The fall in interest rates over the last 5 years to historic lows, has seen retirees struggle to earn much interest on their invested funds, to supplement any Centrelink or DVA pension they may earn, forcing retirees to rethink their investment portfolio. Similarly those people who have moved into aged care facilities, and sold their […]

You have probably heard about Probate, but many people have no idea of what it is or whether it is needed. A Grant of Probate is a document provided by the Supreme Court in the relevant state for a deceased person. Most people leave a Will, setting out who they wish to leave their assets […]

At Balance, we believe it is important that you know some of the facilities that are potential options for aged care for you and your loved ones. Today we feature IRT Thomas Holt and IRT Berala on the Park.   IRT Thomas Holt IRT Group amalgamated with Thomas Holt in 2019, forming IRT Thomas Holt. Operating across […]

When a person dies, in most situations the executor needs to apply for Probate, the choices open to the executor are; Apply for Probate themselves Engage a Solicitor to apply for Probate on your behalf Engage a Trustee (like the NSW Public Trustee & Guardian OR Engage Balance Estate Management Probate is the Supreme court […]

The Royal Commission into Safety & Quality in Residential Aged Care & Home Care, does not seem to have come up with the extreme revelations that came out of the Banking & Financial Royal Commission. That is not to say that the aged care industry is perfect, far from it. However, to put perspective around […]

From the 20th September 2019 Centrelink & DVA (Dept. of Veterans Affairs) will apply the new deeming rates, which were announced in July this year. Centrelink & DVA use an income and asset test to work out how much pension they can pay pension recipients. Centrelink & DVA include any “deemed income” in the income […]

The Government has announced the following increases to Age Pensions, Disability Pension & the same applies to Service Pensions for DVA The maximum rate of Age, Disability & Service pension (DVA) per fortnight Basic rate Plus + Supplements Total pension Single $850.40pf $68.90 +$14.10 $933.40/pf Couple $641.00/pf $51.90 +$10.60 $703.50/pf each $1407.00/pf combined Illness separated […]

The Government has announced the indexation to the Aged Care Fees for September 2019, only the Basic Daily Care Fee changes affect existing residents. Post July 2014 Residents, Basic Daily Care Fee (BDCF) $51.63/day Annual Limit of Means Tested Fee $27,754.52 pa Lifetime limit of Means Tested Fee $66,610.90   Pre July 2014 Residents Basic […]

Each quarter we select a winner from those people who have referred other clients to us, for aged care assistance. We appreciate the referral and hence draw a winner each quarter and offer them voucher to the value of $250. The winner for March 2019 is Anna Geracitano! Thank you Anna for your support.

Scott Morison promised to add only $362m for residential Aged Care, but offered: $2.2 Billion road safety 29th March $10 billion (Joint venture Victorian Govt.) airport rail link 13/3/2019 $3.5 Billion climate solutions $5.3 Billion transport infrastructure spent in South Australia (last 5 years) $4.2 Billion in Foreign Aid in 2018   The aged care […]