Client Services
Tailored services to simplify your Age Pension journey
Age Pension Consultation
$150 flat fee
Service Description
Our Age Pension Consultation provides you with a clear understanding of how the Age Pension works and how it applies to your unique situation. During this consultation, we will cover key topics, including:
Age and Residency Eligibility: Determine if you meet the basic criteria.
Assets and Income Tests: Understand how the assets test and income test work and how they will impact your entitlements.
We then personalise this information by applying it to your specific circumstances, ensuring you have a thorough understanding of what you may be entitled to receive.
Depending on the complexity of your circumstances, we may be able to provide you with a estimate of your likely entitlements.
If applying for the Age Pension is relevant to you, we guide you through the application process, ensuring you’re set up to receive the correct payments. Along the way, we share valuable hints and tips, and provide additional assistance if needed.
Generally consultations will take around 60 Mins and are followed up by email with a meeting summary.
This consultation is the ideal starting point before proceeding with our Age Pension Application Package or Age Pension Support Package.
Age Pension Application Package
Service Fees
Base Fee Packages (includes dedicated hours):
Single Pensioner: $600
Member of a Couple: $720
Pensioner Couple: $840
Complexity Add-Ons: An additional fee of $120 per complexity applies (maximum $360). Complexities include:
Companies, trusts, and partnerships
Sole trader business operations
Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs)
Rental properties
Partially assessable primary residences
Foreign income or assets
How it Works: For every $120 charged (base fee + complexity add-ons), you receive up to one hour of our expert time.
Service Description
Applying for the Age Pension can be a daunting task, especially if paperwork isn't your strength, you're not tech-savvy, or you find the process too complex. Our service is designed to provide complete support, whether you prefer not to interact with Centrelink directly or simply need expert assistance to navigate the application.
We are committed to making the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, ensuring you receive the guidance you need every step of the way.
Our Step-by-Step Process
Our comprehensive package includes full management of the entire application journey:
Initial Data Collection: We personally guide you through any application questions you are unsure of.
Supporting Document Collection: We assist in gathering all necessary documents and ensure they are in Centrelink's acceptable formats.
Application Completion: We meticulously complete your application online, taking care of every detail.
Document Uploading: We handle the digital submission of all your required supporting documents.
Application Submission: We ensure your completed application is submitted accurately and on time.
Troubleshooting Delays: We proactively address any issues that might cause delays in processing your claim.
Application Follow-up: We consistently monitor the status of your application with Centrelink until it is approved.
Outcome Verification: Upon completion, we check the final assessment to ensure you have been evaluated correctly and are receiving your full entitlement.
Important Notes:
Eligibility Clause: This service presumes you are eligible for the Age Pension. If we begin the process and determine you are not eligible, our time will be invoiced at our rate of $120 per hour (minimum charge of $180). The balance of any fee paid will be promptly refunded to you.
Non-Refundable Fee: The package fee is non-refundable, covering our upfront commitment, time allocation, and the commencement of your application process. An exception applies as detailed in the 'Eligibility Clause' above.
Additional Time: Should your application's complexity require support beyond the hours included in your package, any extra time will be invoiced at the end of each month at the same reduced rate of $120 per hour.
Ongoing Support: If you find it challenging to consistently keep our Centrelink obligations updated, consider our Age Pension Support Package for ongoing, proactive assistance.
Alternative Support: If you choose not to take up this package but require specific ad-hoc assistance related to your Age Pension application, our standard Age Pension Advocacy and Advice fee of $150 per hour will apply.
Age Pension Client Support Package
Service Fees
Flat rate of $600 per annum for Single Pensioners, and Couples (base rate)
Complexity Add-Ons: An additional fee of $50 per complexity applies (maximum $150). Complexities include:
Companies, trusts, and partnerships
Sole trader business operations
Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs)
Rental properties
Partially assessable primary residences
Foreign income or assets
How it Works: For every $100 of your package fee (base fee + complexity add-ons), you receive up to one hour of our expert time.
Service Description
Navigating the complexities of your Age Pension can be challenging, but we’re here to make the process seamless. This annual package is designed to help you meet your Centrelink obligations and provide you with access to ongoing advice and advocacy, ensuring your entitlements are always accurate and maximised.
What’s Included in Our Age Pension Support Package:
Ongoing Advice and Advocacy: We provide continuous support throughout your package duration, assisting with various situations, including:
Monitoring changes to your pension amount and addressing any questions you have.
Assessing the impact of potential life changes on your pension entitlements.
Updating your Centrelink details as needed.
Providing guidance and ensuring appropriate responses when Centrelink contacts you.
Assisting with completing cost of Care Forms (SA 456, SA 457 and SA 485).
Regular Updates: Stay informed with our email updates, featuring:
Summaries of significant changes in Centrelink policy.
Timely updates on changes to pension amounts and thresholds that may affect your entitlements.
Three Monthly Reviews: We conduct up to four in-depth reviews each year to ensure your pension benefits are accurate and optimised. During these reviews, we will:
Access your Centrelink account to verify the assessed assets and income.
Calculate the correct pension benefit and compare it to your current payments, resolving any discrepancies.
Share the data with you for verification, requesting any necessary documentation (e.g., bank statements, investment valuations, financial statements).
Update your Centrelink details and submit supporting documents, following up to ensure all changes are correctly implemented.
Proactively identify potential risks (e.g., such as breaching the assets test) and explore opportunities to maximise your pension entitlement.
Important Notes:
Non-Refundable Fee: The package fee is non-refundable, covering our upfront commitment, time allocation, and the initial remediation of your account.
Maintenance Focus: This package is designed to maintain your current pension circumstances. If your situation requires initial remediation, it is important to be aware that it is likely that the time required to provide all the services in this package will exceed the time allowed and therefore it is likely that additional fees will apply.
Additional Time: Should your application's complexity require support beyond the hours included in your package, any extra time will be invoiced at the end of each month at the same reduced rate of $100 per hour.
Alternative Support: If you choose not to take up this package but require specific ad-hoc assistance related to Aged Care or your Age Pension, our standard Age Pension Advocacy and Advice fee of $150 per hour will apply.
Cost of Care Package
Service Fees
Flat rate of $600 per annum for single pensioners, and couples (base rate)
Complexity Add-Ons: An additional fee of $120 per complexity applies (maximum $360). Complexities include:
Companies, trusts, and partnerships
Sole trader business operations
Self-Managed Super Funds (SMSFs)
Rental properties
Partially assessable primary residences
Foreign income or assets
How it Works: For every $120 of your package fee (base fee + complexity add-ons), you receive up to one hour of our expert time.
Service Description
Navigating the complexities of Aged Care can be overwhelming, with many intricate steps in the process. Our Cost of Care Package is designed to simplify this by ensuring your Centrelink account is accurate and that the forms crucial for determining your cost of care are completed correctly.
What’s Included:
Updating Centrelink: We will guide you through the process of updating your Centrelink details to ensure that your financial assessment is correct. Any discrepancies will be addressed, and thorough pension check will be conducted to verify the accuracy of your Age Pension benefit.
Cost of Care Forms: We will assist you with completing the essential Cost of Care Forms including SA 456, SA 457 and SA 485, ensuring all information is accurate and submitted correctly.
Important Notes:
Cost of Care Calculations: Please note that the final Aged Care fee calculations are performed solely by Centrelink based on the information provided. The primary purpose of this package is to ensure that data Centrelink uses for these calculations is precise and up-to-date, thereby setting the foundation for accurate fees.
Remediation Focus: This package is designed to bring your Centrelink Account up-to-date for aged care assessment purposes. If your situation is significantly different from what Centrelink currently holds, this may involve a complex remediation process. In such cases, the time required may exceed the included hours and additional fees may apply.
Non-Refundable Fee: The package fee is non-refundable, covering our upfront commitment, time allocation, and thecommencment of your Aged Care assessment process.
Ongoing Support: If you find it challenging to consistently keep our Centrelink obligations updated, consider our Age Pension Support Package for ongoing, proactive assistance.
Alternative Support: If you choose not to take up this package but require specific ad-hoc assistance related to Aged Care or your Age Pension, our standard Age Pension Advocacy and Advice fee of $150 per hour will apply.
Age Pension Advocacy and Account Remediation
$150 per hour / $100 minimum
Service Description
This service is designed for clients who need specific expert advice or direct assistance with Centrelink, without committing to an ongoing package. We offer support for a wide range of issues, from understanding how Centrelink treats your superannuation or inheritance to lodging review requests and formal appeals.
When You Need Advice (Correspondence Nominee Not Required): If you have specific questions or need expert guidance (e.g., about how Centrelink will treat an income stream, the impact of an inheritance on benefits, or strategies to increase entitlements), we're here to help.
When You Need Advocacy & Account Remediation (Correspondence Nominee Appointment required): If you require direct management of your Centrelink interactions, we can act as your Correspondence Nominee. This allows us to:
Access your Centrelink account
Upload and submit documents on your behalf
Update your income and assets online
Communicate directly with Centrelink for you
Lodge review requests and formal appeals
This service is ideal for those who primarily manage their own Centrelink updates but need expert assistance with more complex issues as they arise or for proactive advice on specific situations.
Travel
$100 minimum
Service Description
We offer flexible meeting options to suit your preferences. You can choose to meet at my home office, your home, your place of business, or even at a coffee shop of your choice. If you prefer that I do the travelling, an additional fee will apply, based on the distance travelled and time taken, with a minimum charge of $100. Please enquire for a firm price if this is your preferred option.
For your convenience, virtual meetings via Zoom, FaceTime, or Messenger video are always available as an alternative.