A client’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.

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.

What winning means for recognised advisers

For Zachary Dodds CFP^®, 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.

“What sets good aged care advice apart isn’t just knowing the rules; it’s the network you build around a client: aged care providers, hospitals, other professionals who can be trusted to look after that family properly,” says Zac. “Being recognised twice by ACS in consecutive years tells me that approach is resonating, not just with clients but with the industry. It’s given me more conviction to keep raising the profile of aged care advice, not less.”

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.

“We’ve always believed that giving advice is only part of the job,” Kerri says. “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’s what we built our client nurture program around, and it’s why winning in 2025, on top of our recognition in 2023 and 2022 is really significant for the Alteris team.”

Why ACS continues to support advisers with the Award

According to Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps, the Award exists to give proper weight to work that too often goes unrecognised.

“Aged care advice sits at one of the most stressful points in a family’s life, and doing it well takes a level of technical rigour and patience that doesn’t always get seen outside the advice room,” Assyat says. “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’t think to put themselves forward. If that’s you, we want to hear from you in 2026.”

How to enter

Advisers and advice businesses can nominate themselves or be nominated by a colleague. Entries are assessed by an independent panel of industry professionals.

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.

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Zachary Dodds

Aged Care Steps has revealed the winners of the 2025 Aged Care Adviser of the Year Awards, celebrating advisers who are lifting the standard of aged care advice across Australia.

The awards shine a light on professionals who guide families through one of the most significant decisions they will make. As aged care becomes more complex and emotionally charged, the work of skilled advisers is more important than ever.

Assyat David, Director of Aged Care Steps, said the calibre of entries reflected an industry that is evolving but is also becoming more difficult for clients to navigate on their own.

“The depth of expertise and client care shown in this year’s submissions was exceptional. These advisers are reshaping how Australians understand and experience aged care advice, proving that technical skill and compassionate support can sit comfortably side by side. We congratulate every finalist and winner for their contribution to better outcomes for older Australians and their families.”

2025 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 two categories:

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

Aged Care Adviser of the Year Winner – Zachary Dodds CFP^®

Zachary Dodds, a CFP^® and seasoned financial planner, has established himself as a trusted advocate for families navigating aged care. His work at Muirfield Financial Services blends clear, confident technical guidance with the kind of empathy that helps clients feel genuinely supported.

Zac led Muirfield’s inaugural Aged Care Expo, a project that connected local families, aged care providers and professionals in a welcoming community setting. His approach continues to elevate aged care advice as a cornerstone of holistic financial planning.

He has been recognised as a three-time finalist for the ACS Awards and won the inaugural 2024 Aged Care Advice Excellence award. Aged Care Steps is proud to recognise his continued excellence in aged care advice by naming him the 2025 Aged Care Adviser of the Year.

Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year Winner – Alteris Financial Group

Alteris Financial Group has long been known for thoughtful and comprehensive aged care advice, and was recognised in 2022 and 2023, winning the ACS Aged Care Advice Program of the Year.

Aged Care Steps is pleased to congratulate them again in 2025 as this year’s winner of the renamed Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year award.

Over the last year, they expanded their leadership in aged care advice with a Client Nurture Campaign that reframed how families receive information during stressful decision periods.

The program blended segmented digital communication, educational resources and an improved web experience to help families reach out earlier and with greater confidence.

Within six months, the firm doubled the number of self-initiated enquiries and strengthened both lead quality and revenue. The result is a scalable model that proves high-quality aged care advice can be delivered with clarity, empathy and strong strategic foundations.

Outstanding aged care advice has never been more important

The 2025 winners and finalists demonstrate the growing sophistication of aged care financial advice in Australia. They are not only advisers but also educators, business innovators and community connectors.

With rising costs, new regulatory settings and increasing pressure on families to make informed decisions, the sector needs advisers who combine technical strength with genuine human care.

Aged Care Steps is proud to recognise the individuals and businesses who are meeting that challenge with integrity and dedication.

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Assyat David

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.

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.

“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.

“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.

Advisers have been nominated under two categories:

• Aged Care Adviser of the Year
• Aged Care Advice Initiative 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 Initiative of the Year’ 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.

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.

The 2025 Finalists are (in alphabetical order by first name):

• Aged Care Adviser of the Year
  • Brenda Will – Bruining Partners
  • Craig Phillips – Phillips Wealth Partners
  • Ilya Egorov – Financial Balance Group
  • Leah Newman – Yield Financial Planning
  • Zachary Dodds – Muifield Financial Services

• Aged Care Advice Initiative of the Year
  • Alteris Financial Group
  • Ageing with Grace Advisory
  • Bruining Partners
  • Muirfield Financial Services

Aged Care Steps will be announcing the winners of the awards in early December 2025.

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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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