Afford
Afford is a not-for-profit Australian disability services organization, founded 1951 and headquartered in Parramatta, NSW. It delivers NDIS-funded accommodation, community, employment, and in-home support to 2,100+ people with disability across NSW, QLD, VIC, and SA.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1951
- HeadquartersSydney, Australia
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Afford does
Afford (legal name: Australian Foundation for Disability) is a not-for-profit disability support services organization founded in 1951 and headquartered in Parramatta, NSW, Australia. The organization provides disability accommodation services (Supported Independent Living, Specialist Disability Accommodation, Short and Medium Term Accommodation, and Individualised Living Options), community and lifestyle support programs (including the Explore activity program), employment services (Inclusive Employment Australia, Youth Employment Coaching, and the Australian Disability Enterprise factory), in-home support, and NDIS support coordination to people with disability, their families, and carers across New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia.
Afford operates as a fully registered NDIS provider, generating the majority of its revenue from government-funded NDIS plans covering core supports (daily living), capacity building (community participation and skills), and capital supports (accommodation). A secondary commercial revenue stream comes from Business Services — packaging, shrink wrapping, bundle wrapping, pick and pack fulfilment, and bulk mail-out services delivered through the Australian Disability Enterprise factory in Ingleburn, NSW, which employs people with disability. The organization also offers self-funded service options for individuals without NDIS packages. Service access is delivered through a multi-channel GTM motion including NDIS support coordinator referrals, a phone intake line (1800 233 673), online inquiry forms, and walk-in service locations across its four-state footprint.
The organization supports 2,100+ clients, reports an 80% workplace confidence rate for employment clients, and has secured the government-funded Inclusive Employment Australia program from November 2025. Core technology is an NDIS service delivery platform with no public API, no proprietary AI features, and no disclosed data flywheel. CEO Joanne Toohey, who joined in October 2021 and led a major transformation program, is set to depart on 8 May 2026.
Afford firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Afford
- Legal name
- Australian Foundation for Disability
- Website
- https://afford.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1951
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Afford is a not-for-profit Australian disability services organization, founded 1951 and headquartered in Parramatta, NSW. It delivers NDIS-funded accommodation, community, employment, and in-home support to 2,100+ people with disability across NSW, QLD, VIC, and SA.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Afford industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability Support Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Individual and Family Services (6241), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG), Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM)
Keywords
Where Afford is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sydney
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices2 records
Markets served
Afford business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- NDIS Government Funding: Primary revenue stream from government-funded NDIS plans covering accommodation (SIL, SDA, STA/MTA, ILO), community support, and employment services for people with disability.
- Business Services (Packaging Solutions): Commercial packaging, shrink wrapping, bundle wrapping, pick & pack fulfilment, and bulk mail-out services provided at the Sydney-based factory, creating employment for people with disability.
- Self-Funded Services: Services paid directly by individuals without NDIS funding, providing flexibility for those who want to access supports without government-approved funding packages.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | NDIS-funded services covered under participant plans |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Afford product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Afford is a not-for-profit Australian disability support organization that delivers NDIS-funded accommodation (Supported Independent Living, Specialist Disability Accommodation, Short/Medium Term Accommodation, Individualised Living Options), community and lifestyle programs (Explore, drop-in support), employment services (Inclusive Employment Australia, Youth Employment Coaching, Australian Disability Enterprise), in-home support, and NDIS support coordination. The organization also operates a commercial Business Services arm providing packaging and fulfilment through ADE, employing people with disability across NSW, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria.
Product overview
Afford is a not-for-profit disability support services organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of services under its core brand. The main offerings include disability accommodation services (SIL, SDA, STA/MTA, and ILO housing options), community and lifestyle programs (Explore activity program, drop-in support), employment services (Inclusive Employment Australia, Youth Employment Coaching, ADE supported employment), in-home support, and NDIS support coordination. The organization also operates a commercial Business Services division providing packaging and fulfilment solutions through its Australian Disability Enterprise. Services are delivered across New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria, with some programs available nationally. Afford operates as a fully registered NDIS provider.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA): Employment support program for people with disability seeking meaningful employment
- Youth Employment Coaching
- Explore
- Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE)
Products and services
- Supported Independent Living (SIL) NDIS-funded support package that enables people with disability to live independently, either with others or on their own, including help with daily tasks such as cooking, cleaning, personal care, and community participation.
- Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Specialised housing for people with disability who require very high levels of support, including Improved Liveability properties and high physical support accommodations, with current SDA homes located in Penrith, NSW.
- Short and Medium Term Accommodation (STA/MTA) Temporary housing including respite care (STA) for short stays and transitional accommodation (MTA) for people waiting for long-term housing or NDIS funding, available across NSW, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria.
- Individualised Living Options (ILO) Flexible NDIS support that lets participants choose where they live, how they live, and who they live with, offering tailored support for living independently on their own, with housemates, a host family or friends.
- In-Home Support Support delivered in clients' homes that assists with daily living tasks, household chores, errands and personal care to promote independence, typically funded under NDIS Assistance with Daily Life.
- Explore Community Activity Program A fully customisable community activity program offering flexible support for activities including movie clubs, bowling, swimming, social events, travel training and bushwalking, available across NSW, Queensland, South Australia and Victoria.
- Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) Personalised employment support program that helps people with disability pursue meaningful and sustainable careers, replacing the previous DES program from November 2025 and funded as a core government partnership with NDIS.
- Youth Employment Coaching Employment coaching program for young people aged 25 and under, supporting career development, skills building and pathways into sustainable employment.
- Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE) Supported Employment Supported employment services provided through Afford's Australian Disability Enterprise at its Ingleburn, NSW factory, employing people with disability in packaging, shrink wrapping, bundle wrapping, pick & pack and bulk mail-out activities.
- NDIS Support Coordination Support coordination services that help clients maximise their NDIS plans by connecting them with appropriate services and supports aligned to their goals and lifestyle.
- Business Services (Packaging Solutions) Commercial packaging and fulfilment services provided by Afford's Australian Disability Enterprise, including packaging solutions, shrink wrapping, bundle wrapping, pick & pack fulfilment and bulk mail-outs from the Sydney-based Ingleburn factory.
Quantifiable outcome
- 80% workplace confidence rate for employment clients
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Afford
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Afford technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Afford partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Brimbank City CouncilminorPartnership through the Local Jobs Local People Program to deliver the Unshakable Confidence session, supporting participants to develop foundational skills for sustainable employment outcomes aligned with NDIS reforms.
- Model MatesminorInclusive modelling agency partnership delivering a three-day modelling intensive designed to empower people with disability to step confidently into the world of fashion, media, and advertising. Part of Afford's commitment to inclusive opportunities.
- NDIScoreGovernment partnership to deliver Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) program from November 2025, replacing DES. Core government-funded service delivery relationship.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Afford competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Northcott: NSW-based NFP providing disability accommodation, therapy, and recreation services. Direct peer to Afford in the NDIS accommodation and community participation segments with overlapping customer segments.
- Multicap: Queensland-based disability NFP operating accommodation, respite, and supported employment services. Comparable to Afford across NDIS service lines with overlapping presence in QLD and national reach.
- Cerebral Palsy Alliance: Major NFP disability provider in NSW and beyond, offering accommodation, therapy, and employment services. Comparable to Afford in NDIS-funded service breadth and NFP structure, with overlap in NSW market.
- Yooralla: One of Victoria's largest disability service providers offering accommodation, therapy, and community support. Overlaps with Afford's service portfolio with a strong Victorian presence, directly competing for NDIS participants.
- Life Without Barriers: One of Australia's largest not-for-profit disability and community services providers offering accommodation, employment, and community support across NDIS. Directly comparable to Afford in service mix, geographic breadth across multiple states, and NFP model.
- Ability First Australia: National peak body representing Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs), of which Afford's ADE subsidiary is a member. Comparable as the broader ADE ecosystem encompassing supported employment businesses similar to Afford's packaging operations.
- Aruma (formerly House with No Steps and Autism CRC): Large national NDIS-registered disability provider offering accommodation, employment, and community participation services. Comparable to Afford across the full NDIS service spectrum and target population of people with disability.
- Sunnyfield: Australian not-for-profit providing disability accommodation, supported independent living, and community participation services. Direct competitor to Afford in SIL/SDA and community programs with similar NFP positioning.
Emerging players
- Mable Technologies: Technology-enabled marketplace connecting NDIS participants with independent support workers. Competes indirectly with Afford by enabling self-direction of NDIS plans, threatening traditional provider models with platform-based alternatives.
- Hireup: Online platform matching people with disability to support workers in Australia. An emerging digital alternative to traditional NDIS providers like Afford, capturing share among self-managing participants.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Afford social profiles
Digital presenceAfford financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Afford leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Afford subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Afford funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Afford M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Afford
What does Afford do?
Afford is a not-for-profit Australian disability support organization that delivers NDIS-funded accommodation (Supported Independent Living, Specialist Disability Accommodation, Short/Medium Term Accommodation, Individualised Living Options), community and lifestyle programs (Explore, drop-in support), employment services (Inclusive Employment Australia, Youth Employment Coaching, Australian Disability Enterprise), in-home support, and NDIS support coordination. The organization also operates a commercial Business Services arm providing packaging and fulfilment through ADE, employing people with disability across NSW, Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria.
Is Afford a public or private company?
Afford is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Afford founded?
Afford was founded in 1951. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Afford based?
Afford is headquartered in Sydney, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Afford make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. NDIS Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are business Services (Packaging Solutions) and self-Funded Services.
Who are Afford's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Northcott, Multicap, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Yooralla, Life Without Barriers, Ability First Australia, Aruma (formerly House with No Steps and Autism CRC) and Sunnyfield. Emerging players are Mable Technologies and Hireup.
Does Afford have an API?
No public API is recorded for Afford.
What industry is Afford in?
Afford's product category is Disability Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support. Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8300.