Health & Finance Integrated

18/08/2026

How are compensation lump sums actually treated under Centrelink? For lawyers and professional advisers, the answer often comes down to what the payment represents, not just the amount received.

Our latest guide walks through settlement terms, redress payments, the preclusion period and what to check before a settlement is finalised.

https://healthfinance.com.au/compensation-lump-sums-centrelink/

📞 Or call our team on 1300 10 44 99 to talk through a specific case.

A guide to how compensation lump sums are treated under Centrelink, covering settlement terms, redress payments and what lawyers should check first.

05/08/2026

A large payout can feel like the end of the road. For many claimants and their families, it's not.

The real work often begins after the settlement letter, not before it. Centrelink implications, existing debt, family pressure and reduced earning capacity can all quietly erode a payout that looked more than sufficient on paper.

Our latest article looks at what a genuine post-claim financial strategy actually covers, and why claimants, families and referring lawyers all benefit from treating it as part of the process early.

Read more:

A payout alone doesn't guarantee security. Learn what a post-claim financial strategy covers and why it matters for claimants and families.

14/07/2026

Many parents want to leave something behind for a child on the Disability Support Pension. What often gets missed is that a direct inheritance can affect the very pension it was meant to support.

In our latest guide, we look at how a direct inheritance, a testamentary trust and a Special Disability Trust are generally treated differently by Centrelink, why the will and the financial plan need to work together, and what to consider if a child may lack capacity to manage money.

If you're updating a will or planning ahead for a family member on DSP, this is worth a read before anything is finalised.

Read the guide:

Leaving an inheritance to a child on DSP can affect their pension. Learn how SDTs, testamentary trusts and Centrelink rules may apply to your family.

14/07/2026

A TPD payout can feel like the hardest part is over. But the first 30 days after approval are not the time to rush big decisions.
Our new guide walks through five moments newly approved claimants and their families should slow down on, from understanding your tax-free and taxable components, to checking Centrelink impacts, to giving investment decisions the time they need.

One detail worth checking early: a rule called the TPD tax-free uplift can increase your tax-free portion, but it is not applied automatically, and errors in your dates can affect the result.
Read the full guide, and try our TPD Tax Calculator to get a starting estimate.

What not to rush in the first 30 days after a TPD payout. A practical framework for newly approved claimants making early decisions.

07/07/2026

A new financial year is underway, and there's plenty to unpack. Tax cuts have landed in pay packets, home values fell again in June, and Wall Street just closed out its best first half since 1991, largely on the back of AI and data centre investment.
Here's what it all means for your plan:

AI and data centre investment is fuelling this new financial year's Wall Street rally. See what it means for tax cuts and home values.

06/07/2026

A TPD claim rarely affects one person only.

When an adult child becomes chronically ill or disabled, the financial impact can move quietly through the whole family. Parents keep helping, retirement gets delayed, Centrelink decisions become more important, and estate planning can suddenly carry much more weight.

This article looks at why TPD planning often needs an intergenerational lens, especially when parents are supporting an adult child while also trying to protect their own retirement.

It covers TPD claims, superannuation access, Centrelink, Rent Assistance, gifting, estate planning and why these decisions should be planned together, not one at a time.

If your family is supporting someone through illness, disability or a TPD claim, it may be worth stepping back and looking at the whole family plan before decisions are made.

General information only. Seek specialist advice for your circumstances.

Read the article here:

Intergenerational TPD planning helps families coordinate TPD claims, Centrelink, super and estate planning across generations.

29/06/2026

Settlement day feels like the finish line. But for many Australians, the financial decisions that follow can be just as important as the legal outcome.

Centrelink preclusion periods, cashflow planning, superannuation options, unclaimed TPD insurance inside super. These are the issues that often surface after the money arrives, and most people don't see them coming.

Our latest guide explains what claimants, families and compensation lawyers should know about the gap between the legal win and long-term financial stability.

Financial advice after compensation settlement covers Centrelink, tax, super, cashflow and insurance decisions. A guide for claimants, families and compensation lawyers.

23/06/2026

What happens when you want to leave money for someone you love, but you’re worried it could affect their disability support?

For many families, planning for the future of a person with disability is not simple. There may be care needs, Centrelink rules, estate planning, tax, housing, family dynamics and long-term financial security to think about.

A Special Disability Trust can be one option to help meet those goals, but it is not the only one. Every situation is unique, and the right structure matters.

We’ve put together answers to some of the common questions families ask about Special Disability Trusts, including what they are, who they may suit, what they can pay for, and why good advice is important from the start.

Read the article here:

Special Disability Trust questions answered by HFI: eligibility, Centrelink impact, trustee rules and current 2025/26 thresholds.

23/06/2026

Received a TPD payout?

Before making decisions about the money, it is worth checking what may apply.

Tax, Centrelink, super, debt, cash flow and long-term planning can all affect the outcome.

Use the HFI TPD Tax Calculator as a starting point, then speak with an adviser about your situation.

General information only.

https://healthfinance.com.au/our-services/tpd-tax-calculator/

23/06/2026

The RBA has paused rates, but the signal is not “everything is settled”.

Inflation is still being watched closely, markets are sending mixed messages, and the new financial year is about to bring changes for super, tax and household planning.

For many Australians, the important question is not just what the RBA did last week.

It is what these signals mean for your mortgage, super, investments, cashflow and confidence heading into the next financial year.

We have broken down the key points in our latest HFI update.

Read the full article here:
https://healthfinance.com.au/rba-rate-pause-inflation-market-signals-june-2026/

General information only.

The RBA rate pause gives households breathing room, but inflation, cautious spending and market signals still matter as the new financial year begins.