w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /><p id="caption-attachment-61747-11" class="wp-caption-text">Assyat David</p></div>
<h3>Industry leader Aged Care Steps has announced that 2022 is the Year of the Aged Care Adviser, with the culmination of an ageing population and market factors bringing aged care advice forward as an advice opportunity that can no longer be ignored.</h3>
<p>We are a nation that is ageing, and this is reflected in the client base of most financial planning businesses. Across the last 20 years, the number of people aged over 85 has increased by 110%, compared to an overall population growth of 35%<sup>1</sup>.</p>
<p>Add to that, market and environmental factors including baby boomers reaching their frailty years, the financial crisis for aged care providers and a Royal Commission, property prices, increasing complexity to navigate the aged care system, COVID fears and an increasing demand for quality care options and home care.</p>
<p>It’s clear expert aged care advice has never been more crucial. Every adviser needs a business solution for aged care advice in 2022 as the demand can no longer be ignored, not only for older clients, but also their children.</p>
<p>Providing quality aged care advice adds client value and creates significant opportunities for advice professionals. The Explanatory Statement for Standard 6 of the Code of Ethics explicitly states that any near future need for aged care of a client or family member must be factored into financial advice for that client, making aged care advice an important compliance requirement.</p>
<p>Throughout the Year of the Aged Care Adviser, Aged Care Steps (ACS) will be helping advisers understand how they can include frailty planning and aged care advice in their business strategy to increase client value and drive growth, no matter what their business model or level of expertise in this area.</p>
<p>“The disruptions and pressures with the ageing of clients has made the need for advisers to provide high-quality aged care advice paramount,” said Assyat David, Co-Director of ACS.</p>
<p>“We’ve declared 2022 the Year of the Aged Care Adviser as a rallying call to advice professionals to ensure this is the year they make aged care advice a successful component of their business strategy”, continued David.</p>
<p>2022 also marks the 10th anniversary of Aged Care Steps, an organisation whose team members have been actively involved in aged care advice since 1997.</p>
<p>“Working with us, advice professionals will build the confidence and competence to provide aged care advice whatever business model they choose,” said Louise Biti, Co-Director of ACS.</p>
<p>“Whether we do it for you, do it with you or enable you to do it yourself, we support advisers (and other professionals) across every aspect of aged care advice, from engaging clients to marketing to technical knowledge. We help advisers with practical solutions to find their right aged care solution,” continued Biti.</p>
<p>Aged Care Steps encourages the advice community to challenge their thinking about aged care advice during 2022, the Year of the Aged Care Adviser.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8212;-</p>
<h6>[1] ABS, Twenty years of population change, Dec 2020 at <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/twenty-years-population-change">https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/twenty-years-population-change</a></h6>

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                                            <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_61747-12" style="width: 660px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-61747-12" class="size-full wp-image-61747" src="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg" alt="" width="650" height="350" srcset="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650.jpg 650w, https://www.adviservoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/david-assyat-650-300x162.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px" /><p id="caption-attachment-61747-12" class="wp-caption-text">Assyat David</p></div>
<h3>Industry leader Aged Care Steps has announced that 2022 is the Year of the Aged Care Adviser, with the culmination of an ageing population and market factors bringing aged care advice forward as an advice opportunity that can no longer be ignored.</h3>
<p>We are a nation that is ageing, and this is reflected in the client base of most financial planning businesses. Across the last 20 years, the number of people aged over 85 has increased by 110%, compared to an overall population growth of 35%<sup>1</sup>.</p>
<p>Add to that, market and environmental factors including baby boomers reaching their frailty years, the financial crisis for aged care providers and a Royal Commission, property prices, increasing complexity to navigate the aged care system, COVID fears and an increasing demand for quality care options and home care.</p>
<p>It’s clear expert aged care advice has never been more crucial. Every adviser needs a business solution for aged care advice in 2022 as the demand can no longer be ignored, not only for older clients, but also their children.</p>
<p>Providing quality aged care advice adds client value and creates significant opportunities for advice professionals. The Explanatory Statement for Standard 6 of the Code of Ethics explicitly states that any near future need for aged care of a client or family member must be factored into financial advice for that client, making aged care advice an important compliance requirement.</p>
<p>Throughout the Year of the Aged Care Adviser, Aged Care Steps (ACS) will be helping advisers understand how they can include frailty planning and aged care advice in their business strategy to increase client value and drive growth, no matter what their business model or level of expertise in this area.</p>
<p>“The disruptions and pressures with the ageing of clients has made the need for advisers to provide high-quality aged care advice paramount,” said Assyat David, Co-Director of ACS.</p>
<p>“We’ve declared 2022 the Year of the Aged Care Adviser as a rallying call to advice professionals to ensure this is the year they make aged care advice a successful component of their business strategy”, continued David.</p>
<p>2022 also marks the 10th anniversary of Aged Care Steps, an organisation whose team members have been actively involved in aged care advice since 1997.</p>
<p>“Working with us, advice professionals will build the confidence and competence to provide aged care advice whatever business model they choose,” said Louise Biti, Co-Director of ACS.</p>
<p>“Whether we do it for you, do it with you or enable you to do it yourself, we support advisers (and other professionals) across every aspect of aged care advice, from engaging clients to marketing to technical knowledge. We help advisers with practical solutions to find their right aged care solution,” continued Biti.</p>
<p>Aged Care Steps encourages the advice community to challenge their thinking about aged care advice during 2022, the Year of the Aged Care Adviser.</p>
<p>&#8212;&#8212;-</p>
<h6>[1] ABS, Twenty years of population change, Dec 2020 at <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/twenty-years-population-change">https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/twenty-years-population-change</a></h6>

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<p>The post <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au/2022/03/aged-care-steps-announces-2022-is-the-year-of-the-aged-care-adviser/">Aged Care Steps announces 2022 is the year of the aged care adviser</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.adviservoice.com.au">AdviserVoice</a>.</p>
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