Retirement has often been seen as a time to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life. And for many, that’s the dream. But retirement is no longer defined by one image or one path. In fact, it can be something much more expansive. Today, retirement is increasingly viewed as a time of freedom, possibility, and reinvention.

Retirement isn’t about stepping back. It’s about stepping into a new chapter where you decide what comes next.

Even if you are not yet there, and retirement is still a way off, it’s never too soon to think about who you want to be, what gives you joy, and start to gravitate towards living your dreams.

Let go of conformity, embrace freedom

Of course, you can live your dreams at any stage of your life but the exciting part about retirement is that you are no longer bound by the expectations that shaped your earlier years. You don’t have to earn a living anymore, so what you do with your time can be driven purely by passion, curiosity, or purpose.

For much of our lives, we learn to conform. We wear the suits, follow the rules, meet the deadlines, and often suppress our wilder ideas or untapped creativity to fit the roles expected of us, whether as professionals, parents, providers, or partners.

But something shifts later in life. With age often comes clarity, and a new kind of confidence. Retirement can be the moment when we stop asking what others think we should do and instead, begin to ask what our hearts are calling us to do.

This is your opportunity to push boundaries, shed old labels, and express your true self without apology. It is a time to honour your inner voice, whether that means embracing bold adventure, creating, starting over, or simply doing what feels meaningful to you.

Unconventional can be unforgettable

Retirement can be the perfect time to try something unexpected or bold. Consider these inspiring examples:

Isabella Rossellini

After being let go by Lancôme at age 45 for being “too old,” Rossellini redefined what aging looks like. She went back to school in her 50s to study animal behaviour, wrote books, bought a working farm, and later, in a full-circle moment, was rehired by the same brand that once let her go. Now in her 70s, she continues to model, act, write, and farm, all on her own terms.

Diana Nyad

At 64, Nyad swam from Cuba to Florida, a journey of 110 miles through open ocean, after four earlier attempts. It was a dream she had carried her whole life, and she proved that persistence and passion don’t expire with age.

Harriette Thompson

Harriette ran her first marathon in her 70s and, at 92, became the oldest woman ever to complete one. Her story is a celebration of physical endurance and mental strength at any age.

Anthony Hopkins

Well into his 80s, the Oscar-winning actor continues to create. He acts in major films, paints, composes music, and shares his work with younger generations online. He shows that creativity and passion do not have a use-by date.

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa received the Nobel Peace Prize at age 69 for her work with “Missionaries of Charity,” a world-wide organization that helped the sick, the poor, the dying and left an incredible legacy of benevolence that continues today.

Finding your joy

This chapter of life gives you the rare opportunity to redefine yourself, or finally be yourself, in ways that may not have been possible earlier in life.

Whether your dream is to travel the world, volunteer overseas, write a novel, take up painting, or pursue a long-held interest that never fit into your working life, now is your chance.

And it doesn’t have to follow tradition. Retirement can be adventurous, creative, active, or entrepreneurial. It can be spent on a cruise ship, in a mountain village, running marathons, making movies. And you don’t have to set the world on fire – if what makes you happy is watching your roses bloom then go for it! The point is, this part of your life, is yours to shape.

Retirement is a time to live fully and follow your own path to what brings you joy.

What will your next chapter be?

Risks of entering into a scheme

An SMSF is a trust generally run for the sole purpose of providing retirement benefits to its members. Generally, it’s illegal for anyone to benefit from the SMSF outside this arrangement.

Individuals are being targeted to start an SMSF for a range of inappropriate and illegal reasons, such as:

• to get a present day benefit for the individual or a different party
• to steal superannuation from the individual
• to convince someone to move their super from an APRA fund to an SMSF so that they can access their super before a condition of release is met
• to convince someone to invest their super money into a fraudulent investment.

You may risk losing some or all of your retirement savings and receive serious penalties if you enter into a scheme. You could also be disqualified as a trustee of your SMSF which could result in your fund being wound up.

Don’t be tempted by ‘too good to be true’ schemes and risk your retirement savings. We encourage you to consult with us before you commit to any arrangements.

You should consider how arrangements you enter affect your SMSF and whether they contravene the tax and super laws. A key issue in many SMSF’s are transactions involving parties who are familiar to you and the consequences of not dealing on an arm’s length basis.

Where you purchase business interests – whether they be property, a share in a business or similar structure, you should always check that your acquisition is at arm’s length by getting an independent valuation at the time of the transfer.

Guide to identifying and avoiding schemes

Anyone can be a promoter of an unlawful tax scheme. Recognise these warning signs, especially in the following arrangements:

• illegal early release schemes that encourage people to set up an SMSF and use their super benefits for personal purposes
• tax avoidance schemes encourage people to channel money inappropriately into their SMSF to avoid paying tax.

Avoid making an investment that could result in illegal consequences, by:

• seeking financial advice in relation to setting up an SMSF and about investments
• recognising a potentially illegal scheme
• getting independent valuations appropriate to the type of asset you’re investing in.

Promoters

Some promoters will look for new ways to exploit the law or changes in the law. They will promote schemes to people and promise benefits that aren’t legally available.

The ATO actively monitors promoter behaviour and acts against promoters through application of the promoter penalty laws.

How to recognise a scheme

Schemes have some common features, they:

• are artificial or contrived arrangements with complex structures around an existing or new SMSF
• involve seemingly unnecessary steps or transactions
• invariably sound ‘too good to be true’ and they generally are.

If you’ve been approached by a promoter

Be aware of individuals who don’t hold a financial license and promote schemes in their own right or on behalf of a business that also doesn’t hold a financial license. You should check the ASIC financial advisers register to make sure the person or business you are dealing with has a financial license.

Make sure you are receiving ethical professional advice when undertaking retirement planning. You should seek a second opinion from a trusted, licensed and reputable expert, especially if you are in any doubt.

If you think you’ve been approached by a promoter or caught up in a scheme, contact us immediately so we can help you.

Be aware of these schemes

SMSF-related schemes of concern to be aware of:

• Property
• Illegal early access
• Non-concessional cap manipulation
• Dividend stripping
• Limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBA)
• Personal services income
• Mezzanine lending
• Asset protection schemes
• Asset valuations
• Multiple SMSFs
• Inappropriate use of reserves

Property

The following schemes relate to SMSFs and property.

Residential property purchased through illegal SMSF schemes

These schemes often target first home buyers wanting to enter the Australian property market to purchase a house and land package.

These schemes may be structured differently, but typically involve the:

• set up or use of an SMSF
• rollover of a member’s super benefits from an existing fund to the SMSF
• SMSF investing in a property trust (an unrelated unit trust) for a fixed period and rate of return, being a contributory fund with other investors
• on-lending of money by the property trust to individuals to help them purchase real property, secured by mortgages over the property.

Once the investment is in place, the member gains access to money from a third-party entity to help finance the purchase of residential property under an arrangement commonly referred to as a ‘loan’. Depending on the scheme, this money is used for:

• all or part of the deposit
• the balance of the purchase price
• costs related to the purchase.

In some cases, the money is also used to help consolidate the member’s personal debts to help them secure a home loan.

In return for a high fee paid by the fund, the scheme promoter commonly helps by:

• establishing the SMSF and the property investment
• organising the purchase of the property, including the payment of the deposit and home loan.

These schemes are established and promoted to look like a genuine SMSF investment to help individuals purchase a home.

However, they often contravene one or more of the super laws, which may give us reason to view the SMSF as:

• a ‘sham’ and not a legitimate super fund
• providing a member with a current day benefit
• set up and maintained in a way that doesn’t comply with the sole purpose test.

The arrangement may also involve the:

• illegal early access of super benefits by members
• giving of financial assistance to a member using the resources of the fund
• provision of a ‘loan’ to a member to help them buy a home (if a genuine ‘loan’, will be an in-house asset of the fund).

To determine whether a scheme gives rise to a contravention of the super laws, we will take a ‘look-through’ approach and consider the arrangement as a whole.

If SMSF monies are used to help purchase a house for a member or a relative to live in through investments in other entities, this may be treated as illegal early access of super benefits. The amount may be included in the member’s assessable income and taxed at their marginal rate, with the potential for tax shortfall penalties to also apply.

The trustee will have contravened one or more of the super laws and serious penalties may apply. The trustee may be:

• personally liable to pay an administrative penalty
• disqualified from acting as trustee.

If trustees are involved in a scheme like this, they should make a voluntary disclosure, see SMSF early engagement and voluntary disclosure service. The ATO will take this into account when determining any penalties that may apply.

If you’re approached by promoters or think you’re involved in a scheme you can report it to us confidentially, as well as the ATO.

Related-party property development ventures

Property development in associated joint venture structures may result in substantial profits for the SMSF, especially if related group entities provide most of the services without adhering to arm’s length market values. This results in profits disproportionately attributed to the SMSF compared to the capital contributed.

Whilst an SMSF can invest directly or indirectly in property development ventures, extreme care must be taken.

Some arrangements can result in significant income tax and superannuation regulatory risks, potentially including the application of the NALI provisions and breaches of regulatory rules about related party transactions.

Residential property purchased in a member’s name

This is where an SMSF is set up to help members buy residential property in their personal name. These schemes often target first home buyers wanting to enter the property market.

Legal life interest of property

This happens when an SMSF member or other related entity grants a legal life interest over commercial property to a SMSF. This means the rental income diverted to the SMSF is taxed at a lower rate without full ownership of the property ever transferring to the SMSF.

Illegal early access

Illegal early access schemes encourage you to withdraw your super before you’re legally entitled to.

Beware of people promoting early access schemes. They might tell you they can help you set up a SMSF to withdraw your super and use it to pay for personal expenses.

Non-concessional cap manipulation

This occurs when SMSF members deliberately exceed their non-concessional contributions cap to manipulate the taxable and non-taxable components of their superannuation account balances.

Dividend stripping

When shareholders in a private company transfer ownership of their shares to a related SMSF, the company can pay franked dividends to the SMSF and strip profits from the company in a tax-free or concessionally taxed form.

Limited recourse borrowing arrangements (LRBA)

The following schemes relate to LRBAs.

LRBA and arm’s length dealings

SMSF trustees undertaking LRBA and related party lending arrangements that are not consistent with a genuine arm’s length dealing.

LRBA and intra-group lending arrangements

Any lending arrangements which involve an SMSF, whether directly via an LRBA or indirectly through an associated entity that can benefit an SMSF, must be on terms equivalent to those commercially available to people in similar lending circumstances.

Any variation of these terms may include but are not limited to:

• the risks being taken by the lender
• interest rates
• terms of repayment.

Increasing SMSF balances and profits to the SMSF through below-market value interest payments are of particular interest to the ATO when conducting reviews into non-arm’s length income matters.

Personal services income

This occurs when an individual (with an SMSF often in pension phase) diverts income earned from personal services to the SMSF to be concessionally taxed or treated as exempt from tax.

Mezzanine lending

Lending by the SMSF with complex intra-group lending arrangements that provides both finance and asset protection. While the intra-group entities bear the risk, the SMSF receives all of the profit from the arrangement.

Asset protection schemes

Arrangements that claim to protect SMSF assets from creditors by mortgaging them to an asset protection trust (known as a ‘Vestey Trust’) present a compliance risk.

A Vestey Trust is a discretionary trust established by deed. It is claimed that the trust is set up to acquire the equity in the SMSF’s assets through an equitable mortgage.

The mortgage is supported by a promissory note executed by the SMSF to the Vestey Trust. This recognises a debt is owed by the SMSF to the Vestey Trust. The mortgage is also supported by a caveat by the Vestey Trust over the SMSF’s real property. The arrangement can also allow a transfer of the SMSF’s cash holdings to a bank account in the name of the Vestey Trust.

Some asset protection schemes are a concern because:

• First, the arrangement is unnecessary because the super system already protects SMSF assets from creditors.
• Second, the arrangement is a compliance risk and may contravene one or more super laws. For example, it may
  • result in the giving of a ‘charge’ over, or in relation to, a fund asset by the SMSF trustee
  • involve the ‘borrowing’ of money by the SMSF trustee
  • expose fund assets to unnecessary risk if it’s not clear who owns them
  • cause the fund to be maintained in a way that doesn’t comply with the sole purpose test.
• Finally, SMSF money can’t be used for costs related to asset protection arrangements entered into by members to protect their personal or business assets because these expenses are not incurred in running the SMSF.

If the arrangement contravenes the super laws, penalties may apply.

If trustees are involved in a scheme like this, they should make a voluntary disclosure. The ATO will take this into account when determining any compliance action.

Asset valuations

Where asset valuations are not fit for purpose and are being applied to the intra-group transfer of assets. The assets are being transferred to the SMSF at lower values than they’re worth.

Multiple SMSFs

Improper use of multiple SMSFs can become a compliance issue when additional funds are established to manipulate tax outcomes. For example:

• switching the respective funds between accumulation and retirement phase
• rolling over potentially tainted NALI funds into a new SMSF to avoid possible reviews and amendments by us.

Inappropriate use of reserves

Many existing reserves in SMSFs arose legitimately from legacy pensions that are no longer available. Consequently, there are limited appropriate circumstances where new reserves could be established and maintained in SMSFs. Structures using reserves designed to bypass super balance and transfer balance cap measures will attract our scrutiny.

For more information or, if you are unsure about anything outlined above, give us a call.

Source: ato.gov.au September 2025
Reproduced with the permission of the Australian Tax Office. This article was originally published on https://www.ato.gov.au/about-ato/tax-avoidance/understanding-tax-schemes/schemes-targeting-smsfs
Important:
This provides general information and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account.  It’s important to consider your particular circumstances before deciding what’s right for you. Although the information is from sources considered reliable, we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. You should not rely upon it and should seek qualified advice before making any investment decision. Except where liability under any statute cannot be excluded, we do not accept any liability (whether under contract, tort or otherwise) for any resulting loss or damage of the reader or any other person.
Any information provided by the author detailed above is separate and external to our business and our Licensee. Neither our business nor our Licensee takes any responsibility for any action or any service provided by the author. Any links have been provided with permission for information purposes only and will take you to external websites, which are not connected to our company in any way. Note: Our company does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of the contents/information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page.

Few investment sectors combine geopolitical intrigue, technological innovation and long-term growth potential quite like rare earth elements (REEs).

For Australians, the recent deal with the United States to supply rare earths to seed US$8.5 billion worth of new projects, has thrust the sector into the spotlight.

What are rare earths?

Rare earth elements are a group of 17 metallic elements that, despite the name, are not particularly rare but are difficult and costly to refine. Their unique properties are essential in the powerful magnets that drive electronic devices such as headphones, speakers and computers, wind turbine generators, electric vehicles and medical technology such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Almost half of the world’s known reserves of rare earths are in China. It’s estimated 44 million metric tonnes dwarf our 5.7 million and the 1.9 million in the United States. Brazil has about 21 million metric tonnes.

Production and processing

Reserves are one thing but production and processing is what makes the difference for investors.

China is leading the field by a wide margin. It extracted and processed some 270,000 tonnes in 2024. The US was next with 45,000 tonnes, followed by Myanmar (31,000) and Australia, Nigeria and Thailand, each on 13,000 tonnes.

Australia’s strategic position

The deal recently signed in Washington – the US-Australia Framework for Securing Supply of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths – commits both countries to investing at least US$1 billion each over the next six months to accelerate mining, processing and supply chain development for critical minerals.

Two of the projects were announced by Prime Minister Albanese after his recent meeting with US President Trump.

One project, the Alcoa-Sojitz Gallium Recovery project in Western Australia, will provide up to 10 per cent of total global supply of gallium, essential for defence and semiconductor manufacturing.

The second, the Arafura Nolans project in the Northern Territory, aims to supply 5 per cent of global rare earth demand by 2029.

A recently announced third project, Astron Corporation’s Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands project in western Victoria, is expected to become the fourth-largest rare earth mine in the world outside China.

The landmark Australia-US deal is a response to China’s dominance in the rare earths market and Beijing’s recent export restrictions on rare earths, which have left many nervous about vulnerabilities in the supply chains for defence and high-tech industries.

Investment opportunities and risks

For some investors, rare earths may be seen as a long-term opportunity given a prediction by the International Energy Agency that demand could double by 2040.

There are several ways to invest including:

• Directly in ASX-listed companies such as Lynas Rare Earths (LYC), Arafura Rare Earths (ARU) or Iluka Resources (ILO)
• Through exchange traded funds (ETFs) or managed funds that offer exposure to rare earths miners and processors
• In private equity and venture capital. For high-net-worth investors, early stage mining and processing ventures may offer high risk, high reward potential

Of course, there are risks worth considering including geopolitical volatility, growing environmental concerns over the high water and energy demands, and China’s ability to flood the market or further restrict exports, which could cause price volatility.

In any case, patience will be required. Mines can take as long as seven years to become operational.

The bottom line for investors is while rare earths are a sector still maturing, they are critical to a range of industries and expected to increase in value over the next decade. However, their share prices are sensitive to global headlines, politics and policy changes, so volatility is to be expected – particularly in the current environment.

As always, there is a lot to consider when weighing up investment opportunities and we are here to discuss any aspect of your investment strategy.

Ways of contributing to your spouse’s super

There are 2 ways of contributing to your spouse’s super:

• You may be able to split contributions you have already made to your own super, by rolling them over to your spouse’s super – known as a contributions-splitting super benefit.
• You can make a super contribution directly to your spouse’s super, treated as their non-concessional contribution, which may entitle you to a tax offset.

Splitting your contributions with your spouse

Some super funds allow you to split your contributions with your spouse.

When and how to apply

You can generally apply to split your contributions with your spouse after the end of the income year in which your contributions were made.

You apply to your fund to split your employer contributions and personal concessional contributions made during the previous income year, using the Superannuation contributions splitting application (NAT 15237) or similar form provided by your fund. The fund has the discretion to allow or not allow the request.

There are restrictions on the type and amount of contributions you can split.

If you’re planning to split any part of your contributions with your spouse but you also want to claim a tax deduction for them, you must give your fund the notice of intent to claim a deduction before applying to split the contributions.

How split contributions are treated and reported

A contribution split with your spouse is called a ‘contributions-splitting super benefit’ and is treated as a rollover to your spouse, not a new contribution for them.

Accordingly, splitting your contributions with your spouse does not reduce the total contributions made for you or change their characteristics for the purposes of your contributions caps. For example, if you make a personal contribution and claim a tax deduction for it, that will count towards your concessional contributions cap for the year even if you then split and roll it over to your spouse. It will not count towards your spouse’s cap.

Tax offset for super contributions on behalf of your spouse

You may be able to claim a tax offset of up to $540 per year if you make a super contribution on behalf of your spouse (married or de facto) if their income is below $40,000.

Contributions you make to your spouse’s super are treated as their non-concessional contributions, whether or not you’re eligible for the super tax offset.

General eligibility conditions

To be eligible:

• the contribution must be made to either a complying super fund or an approved retirement savings account (RSA)
• both you and your spouse must be Australian residents when the contribution is made
• the contribution is not deductible by you
• you and your spouse must not be living separately and apart on a permanent basis when making the contribution.

Specific eligibility conditions

You’re eligible for a tax offset for a contribution made on behalf of your spouse if:

• their income is less than $40,000 in the income year in which the contribution is made, calculated as the sum of their:
  • assessable income (disregarding any amount released to your spouse under the first home super saver scheme)
  • total reportable fringe benefits amounts
  • total reportable employer super contributions
• your spouse did not exceed their non-concessional contributions cap in the income year in which the contribution is made
• your spouse had a total super balance less than the general transfer balance cap immediately before the start of the income year in which the contribution is made
• for the 2020–21 and later income years, your spouse was under 75 years old when the contributions are made
• for income years before 2020–21, your spouse was under 70 years old when the contributions were made.

Offset amount

The tax offset amount reduces when your spouse’s income is greater than $37,000 and completely phases out when your spouse’s income reaches $40,000. The tax offset is calculated as 18% of the lesser of:

• $3,000 minus the amount by which your spouse’s income exceeds $37,000
• the sum of your spouse contributions in the income year.

The tax offset for eligible spouse contributions can’t be claimed for super contributions that you made to your own fund, then split to your spouse. That is a rollover or transfer, not a contribution.

Example: eligibility for the tax offset for super contributions on behalf of your spouse

Robert and Judy are spouses. Robert earns $19,000 in 2018–19 and Judy makes a $3,500 contribution to Robert’s super fund.

Robert and Judy meet the eligibility requirements to claim a tax offset. Judy can claim a tax offset in her 2018–19 tax return for the contributions she makes to Robert’s super fund.

The tax offset is calculated as 18% of the lesser of:

• $3,000 minus the amount over $37,000 that Robert earned (in this case, nil)
• the value of the spouse contributions (in this case, $3,500).

Judy can claim a tax offset of $540, being 18% of $3,000.

Example: eligibility for a part tax offset for super contributions on behalf of your spouse

Carmel and Adam are married and living together. Carmel is 46 years old and her income is $38,000 per year. Carmel has not exceeded her non-concessional contributions cap for the income year, and her total super balance is under $1.6 million.

Adam wishes to make a super contribution of $3,000, on Carmel’s behalf, to her complying super fund.

Carmel’s income is under the threshold. Adam is eligible for a tax offset. As Carmel earns more than $37,000 per year, Adam will not receive the maximum tax offset of $540. Instead, his entitlement is 18% of the lesser of:

• $3,000 reduced by every dollar over $37,000 that Carmel earns
• the value of spouse contributions.

Carmel earns $1,000 over the $37,000 income threshold. Adam’s tax offset is $360. This is calculated as 18% of $2,000 ($3,000 reduced by the $1,000 that Carmel earned over the $37,000 income threshold).

If you have any questions regarding this article, contact us today.

Source: ato.gov.au
Reproduced with the permission of the Australian Tax Office. This article was originally published onhttps://www.ato.gov.au/individuals-and-families/super-for-individuals-and-families/super/growing-and-keeping-track-of-your-super/how-to-save-more-in-your-super/spouse-super-contributions
Important:
This provides general information and hasn’t taken your circumstances into account.  It’s important to consider your particular circumstances before deciding what’s right for you. Although the information is from sources considered reliable, we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete. You should not rely upon it and should seek qualified advice before making any investment decision. Except where liability under any statute cannot be excluded, we do not accept any liability (whether under contract, tort or otherwise) for any resulting loss or damage of the reader or any other person.
Any information provided by the author detailed above is separate and external to our business and our Licensee. Neither our business nor our Licensee takes any responsibility for any action or any service provided by the author. Any links have been provided with permission for information purposes only and will take you to external websites, which are not connected to our company in any way. Note: Our company does not endorse and is not responsible for the accuracy of the contents/information contained within the linked site(s) accessible from this page.

Sweeping reforms to aged care came into effect on 1 November 2025 to help improve the quality, transparency and flexibility of care.

With more care levels, clearer pricing, and greater control over how your funding is used, the new system aims to better match services to individual needs. Providers will now be required to offer detailed cost breakdowns, empowering you to make informed decisions about your care.

While the reforms are a step forward in care quality, they also come with changes in how services are funded and that may mean higher out-of-pocket costs for some.

What you pay depends on your financial situation – whether you receive a full or part pension or are self-funded – and the services you access.

As the aged care landscape evolves, staying informed is key to making confident choices. Whether you’re planning for yourself or supporting a loved one, understanding the new system will help you access the right care at the right time.

Help at home

From 1 November the current Home Care Packages have been replaced by a new program called Support at Home.

The key changes include:

• Eight levels of care (up from four) to better match individual needs
• Extra funding for assistive technology, home modifications and palliative care

Services are expected to remain the same but the way you pay for them may change.

• For example, clinical care (such as nursing or physiotherapy) will be fully funded by the Government.
• You may pay more for everyday living services (such as meal preparation or cleaning) than you do for independence supports (like personal care or transport).
• The out-of-pocket costs for everyday living will range from 17.5 per cent for full pensioners to 80 per cent for self-funded retirees.
• Non-clinical support, like showering, will cost five per cent for full pensioners to 50 per cent for self-funded retirees.

If you were approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024, you will now be eligible for fee concessions to ensure you are not worse off under the new rules.

The package level you are assigned sets the total funding available to pay for care, with 10 per cent allocated to the care provider to cover the cost of care management.

You then work with your provider to decide how you want to spend the rest of the budget. The provider will set their fees for services and you will make a contribution based on your income.

Residential aged care

Room prices in aged care facilities have been steadily rising following an increase in the Refundable Accommodation Deposit (RAD) threshold from $550,000 to $750,000.

Higher RADs mean you may need to use more of your savings or income to cover aged care costs.

From 1 November 2025, anyone who moves into care and pays a RAD, will have two per cent of that amount deducted each year, for up to five years.

You can still opt to pay a Daily Accommodation Payment (DAP), but this will increase every six months in line with inflation.

Other fees include:

• the basic daily fee (set at 85 per cent of the single age pension)
• a means-tested fee or non-clinical care contribution
• potentially a higher everyday living fee (previously known as extra or additional services)

Fee caps and planning ahead

The lifetime cap on aged care contributions continues. You won’t pay more than $130,000 (indexed) over your lifetime towards home care and residential care combined.

Understanding how the changes affect your financial future is vital. You’ll need to consider:

• whether someone will remain in the family home
• your current income and assets
• potential age pension entitlements
• estate planning strategies

Use the government’s fee estimator at MyAgedCare to get a clearer picture of your potential costs.

Get advice early

Navigating aged care can be complex and the changes add new layers of decision-making.

We are here to help you understand the recent changes and assist you when it comes to funding aged care, as well as providing strategic opportunities to minimise fees, maximise your cashflow and plan your future needs.

If you would like to discuss your aged care options, please give us a call.

While it’s tempting to get swept up in the excitement of real estate listings and open homes with freshly baked cookies, it’s important to remember one key principle: caveat emptor- let the buyer beware. In other words, it’s up to you to make sure you’re not buying someone else’s expensive problem disguised with a fresh coat of paint.

Let’s talk about what that means and how to do your homework before you pick up the keys to your future.

Check for unwelcome houseguests or hazards

Just because a house looks clean and tidy doesn’t mean there isn’t a party of pests going on behind the walls. Termites, in particular, are silent destroyers that can chew through timber framing like it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet.

A professional pest inspection can determine if there’s any current activity, previous infestations, or evidence of rodents and other creepy-crawlies you’d prefer not to share your home with. It’s much easier to walk away from a dodgy property than it is to evict a thousand termites.

Of course, it’s also a good idea to check for any potential health hazards like mould, asbestos, or lead paint, which are common in older homes, and even consider checking for soil contamination.

Make sure there’s no insurance surprises

Some properties come with a lovely location and serious risk. If you’re eyeing a home near a river, in the bush, or on a coastal cliff, don’t forget to check what kind of insurance situation you’re getting yourself into.

Insurers might charge a premium or flat-out refuse to cover you if the property is in a flood-prone or bushfire-vulnerable area. Before making an offer, check local hazard maps and call for quotes. Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you.

Check the property’s history

Not all home improvements or renovations are done by the book. Before you get too attached, ask for the paperwork. Has the work been approved by council? Are there permits and final inspection certificates for any recent renovations? If not, you could be looking at future battles with the council, expensive fixes, or worse, being forced to demolish an unapproved structure you just paid good money for.

Don’t judge a home by its new carpet

Fresh paint, new carpet, and strategically placed furniture can hide a multitude of sins. Sometimes sellers use cosmetic upgrades to cover up deeper problems like mould, damp, or structural damage.

If the house smells like fresh paint or looks a little too perfect in specific areas, your inner detective should be on alert. It’s not rude to poke around. Lift a rug, peek inside the cupboards, turn on taps and check out the roof space and under the house, if you can. Things that can be red flags include misaligned doors, cracks in walls or new plasterwork, windows that are hard to open or have cracked glass. These issues can all point to structural issues that can be expensive to fix.

Get a professional involved

Consider engaging a professional building inspector to identify any undisclosed or non-compliant works and look for signs of water damage, dodgy wiring, structural issues, and other costly defects that aren’t visible to the untrained eye.

Think of it as hiring a bodyguard for your future bank account.

Don’t neglect the fine print

Even if the seller seems genuine and the home looks like something out of a magazine, don’t skip the fine print. Request documentation and take the time to have the contract of sale reviewed by a solicitor or conveyancer. Make sure any inclusions like appliances, curtains, or fixtures are clearly listed. Check if there are any easements, restrictions, or future developments nearby that could affect your property. You don’t want to move into your peaceful dream home only to find out there’s a freeway going in or an apartment complex being built next door.

You should compare the measurements shown on the title document with actual fences and buildings on the property, to make sure the boundary matches what’s on paper.

A property might come with charm, character, and a great location, but you need to make sure it also comes with solid bones, legal compliance, and no nasty surprises lurking under the surface.

So, take your time and remember, you’re not just buying a house. You’re investing in your future comfort, safety, and happiness.

If you have any questions or need any information please give us a call on 039723 0522.