Tomorrow marks more than just Halloween — it’s the beginning of a new era for aged care in Australia.
From 1 November 2025, the Aged Care Act 2024 officially takes effect, bringing the biggest shake-up to aged care in decades. And while spooky decorations come down after the weekend, the new rules are here to stay.
What’s Changing from 1 November 2025?
Under the new Aged Care Act 2024, the focus shifts towards greater choice, transparency, and individual control:
• Support at Home Program — replaces the existing Home Care Packages with a simpler, flexible model that allows older Australians to tailor support around their lifestyle and independence goals.
• Residential Aged Care Reform — funding and places will now follow the person, not the provider, meaning more freedom to choose where and how you receive care.
• New Rights & Protections — a clearer Charter of Rights ensures residents have a stronger voice in the quality of their care and services.
• Updated Fee & Funding Rules — means-tested and accommodation fees remain, but the way they are assessed and subsidised will evolve under the new framework.
These reforms are designed to simplify the system — but for many families, understanding how they affect cash flow, social security, and estate planning can still be a little scary.
Why Financial Advice Matters More Than Ever
Aged care has always been complex, sitting at the crossroads of Centrelink rules, taxation, superannuation, and estate planning. Even small choices — such as how to fund accommodation payments or whether to rent out the family home — can make a big difference to Age Pension entitlements and long-term wealth outcomes.
Our Aged Care Flyer and A Guide to Aged Care outline the key steps:
1. Get assessed by your local Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT).
2. Compare care options — home care, respite, or residential care.
3. Understand the fees — from the basic daily fee to the means-tested and accommodation payments .
4. Decide what to do with the family home — keep, rent, or sell, depending on your circumstances.
5. Review your Centrelink and DVA entitlements — ensure you’re receiving the right benefits after moving into care.
A qualified financial adviser can guide you through these decisions, explain funding options, and help structure your assets to balance care quality with affordability.
The Family Home: Still at the Heart of It All
For many retirees, the family home is their largest asset — and often the hardest part of aged-care planning.
Your home may be exempt from aged-care means testing if a partner or certain family members continue to live there. However, once sold or rented, its treatment under social-security and tax rules can change dramatically.
Before making any move, it’s important to understand how these choices affect:
• your daily fees and refundable accommodation deposits (RADs)
• potential capital-gains-tax outcomes
• and any Age Pension adjustments.
At Goal Financial Services, we help clients evaluate all options — whether to sell, rent, or retain — so that decisions are made with both financial and family goals in mind.
️Plan Ahead — Don’t Be Spooked by Last-Minute Decisions
The best defence against “Financial Halloween” surprises is early preparation. Even if you’re not yet ready for aged care, planning ahead gives you more flexibility, peace of mind, and the ability to make decisions on your terms.
Our experienced advisers can help you:
• estimate aged-care fees and cash-flow needs
• coordinate Centrelink assessments
• understand funding models like RADs and DAPs
• protect assets for the next generation
Turn a Fright into Confidence
Aged care planning doesn’t need to be scary — it’s about creating comfort, clarity, and choice in later life.
If you or a loved one is nearing retirement, now is the perfect time to review your plan and ensure you’re ready for the new rules.
Download our “A Guide to Aged Care” or “Aged Care Flyer” from Goal Financial Services, or call 1300 33 4625 to speak with our team.
Let’s make sure the only fright this November is the Halloween candy bowl — not your aged-care funding plan.