Bolton Clarke

What Bolton Clarke does

Bolton Clarke is Australia's largest independent not-for-profit aged care provider, tracing its heritage to 1885 through the Melbourne District Nursing Society. The company was formed by the 2017 merger of RSL Care Queensland and Royal District Nursing Service Victoria and currently operates with 5,001-10,000 employees under the legal entity RSL Care RDNS Limited (Queensland, Australia). It delivers an integrated continuum of care across three core service lines: Home and Community Support (flexible in-home nursing, assistance, and allied health), Retirement Living (independent to low-care communities across QLD, NSW, SA, VIC, and WA), and Residential Aged Care (medium to high-care with 24/7 registered nursing). Specialized programs span dementia support, palliative care, veterans support, HIV programs, homeless persons services, and disability/younger-person programs, augmented by Bolton Clarke InTouch (personal alert system), Be Healthy and Active (wellbeing program), Digital Talking Books, and remote allied health services.

The company operates a technology-enabled care platform that includes remote monitoring, digital communication tools, health data management, and recently launched a world-first roll-out of Auracast next-generation Bluetooth audio technology in retirement living. Research and development is consolidated in the Bolton Clarke Research Institute, which holds active partnerships with the University of Queensland, Monash University, and ARIIA, the latter funding a $2 million Flagship Project Grant for wound care data innovation in 2025.

Bolton Clarke's revenue model is dominated by Australian government funding streams (Home Care Packages, Commonwealth Home Support Program, residential aged care subsidies) with supplementary revenue from residential aged care resident fees, retirement living entry contributions, private pay services for unfunded customers, the for-profit Altura Learning training business (Australia, UK, Ireland, New Zealand), and charitable donations. The go-to-market is multi-channel: direct-to-consumer via phone (1300 22 11 22), website referral forms, and physical community hubs; referral-led through GP and hospital networks; and community-led through digital literacy programs, events, and partnerships. International operations include RDNS New Zealand (wholly owned since 2009) and Altura Learning (acquired January 2017). Leadership transitioned in 2025 with Olivier Chretien appointed Group CEO on 1 July 2025 and Dr Carly Molloy appointed Head of Research.

Name

Bolton Clarke

Legal name

RSL Care RDNS Limited, Royal District Nursing Service Limited and RDNS HomeCare Limited

Website

https://boltonclarke.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1885

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Bolton Clarke is Australia's largest independent not-for-profit aged care provider, offering home and community support, retirement living, and residential aged care services to older Australians across five states, supplemented by international training and NZ home health subsidiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aged Care Services

NAICS

Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (623312), Home Health Care Services (62161), Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (62331), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Assisted Living with Enhanced Care / High-Acuity (Aging-in-Place) (HLADABAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

In-Home Dementia Care Services (Specialized Personal Care) (HLADACAI), Housing & Placement Coordination (Assisted Living, Memory Care, SNF) (HSABAIAL), Live-In Care (Single Caregiver, 24-Hour Presence) (HSABAHAB), Caregiver Support, Coaching & Training (HLADALAG), Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF)

Keywords

• Aged care services
• Residential aged care
• Retirement living communities
• Home and community support
• Dementia and palliative care

Headquarters

HQ city

Kelvin Grove

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funded Aged Care: Revenue from Australian government-funded programs including Home Care Packages, Commonwealth Home Support Program, and residential aged care subsidies. These are recurring revenues tied to government policy and package allocations.
2. Residential Aged Care Fees: Accommodation payments and daily care fees from residents in residential aged care facilities.
3. Retirement Living: Revenue from retirement village communities including entry contributions and ongoing fees.
4. Private Pay Services: Fee-for-service home care for unfunded customers who do not have government package allocations.
5. Altura Learning: For-profit training and education business operating in Australia, UK, Ireland, and New Zealand.
6. Donations and Bequests: Charitable donations from supporters to fund vital care services for older Australians.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Bolton Clarke delivers a continuum of aged care services in Australia, spanning Home and Community Support (in-home nursing, personal assistance, and allied health under programs like Support at Home and the Commonwealth Home Support Program), Retirement Living communities (independent to low-care), and Residential Aged Care (medium to high-care with 24/7 registered nursing). The offering is enhanced by specialist programs in dementia, palliative, and respite care, the Bolton Clarke InTouch digital alert system, the Be Healthy and Active wellness program, and the Bolton Clarke Research Institute. International subsidiaries include RDNS New Zealand and the Altura Learning training platform operating in Australia, the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand.

Product overview

Bolton Clarke operates as a unified aged care platform offering three core integrated services: Home and Community Support (flexible in-home nursing, assistance, and allied health), Retirement Living (independent to low-care community living), and Residential Aged Care (medium to high-care with 24/7 nursing). The portfolio is enhanced by specialized programs including Bolton Clarke InTouch (emergency alert system), Be Healthy and Active (wellbeing program), and the Bolton Clarke Research Institute. The company also holds international operations through RDNS New Zealand and Altura Learning (acquired brands). The offering functions as a single integrated care ecosystem where services can be accessed individually or combined as care needs evolve.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RDNS New Zealand: Not-for-profit provider of home-based healthcare solutions in New Zealand, operating since 2009.
• Altura Learning

Products and services

• Home and Community Support Flexible in-home care services covering home nursing, home assistance, and allied health. Includes the Support at Home program, Commonwealth Home Support Program, and post-hospital care for older Australians wishing to remain independent in their homes.
• Retirement Living Independent to low care needs retirement communities across Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, and Western Australia. Affordably priced lifestyle options designed to support wellbeing, interests, and happiness.
• Residential Aged Care Residential aged care for medium to high care needs with individualised care in welcoming and safe communities, with a registered nurse on duty 24/7.
• Bolton Clarke InTouch All-in-one personal alert and digital independence system enabling older people to remain independent while staying connected to immediate help any time needed.
• Be Healthy and Active Free health and wellbeing program providing practical advice, strategies, recipes, and sessions to help older people live and age positively, including a diabetes education series.
• Specialist Dementia Support Specialised support services for people living with dementia and their carers, including care planning, cognitive support programs, and individualised support.
• Respite Care Short-term care services providing relief for family carers supporting older people to live well at home.
• Palliative Care End-of-life care services supporting people with life-limiting illnesses and their families.
• Homeless Persons Program Specialised program providing care and support for older people experiencing homelessness, including healthcare access, accommodation, social support, and rehousing assistance.
• Veterans Support Support services for Australian veterans, including the Homeless Persons Program, veterans support services, and the Veteran Family Mental Wellbeing Series educational videos.
• RDNS New Zealand Not-for-profit home-based healthcare solutions provider operating in New Zealand since 2009. A wholly owned Bolton Clarke Group company.
• Altura Learning For-profit learning and training organisation for the aged care sector, operating in Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, and New Zealand.
• Digital Talking Books Audio books covering dementia, medicines, and diabetes available in multiple languages to support health literacy for diverse populations.

Quantifiable outcome

• World first Auracast Bluetooth audio technology roll-out expected to benefit up to 50% of residents affected by hearing loss
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Mackay Community FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026Funded digital literacy initiative to help Mackay seniors stay safe online. Bolton Clarke's digital literacy team delivers targeted training to help older people engage and stay safe online.
• ReforestminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Partnership with Brisbane-based social enterprise contributing to restoration of one of Queensland's most endangered forest ecosystems. Bolton Clarke retirement living has expanded its support with a new sustainability initiative.
• Containers for ChangeminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Queensland-first retirement village partnership enabling residents to participate in container recycling scheme. Residents and guests can exchange containers for refunds to support community initiatives.
• Diabetes AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Collaboration to deliver new diabetes education session as part of Bolton Clarke's free Be Healthy and Active wellbeing series, expanding health education offerings.
• Taronga ZoominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership with Taronga Zoo's Youth at the Zoo (YATZ) program connecting aged care residents with younger generations through educational luncheons and activities.
• Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Research partnership receiving $2 million 2025 Flagship Project Grant to fund data innovation for better wound care through Bolton Clarke's research initiative.
• University of QueenslandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Research collaboration with university researchers studying vision impairment and environmental changes to support independence for retirement village residents.
• Monash UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Joint research with Monash University researchers finding that targeted health interventions are critical to addressing loneliness in retirement villages.
• Harcourts FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Funding from Harcourts Foundation provided mobile phones to help around 20 older people sleeping rough on the Mornington Peninsula connect with family, friends and services.
• Australian Association of GerontologyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership for presenting research at AAG Conference in Alice Springs with Bolton Clarke Research Institute presenting on 11 topics.
• Altura LearningcoreOthers · 1 January 2017Acquired by Bolton Clarke Group in January 2017 to augment existing educational capacity and support service streams. Originally launched as Aged Care Channel in Australia (2003) and UK (2009). Now operates in Australia, UK, Ireland, and New Zealand as a for-profit entity.
• RDNS New ZealandcoreOthers · 1 January 2009RDNS New Zealand is a Bolton Clarke Group company operating since 2009 as a not-for-profit provider of home-based healthcare solutions. Closely aligns with the charitable purposes of Bolton Clarke Australian entities and provides opportunity to apply learnings from disability services and decentralized aged care market.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Estia Health: ASX-listed residential aged care operator with homes across multiple Australian states. Directly comparable on residential aged care service, government funding dependence, and labor-intensive cost structure.
• Bupa Australia: One of Australia's largest private health insurers and a major operator of residential aged care and retirement living. Directly competes with Bolton Clarke for residents, government Home Care Packages, and clinical staff across multiple states.
• Uniting (UnitingCare Ageing): Major NFP provider of aged care, retirement living, and home care across NSW and the ACT. Directly comparable as a multi-service NFP aged care competitor with similar government funding base and continuum-of-care positioning.
• Catholic Healthcare: Large not-for-profit aged care provider offering residential, home care, and retirement living across Australia, primarily in NSW and QLD. Closely comparable as a mission-aligned NFP competitor with similar service breadth and government funding reliance.
• Silver Chain Group: Large NFP provider of in-home aged care, health, and community services across Australia. Directly comparable to Bolton Clarke's Home and Community Support service line, including government-funded home care packages.
• Regis Healthcare: ASX-listed residential aged care provider operating ~60+ homes across Australia. Comparable on government-funded residential aged care service offering, regulatory exposure under the Aged Care Act, and acquisition-driven growth strategy.
• Opal HealthCare: One of Australia's largest residential aged care providers with ~80+ homes nationally. Closely comparable on core residential aged care service, government funding reliance, and multi-state footprint, though for-profit and Bolton Clarke's primary direct competitor in the residential segment.
• Anglicare Australia: Federated NFP network of aged care, community, and social services providers across Australia. Overlaps with Bolton Clarke on residential aged care, home care, and community programs for older Australians.
• Mercy Health: Catholic NFP operating residential aged care, home care, and retirement living across Victoria, NSW, and other states. Comparable as a values-based NFP competitor with similar service breadth and government package reliance.

Regional players

• Royal Freemasons of Victoria: NFP residential aged care and retirement living operator primarily in Victoria. Comparable on service model and NFP positioning, though smaller and geographically narrower than Bolton Clarke.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Bolton Clarke