APS Benefits Group

29/10/2026

Most families don't think about aged care costs until a parent suddenly needs more support, and then they're making big decisions in the middle of a hard moment.

Here's something that surprises a lot of people. The government caps how much you can be asked to contribute towards care, both each year and across your lifetime. So while the numbers can look daunting, it isn't an open-ended bill.

There are a few other details that are easy to miss too. The lump sum many people pay for a room is refundable, with the balance coming back to you or your estate. The family home is usually exempt if a spouse still lives there, and even when it's counted, only a capped portion of its value is included. And since November 2025, care at home through the new Support at Home program has no basic daily fee.

None of this makes aged care simple, but understanding how the costs fit together before things become urgent can take a real weight off.

If you're only starting to think about this for someone you love, that's completely okay. Our Financial Planning team would genuinely love to help make this part feel a little less daunting.

Most people don't come to me to talk about aged care when things are calm. They come in the middle of a hard moment. A fall, a hospital stay, a mum or ...

27/10/2026

Most people put off writing a will because it feels like a "someday" job. Something to get to once things settle down, once there's more time, or once it feels urgent.

The truth is, there's no perfect moment. Life moves, circumstances change, and the people you love shouldn't have to navigate uncertainty on top of everything else.

With APS Online Wills, the whole process can be done in around 30 minutes, completely online, with our legal team reviewing everything before it's finalised. No stacks of paperwork or confusing legal jargon, just a simple way to make sure your wishes are clear and your loved ones are looked after.

To get your sorted today, visit https://apsbenefitsgroup.com.au/legal-services/online-wills/.

23/10/2026

Unexpected bills are rarely unexpected, just forgotten. Jot down when your big bills are due and spread them across the month, so no single week takes the hit. A simple schedule makes the surprises disappear.

22/10/2026

No judgement here, most of us are winging it a little.

Our financial planning team can help turn the vague idea into an actual plan, whenever you're ready.

To learn more, visit https://apsbenefitsgroup.com.au/financial-services/.

19/10/2026

When did you last actually look at your home loan? Not the repayment leaving your account each month, but the rate itself, and whether it's still doing right by you.

For most people, the honest answer is "not since I set it up." Which makes sense. But lenders tend to save their sharpest offers for new customers, and the ones already on the books can quietly slip onto a higher rate without ever being told. Over the life of a loan, even a small difference adds up.

A few signs it's worth checking in: it's been two years or more since you took out or reviewed your loan, your fixed rate is ending, your circumstances have changed, or you've just got a nagging feeling your repayments are higher than they should be.

Sometimes the answer is switching. Sometimes it's simply going back to your current lender and asking them to do better. And sometimes, you're already on a good thing, which is a perfectly good outcome too.

Either way, it costs you nothing to find out.

A question I ask a lot of people, and one that often catches them a little off guard, is a simple one. When did you last actually look at your home loan? No ...

14/10/2026

When someone loses a parent, the last thing they need is more stress. Our team's role is to make that part feel a little easier, with compassion, clear communication and no unnecessary back and forth.

Thank you for trusting us with something so personal.

07/10/2026

We are so proud to support REACH Siem Reap .

Based in Cambodia, REACH works with children and families living in poverty, providing access to education, nutrition and health programs. Their approach is built on a simple belief, that to really help a child, you have to support the whole family.

It's thoughtful, community-driven work, and we're genuinely honoured to stand behind it.

Visit our web page to learn more about REACHhttps://reachsiemreap....

05/10/2026

It's one of those lines on your payslip or tax return that a lot of people notice and wonder about.

The Medicare levy is a 2% contribution most Australians pay based on their taxable income. It's what helps fund Medicare, the public healthcare system that covers things like seeing a GP, hospital care, and a long list of other services, for everyone, regardless of what they earn or their health situation.

So while it might feel like just another deduction, it's really going toward something we all rely on at some point, whether that's a routine check up or something more serious.

There's also the Medicare Levy Surcharge, which is a separate thing. It only kicks in if you earn above a certain threshold and don't have private hospital cover, and it's there to encourage higher income earners to take a bit of pressure off the public system.

If you've ever looked at that line and wondered what it's actually for, our tax team's happy to talk you through it. To learn more, visit https://apsbenefitsgroup.com.au/tax-and-accounting/.

01/10/2026

Some members don't think about tax until it lands in their lap, and then wonder what they missed.

If your total work-related claims come to more than $300, you actually need written evidence for all of it, not just the part over the limit. It's the kind of detail that catches people out every year.

There are a few other things that quietly slip through too. Income protection insurance held outside your super. The fee you paid your tax agent last year. Sunscreen and a hat if you work outdoors. Your working-from-home hours, if you've actually kept a record as you went.

None of these are handed to you. But if the spending was real and work-related, they're yours to claim, and plenty of people leave them on the table.

If some of this is new to you, that's completely okay. Our friendly tax and accounting team would genuinely love to help make this tax season feel a little easier.

Every year around tax time, someone tells me the same thing: "I think I missed a few things last year." Usually it's said with a bit of a win ...

29/09/2026

Whether you're buying your first home, upgrading to your next one, or wondering if your current loan is still the right fit, the home loan you're on makes a real difference to how comfortable things feel month to month.

The tricky part is knowing whether there's something better out there, without spending your weekends comparing lender after lender.

That's where our mortgage broking team comes in. They look right across the market, compare a wide range of lenders, and help you find a loan that genuinely suits your situation. No pushing, no obligation, just clear guidance so you can move forward feeling confident about your next step.

And because we're member-owned, the focus is always on what's right for you, not on selling you a particular product.

If it's been a while since you looked at your home loan, this is a good time to ask. Our friendly team would love to help. To learn more, visit https://apsbenefitsgroup.com.au/loans/home-loans/