Odyssey House NSW providing treatment for alcohol and other drug addiction.

What Odyssey House NSW providing treatment for alcohol and other drug addiction. does

Odyssey House NSW is a not-for-profit, registered charity operating as a public company limited by guarantee, founded in Sydney in 1977 by Walter McGrath after bringing the therapeutic-community model of long-term residential rehabilitation from the United States. Headquartered in Redfern with residential sites at Eagle Vale and Ingleburn, the organisation provides alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment to individuals, families and communities across New South Wales, supported by eight community hubs spanning Redfern, Blacktown, Campbelltown, Hornsby, Liverpool, Penrith and Singleton plus a Hunter Valley community program launched in 2024. Its therapeutic-community model integrates structured clinical therapy with everyday activities such as cooking, vocational training and peer-resident role-modelling, and is delivered alongside specialist streams including medically supervised withdrawal, Odyssey College (NESA-aligned on-site education and vocational certifications), the Family Recovery Centre (parents with children aged 0–12), Mingu Yabun (First Nations cultural program), Multicultural Programs delivered in 20+ languages, the MERIT criminal-justice pathway, and Community Drug Action Teams (70+ CDATs across NSW led by Odyssey as consortium lead).

The portfolio is anchored by a live-in Residential Program available in 9-month and 12-week formats, complemented by the Medical & Withdrawal Unit (24/7 nursing-supported detox with a $250 admissions fee), Individual Counselling, Recovery Groups, Parenting Programs, Family and Friends Support, and partnerships in the Medicare Mental Health Centre at Campbelltown with Grand Pacific Health, Relationships Australia, Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation and the South Western Sydney Primary Health Network. Odyssey has supported more than 50,000 people over five decades, with 3,617 clients in 2025, 7,900 enquiries in the most recent 12-month period (the highest annual figure on record), and reported social value exceeding $4 million per $1 million spent. A team of around 130 delivers services under governance by a board chaired by Adjunct Professor Debora Picone AO.

The business model is a hybrid government-funded and philanthropic NFP: core residential and community programs are funded primarily through NSW Health, the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (including MERIT), the South Western Sydney Primary Health Network, and Corrective Services NSW contracts; residential clients contribute 80% of their Centrelink benefit; and supplementary revenue comes from philanthropic donations, workplace giving via Benevity and Good2Give, fundraising events (notably the annual Odyssey Women's Lunch at the Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park), and gifts in wills. Marketing and intake are predominantly referral-led through a centralised 1800 number, GP/clinician and self-referrals, walk-in community hubs, and community outreach through the CDAT network.

Name

Odyssey House NSW providing treatment for alcohol and other drug addiction.

Legal name

Odyssey House NSW

Website

https://odysseyhouse.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Odyssey House NSW is a not-for-profit, registered charity founded in 1977 that provides alcohol and other drug rehabilitation, including residential programs, detox, family-inclusive recovery, multicultural and First Nations services across New South Wales, funded primarily through government contracts and philanthropy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (62322), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (6232), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Skilled Nursing Care Facilities (8051)

akta.pro primary industry

Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN), Substance Use Prevention & Recovery Services (EDALAFAE)

Keywords

• Addiction rehabilitation services
• Alcohol drug treatment
• Therapeutic community programs
• Residential recovery programs
• Culturally diverse support

Headquarters

HQ city

Sydney

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Services: Core residential and community programs are primarily funded through government contracts and subsidies. The organization receives funding from NSW Health and other government sources to provide alcohol and other drug treatment services.
2. Client Contributions: Residential Program clients contribute a portion of their Centrelink benefit towards program costs. This low-cost model makes treatment accessible to everyone, differentiating from private facilities.
3. Withdrawal Unit Fees: $250 admissions fee for the Medical and Withdrawal Unit (detox). No other charges. Medicare card required.
4. Donations and Philanthropy: The organization actively fundraises through donations, events (Women's Lunch, Open Day), workplace giving, major gifts, and gifts in wills. Capital campaigns for renovation projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Odyssey House NSW delivers residential and community-based alcohol and other drug rehabilitation programs using a Therapeutic Community Model that integrates structured therapy with everyday activities such as cooking, house duties, exercise and vocational training. Core offerings include a 9-month or 12-week live-in Residential Program at Eagle Vale and Ingleburn, a 24/7 Medical & Withdrawal Unit for medically supervised detox, the Family Recovery Centre enabling parents to live with children aged 0-12 during treatment, Odyssey College providing NESA-aligned and vocational education, and community programs including individual counselling, recovery groups, parenting programs, the Mingu Yabun First Nations program, multicultural services in 20+ languages, MERIT criminal justice support, and Family and Friends support.

Product overview

Odyssey House NSW operates as a not-for-profit alcohol and other drug rehabilitation service offering a portfolio of integrated residential and community-based programs. The residential arm comprises the core Residential Program (9-month or 12-week options) at Eagle Vale and Ingleburn sites, supplemented by the Medical & Withdrawal Unit for detox, the Family Recovery Centre for parents with children, and Odyssey College for vocational education. Community Programs include Individual Counselling, Recovery Groups (AOD and SMART recovery), Parenting Programs, Mingu Yabun (First Nations), Multicultural Programs (20+ languages), Criminal Justice Support (including MERIT), Community Drug Action Teams, and Family and Friends Support. The programs follow a therapeutic community model and are delivered at no or low cost to clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Mingu Yabun: A specialised, culturally appropriate support program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples combining clinical treatment approaches with cultural practices including group activities such as yarning circles, narrative therapy, storytelling, art and craft, Dreamtime stories and meditation practice 'dadirri'.
• Family Recovery Centre

Products and services

• Residential Program Live-in residential treatment program offering personalised recovery support in a safe, structured therapeutic community environment. Delivered at Eagle Vale and Ingleburn sites with 24/7 staff support, counselling, and vocational training. Available as a 9-month or 12-week program. Residential clients contribute 80% of their Centrelink benefit towards program costs.
• Medical & Withdrawal Unit Medically supervised withdrawal (detox) unit at the Ingleburn site providing 24/7 nursing support to safely manage withdrawal symptoms. Typically 2-5 days duration, serving as the first step of residential recovery. $250 admissions fee applies; Medicare card required.
• Family Recovery Centre Purpose-built family-friendly residential centre in Eagle Vale enabling single parents, couples and pregnant women to live with their children (aged 0-12) during recovery. Provides parenting guidance, childcare coordination and family case management alongside standard residential treatment. Houses up to 16 families at a time.
• Odyssey College Free on-site education service for residential clients offering NESA-aligned curriculum (English, mathematics, computing, arts, PDHPE) and vocational training including forklift licenses, traffic control and white card certifications. Provides job-readiness skills and career support to prepare residents for workforce re-entry.
• Individual Counselling Free confidential one-on-one counselling with alcohol and other drug specialists, available in-person at community hubs, online or over the phone. Delivered at Redfern, Campbelltown, Liverpool, Blacktown, Hornsby, Penrith and Singleton.
• Recovery Groups Regular peer support groups including AOD recovery groups (Stage 1-3), SMART recovery, mental health recovery groups and psychoeducation programs. Offered at community hubs and online to help clients develop coping strategies and prevent relapse.
• Parenting Programs Evidence-based parenting programs including Circle of Security, Bringing Up Great Kids, and 1-2-3 Magic. Offered in group or individual settings to help parents build confidence and strengthen family connections during recovery.
• Mingu Yabun (First Nations Program) Culturally appropriate support program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples combining clinical treatment with cultural practices including yarning circles, narrative therapy, storytelling, traditional arts and craft, Dreamtime stories and the meditation practice dadirri. Delivered by First Nations workers.
• Multicultural Programs Alcohol and other drug support for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities delivered in over 20 languages. Includes individual counselling, the Transitions Program (prison re-entry support), community development, family support and referral services. Originated from the Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre (DAMEC) which transitioned to Odyssey in 2022.
• Criminal Justice Support (MERIT) Magistrates Early Referral Into Treatment (MERIT) program - a 12-week voluntary treatment program delivered at Waverley Local Court for people facing local court charges. Includes post-custodial support, community corrections reintegration and First Nations group support. Funded by NSW Department of Communities and Justice.
• Community Drug Action Teams (CDAT) Community-led initiative managed by Odyssey as lead agency in a consortium with partners including The Butter, Karralika, Your Room and Bila Muuji. Over 70 CDATs across NSW deliver targeted health promotion and harm reduction strategies through collaboration with schools, health services, law enforcement and community organisations.
• Family and Friends Support Free counselling and group support for family members and friends impacted by a loved one's alcohol or other drug dependence. Provides guidance on setting boundaries, communication techniques, self-care strategies and understanding the recovery process.
• Detox Admissions (Milton Luger Detoxification Unit) Entry-point admissions into Odyssey's 24/7 medically supervised withdrawal services. Requires Medicare card and a $250 admissions fee with no further costs. Won the National Drug and Alcohol Award for outstanding success rates in 2005.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 50,000 people helped over five decades
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• The ButterminorOthersPartner in Community Drug Action Teams (CDAT) consortium. The Butter is one of several organizations working collaboratively with schools, health services, law enforcement, and community organisations to address alcohol and other drugs issues across NSW.
• KarralikaminorOthersPartner in Community Drug Action Teams (CDAT) consortium managing the CDAT program across NSW.
• Your RoomminorOthersPartner in Community Drug Action Teams (CDAT) consortium. Your Room provides alcohol and drug information resources.
• Bila MuujiminorOthersPartner in Community Drug Action Teams (CDAT) consortium supporting Aboriginal communities across NSW.
• Grand Pacific HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Medicare Mental Health Centre in Campbelltown. Odyssey joined Grand Pacific Health, Relationships Australia, and Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation to celebrate the opening of the new centre providing walk-in support for mental health needs with no referral required. Funded by South Western Sydney Primary Health Network (SWSPHN).
• Relationships AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Medicare Mental Health Centre in Campbelltown providing walk-in mental health support services.
• Tharawal Aboriginal CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Medicare Mental Health Centre in Campbelltown providing culturally appropriate walk-in mental health support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• LifelineminorOthersCrisis support partner. Odyssey refers individuals in immediate danger or needing urgent help to contact 000 and recommends Lifeline (13 11 14) for 24-hour crisis support.
• National Alcohol and Other Drugs HotlineminorOthersCrisis support partner. Referred to for confidential support for people struggling with addiction (1800 250 015).
• Reconciliation AustraliaminorOthersEndorsing body for Odyssey House NSW's Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The RAP is endorsed by Reconciliation Australia and provides a framework to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/OHNSW
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/odysseyhousensw
• Instagraminstagram.com/odysseyhousensw
• Xx.com/odysseyhousensw

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Odyssey House NSW providing treatment for alcohol and other drug addiction.