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.

“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.

“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.”

2024 Winners

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:

• Aged Care Adviser of the Year
• Aged Care Advice Program of the Year
• Aged Care Advice Excellence Award

Aged Care Adviser of the Year Winner – Katie Spence

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.

Aged Care Advice Program of the Year Winner – Story Wealth Management

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.
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.

Aged Care Advice Excellence Award Winner – Zachary Dodds

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.

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.

A great year for aged care financial advice

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.

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.

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Now entering its third year, the awards continue to recognise the amazing work of Australian financial advisers in the ever-growing field of aged care advice.

“These awards play an important role in drawing attention to and celebrating excellence in aged care advice. As individuals seek out financial planners to plan their retirement, we want them to know they are collaborating with some of Australia’s best advisers, recognised for their significant influence on the industry and their clients’ well-being,” said Louise Biti, Director of Aged Care Steps.

“We’re delighted to announce the 2024 finalists for both the Aged Care Adviser of the Year and the Aged Care Advice Program of the year and congratulate them all on this achievement,” continued Biti.

Advisers have been nominated under two categories:

• Aged Care Adviser of the Year
• Aged Care Advice Program of the Year

‘Aged Care Adviser of the Year’ recognises an individual adviser who is deemed to have demonstrated outstanding professional commitment in providing aged care advice to older Australians and their families.

The ‘Aged Care Advice Program of the Year’ category recognises an Australian adviser or financial services business that has actively advocated the promotion of aged care advice amongst their client base, referral networks, peers, or local community.

The 2024 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.

The 2024 Finalists are (in alphabetical order by first name):

• Aged Care Adviser of the Year
  • Belinda Veriton – RFS Advice
  • Brenda Will   Bruining Partners
  • Craig Phillips – Phillips Wealth Partners
  • Dean Winfield  – Planrite Advice Group
  • Joe Formica   Progressive Financial Solutions
  • Katie Spence – Sage Care Advice
  • Robyn Clelland  – Corso Provate Wealth (Nanna’s Planners)
  • Robyn Clelland – Muifield Financial Services

• Aged Care Advice Program of the Year
  • Alteris Financial Group
  • Muirfield Financial Services
  • Phillips Wealth Partners
  • Story Wealth Management

Aged Care Steps will be announcing the winners of the awards on 21 November 2024.

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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.

Advisers have been nominated under two categories:

• Aged Care Adviser of the Year.
• Aged Care Advice Program of the Year.

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.

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.

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.

The 2023 Finalists are (in alphabetical order by first name):

• Aged Care Adviser of the Year
  • Craig Phillips – Phillips Wealth Partners
  • Jillian Clarke – Alteris Financial Group
  • Katie Spence – Sage Care Advice
  • Kerri Mendl – Alteris Financial Group
  • Kimberly McGrath – Viridian Advisory
  • Sophie Doyle – Morgans Financial
  • Zac Dodds – Muirfield Financial Services
• Aged Care Advice Program of the Year
  • Alteris Financial Group – Andrew Biviano
  • Cosca Personal Wealth – Jayden Swarbrick
  • Olive Grove Financial Advice – Bill Savellis
  • Phillips Wealth Partners – Craig Phillips

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.

“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.

Aged Care Steps will be announcing the winners of the awards on 14 December 2023.

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