BackTrack

What BackTrack does

BackTrack Youth Works Ltd is a private nonprofit organization (company limited by guarantee, ABN 66 612 831 919) founded in 2006 by Bernie Shakeshaft in Armidale, New South Wales, to support vulnerable and at-risk young people aged 11–18 who are disengaged from mainstream education. The organization operates a holistic, multi-program model delivered through its Armidale headquarters (including the shed, classrooms, and the Warrah accommodation facility with a main house and four tiny homes), a permanent BackTrack Works operation in Tenterfield established in 2023, and the gifted Cubba Cubbah working farm acquired in 2022. Since inception, BackTrack has helped over 1,000 young people reconnect with education, training, families, and community.

The portfolio includes BackTrack Core (1:1 curriculum-aligned teaching, vocational training across agriculture, metalwork, woodwork, hospitality, and mechanics, delivered with local RTOs), BackTrack Works (a social enterprise established in 2018 delivering commercial services in agriculture, construction, fabrication, disaster recovery, and asset maintenance), the Paws Up dog program integrated into daily operations, the BackTrack Network (a peer-mentorship ecosystem of 8like-minded organizations across NSW and QLD), and the Night Crew pilot program (launched 2025 to divert overnight youth crime).

BackTrack's revenue model is dominated by donations and philanthropy (individuals, foundations such as Minderoo, Sony Foundation, MEHF Trust, N

Name

BackTrack

Legal name

BackTrack Youth Works Ltd

Website

https://backtrack.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

BackTrack is a nonprofit founded in 2006 in Armidale, NSW, that helps vulnerable and at-risk young people aged 11–18 reconnect with education, training, and community through holistic programs, a social enterprise, and supported accommodation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Services

NAICS

Educational Support Services (6117), Educational Support Services (611710), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Dropout Prevention, Alternative Education & Re-Engagement Nonprofits (BPAGADAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Alternative Education & Dropout Prevention / Re-Engagement Programs (EDANAJAF), Reentry & Justice-Involved Support Services (BPAGAEAN), Workforce Reentry Programs (Justice-Involved) (EDAAAOAG)

Keywords

• Youth support services
• At-risk youth programs
• Vocational training
• Social enterprise
• Disaster recovery services

Headquarters

HQ city

Armidale

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropy: BackTrack relies on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. The organization actively seeks donations through its website, newsletter, and direct outreach. Donations over $2 are tax deductible in Australia.
2. Social Enterprise (BackTrack Works): BackTrack Works delivers commercial services across agriculture, construction, fabrication, disaster recovery and asset maintenance. Revenue from these services helps fund operations while providing employment and training opportunities for young people.
3. BackTrack Foundation Endowment: Established in 2023, the BackTrack Foundation is an endowment fund aimed at long-term financial sustainability. It sits with Australian Communities Foundation as part of their Future Fund.
4. Bequests and Planned Giving: BackTrack accepts bequests through wills, allowing donors to leave gifts to support long-term operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

BackTrack is a nonprofit organization that provides holistic support, education, vocational training, accommodation, and employment pathways to vulnerable young people aged 11-18 who are disengaged from mainstream education in regional NSW and QLD, Australia. Its core service combines 1:1 curriculum-aligned teaching, hands-on vocational training across agriculture, construction, fabrication, and trades, supported accommodation at Warrah, and animal-assisted engagement through the Paws Up dog program, all delivered free of charge through a voluntary, long-term 'whatever it takes' engagement model. Revenue is generated through donations, philanthropy, grants, and the BackTrack Works social enterprise that delivers commercial services.

Product overview

BackTrack is a not-for-profit youth organization offering a multi-faceted, integrated approach to supporting vulnerable young people. The portfolio consists of the BackTrack Core program (core product) providing holistic youth work and education for 11-18 year olds; BackTrack Works (social enterprise) delivering commercial services that create employment pathways; the BackTrack Network (peer network) sharing methodology with like-minded organisations; and Paws Up (dog program) integral to daily operations. Additional support services include Accommodation (Warrah) with tiny homes, The Farm (Cubba Cubbah) for agricultural training, Night Crew crime reduction program, and documentary media content (BackTrack Boys and Chasing Dreams). The organization also operates BackTrack Foundation for long-term financial sustainability and disaster recovery services engaging youth in community relief work.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• BackTrack Core Core youth work and wellbeing program for 11-18 year olds who are disengaged from mainstream education. Provides literacy, numeracy, life skills, and employability training through 1:1 curriculum-aligned teaching and hands-on vocational training across agriculture, farming, horticulture, dog training, metalwork, woodwork, hospitality, and mechanics.
• BackTrack Works Social enterprise established in 2018 providing pathways for training and employment. Delivers commercial services across agriculture, construction, fabrication, disaster recovery, and asset maintenance. Provides accredited training, traineeships, and employment opportunities for young people.
• BackTrack Network Peer network of like-minded organisations established in 2018, operating across NSW and QLD. An online platform provides access to resources and the BackTrack methodology, enabling communities to set up or scale up their work with young people.
• Accommodation (Warrah) Safe accommodation for BackTrack kids in a supportive family atmosphere in Armidale. Includes a main house for fully supported living and four tiny homes for young people to build rental history and transition to independent living. Staffed by around-the-clock youth workers.
• The Farm (Cubba Cubbah) Working farm gifted to BackTrack in 2022, providing a place for extended family to feel belonging for generations to come. Serves as a training ground for young people to learn agricultural life, with long-term plans for land and habitat regeneration.
• Disaster Recovery Services BackTrack Works disaster recovery crews providing skilled, purposeful work during natural disasters. Engages at-risk youth in disaster relief and preparedness. Services include clearing debris, fence repair, and access way creation. Crews are self-sufficient with own catering and gear.
• BackTrack Foundation Endowment fund established in 2023 by the board to secure long-term financial sustainability. Built over time to preserve capital and create income to contribute to BackTrack operations. Sits with Australian Communities Foundation as part of their Future Fund.
• Paws Up Dog Program Dog program integral to daily operations, ensuring dogs are part of every day. Young people engage in regular dog jump events, cattle trials, and twice-weekly dog handling training. Includes Schools Outreach program where young people and dogs visit remote primary schools to read with younger children.
• Night Crew Program Groundbreaking 12-week pilot program launched in January 2025 that engages and diverts at-risk young people during overnight hours. Addresses immediate needs including transport to prevent bail breaches, meals, clothing, and mentorship to divert younger kids from destructive behaviours and crime.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 young people helped since 2006 reconnect with education, training, families and community
• +3 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Gotcha Park (Taree)minorOthersSupplier of Speckle Park cattle to BackTrack's Cubba Cubbah farm. When Taree floods hit, Gotcha Park was severely affected and BackTrack disaster crews helped with relief efforts, demonstrating mutual community support.
• Local Registered Training OrganisationscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBackTrack partners with local RTOs to deliver accredited training to young people. This includes vocational training across various disciplines including agriculture, construction, and trades.
• Armidale Neighbourhood WatchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with BackTrack in the Night Crew pilot program (2024) to address night-time youth crime in Armidale. Also involved Local Council and NSW Police in the initiative.
• NSW PoliceminorOthersCollaborated with BackTrack on the Night Crew pilot program addressing youth crime in Armidale.
• Armidale Local CouncilminorOthersPartnered with BackTrack on the Night Crew pilot program addressing youth crime in Armidale.
• BackTrack Network (8 founding organisations)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeer network of like-minded youth organizations operating across NSW and QLD since 2018. In 2024, evolved with both offline and online initiatives. Online platform provides access to resources and BackTrack methodology. Members support each other in helping young people.
• Joblink PlusminorOthersLocal employment services provider and supporter. Logo displayed on supporters page.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• OzChild: Australian nonprofit supporting vulnerable children, young people, and families through therapeutic, education, and care services. Comparable to BackTrack in trauma-informed, long-term engagement of at-risk youth.
• Jesuit Social Services: Australian social services organisation with strong programs in youth justice, education, and mental health, including the former Whitelion program. Comparable to BackTrack in justice-involved youth work and intensive engagement model.
• CREATE Foundation: National peak body for children and young people in out-of-home care, advocating and providing programs. Comparable to BackTrack in serving disengaged/vulnerable youth and youth-led program design.
• Melbourne City Mission: Victorian-based nonprofit providing youth services, education, and homelessness support including trauma-informed programs. Comparable to BackTrack in holistic youth-focused service model and target cohort.
• YSAS (Youth Support and Advocacy Service): Victorian specialist youth AOD, mental health, and wellbeing organisation. Comparable to BackTrack in serving complex-needs adolescents with wraparound, voluntary, outreach-based support.
• BoysTown (Australia): Australian charity supporting at-risk children, young people, and families through counselling, residential care, and training. Comparable to BackTrack in mission and youth-crisis intervention focus.
• The Smith Family: Large Australian children's education charity focused on disadvantaged youth and learning support. Comparable to BackTrack in serving at-risk young people through education and wraparound programs, though at much larger national scale.

Emerging players

• Headspace (National Youth Mental Health Foundation): Australian government-funded youth mental health service network for 12-25 year olds. Comparable to BackTrack in serving the same youth cohort, but with a more clinical, federally commissioned model rather than holistic education/employment focus.

Broad incumbents

• Salvation Army Australia: Major Australian charity providing youth accommodation, crisis services, and employment programs. Comparable to BackTrack in mission and youth homelessness focus, but operates at vastly larger scale with broader religious affiliation.
• Mission Australia: One of Australia's largest community services organisations serving disadvantaged people including homeless and at-risk youth. Comparable to BackTrack in mission and target population, with much broader geographic and service-line coverage.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BackTrackYouth
• LinkedInau.linkedin.com/company/backtrack-youthworks
• Instagraminstagram.com/backtrackyouthworks

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BackTrack