What We Help Ourselves does

We Help Ourselves (WHOS) is an Australian non-government, not-for-profit therapeutic organization founded in 1972 by concerned ex-consumers to help drug- and alcohol-dependent individuals find healthier lifestyle options. It is the first Therapeutic Community (TC) for drug and alcohol dependence in Australia and operates as one of the largest drug and alcohol NGO treatment providers in the country, with 13+ locations across New South Wales and Queensland and approximately 101-250 staff. The core model is the Therapeutic Community, in which residents and staff participate in the day-to-day management of the community to promote personal change, structured across TC (90-120 days), Transition, and Exit stages typically lasting 4-6 months overall.

WHOS operates a portfolio of drug-free residential TC programs (Gunyah for men, New Beginnings for women, Hunter Valley/Trevallion House, Najara on the Sunshine Coast, Mandala House), opioid-focused modified TC programs (OSTAR for reduction to abstinence, RTOD for stabilization), supported accommodation (WHOS WEST), and a network of day programs (Newcastle, Penrith Hub, Lilyfield, Hawkesbury, Nambour, Southern NSW). Programs incorporate Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and trauma-informed approaches and serve ~2,000 assessments and ~800 admissions per year, with ~130 residential beds concentrated at the Rozelle/Lilyfield Campus inside the heritage Broughton Hall precinct.

Revenue is derived primarily from State and Federal Australian government funding (NSW Ministry of Health via SLHD, SNSWLHD, and HNELHD; Commonwealth Department of Health; Queensland Health; Nepean Blue Mountains PHN), supplemented by sliding-scale client contributions as a percentage of Centrelink benefits (reducing after four months to food and accommodation only) and tax-deductible donations. GTM is sales-led via phone assessment, online Registration of Interest form, and formal referral pathways including self-referral, health-professional referral, and court referrals (MERIT, Drug Court). The organization holds dual ACHS EQuIP6 and ATCA Standard (2025) certification and is the only NGO opioid-dosing clinic in Australia.

Name

We Help Ourselves

Legal name

We Help Ourselves

Website

https://whos.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1972

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

We Help Ourselves (WHOS) is an Australian non-profit founded in 1972 that runs Therapeutic Community residential and day programs for alcohol and drug dependence recovery across 13+ locations in NSW and Queensland, serving roughly 800 admissions and 2,000 assessments annually, primarily funded by State and Federal governments.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Addiction Treatment Services (Therapeutic Community Rehabilitation)

NAICS

Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Other Individual and Family Services (62419)

SIC

Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Residential Substance Use Rehabilitation (Inpatient Rehab) (HLAFACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Outpatient Substance Use Treatment Programs (IOP/PHP/OP) (HLAFACAF), Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN), Outpatient Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Programs (HLAFABAD), Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services (BPAGACAE)

Keywords

• Therapeutic community treatment
• Drug rehabilitation services
• Alcohol recovery programs
• Residential addiction treatment
• Opioid substitution therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Rozelle

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices7 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 Funding: WHOS is primarily funded by State and Federal governments including NSW Ministry of Health (SLHD, SNSWLHD, HNELHD), Commonwealth Department of Health, and Queensland Health. This constitutes the majority of operational funding.
2. Client Contributions: Clients contribute a percentage of their Centrelink unemployment or welfare benefit for first 4 months. After 4 months, clients only contribute for food and accommodation. Savings plan is in place for residents to have funds available upon program completion.
3. Donations: Tax-deductible donations accepted via online (PayPal/Westpac), phone, or mail. Corporate support, bequests, and donations in kind also accepted.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

We Help Ourselves (WHOS) delivers therapeutic programs for recovery from alcohol and other drug dependence using the Therapeutic Community (TC) model of care. Offerings include drug-free residential TC programs (gender-specific and mixed gender), opioid substitution/modified TC programs for stabilisation and reduction to abstinence, non-residential day programs, supported accommodation, and assessment/referral/case management services across 13+ locations in NSW and Queensland.

Product overview

We Help Ourselves (WHOS) is a therapeutic organization offering a portfolio of residential and day programs based on the Therapeutic Community (TC) model of care for alcohol and other drug dependence recovery. The portfolio includes: (1) Drug-free residential TC programs for abstinence (Gunyah for men, New Beginnings for women, Hunter Valley TC, Najara Sunshine Coast, Mandala House); (2) Opioid substitution programs including RTOD for stabilization and OSTAR for opioid reduction to abstinence; (3) Supported accommodation via WHOS WEST; and (4) Multiple Day Programs (Newcastle, Penrith Hub, Lilyfield, Hawkesbury, Nambour, Southern NSW) offering non-residential group work, case management, and assessment/referral services. WHOS serves approximately 800 clients annually across NSW and Queensland with a TC stage of 90-120 days followed by transition and exit stages.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WHOS: Primary brand name for We Help Ourselves therapeutic community programs.

Products and services

• Gunyah Drug-free residential Therapeutic Community (TC) program for men in Sydney/Lilyfield, using the TC model where self-help and mutual support promote personal change. 4-6 month program with 12-30 capacity per facility.
• New Beginnings Drug-free residential Therapeutic Community program for women in Sydney/Lilyfield, providing a safe and secure environment with gender-specific programming including ACT-based approach, trauma-informed care, and parenting support.
• Hunter Valley TC (Trevallion House) Drug-free residential Therapeutic Community program for men and women in Cessnock, NSW (Hunter Valley region). 30-bed mixed gender program with 4-6 month duration, suitable for clients from regional areas. Includes aftercare supported accommodation.
• Najara (Sunshine Coast) Drug-free residential Therapeutic Community program for men and women in Nambour, Sunshine Coast, Queensland. 26-bed mixed gender program with 4-6 month duration. Includes aftercare supported accommodation.
• Mandala House Drug-free residential Therapeutic Community program for men and women in Goulburn, Southern NSW. 4-6 month residential program based on the TC model with separate men/women's accommodation.
• RTOD (Residential Treatment of Opioid Dependence) Modified Therapeutic Community offering residential treatment for stabilisation of opioid dependence. Provides on-site dosing (Methadone or Buprenorphine), 24-hour staffing, and harm reduction strategies for men and women.
• OSTAR (Opioid Substitution to Abstinence Residential) Residential Therapeutic Community designed to assist reduction off methadone/other opioids while learning skills necessary to eventually live drug free. Provides on-site dosing, 4-6 month voluntary program with aftercare support.
• WHOS WEST Supported accommodation program combining assessment and referral, transitional housing (6 beds in Penrith NSW) with 7 residential care beds at Rozelle Campus NSW. Provides referral pathway to other WHOS TC programs.
• Newcastle Day Program 6-week rotating day program for men and women on opioid substitution treatment (OST). Combines ACT-based group work with case management, offering breakfast and lunch on group work days, for clients seeking structured support while maintaining community integration.
• WHOS Penrith Hub Non-residential supported care offering comprehensive AOD assessment, referral services, structured group work, case management, and GP liaison services for individuals from the Nepean Blue Mountains region. Six-week rotating program format.
• Lilyfield Day Program Day program for individuals seeking support and treatment located in Lilyfield, Sydney.
• WHOS Hawkesbury Day Program Assessment, referral services and non-residential supported care for individuals with alcohol and other drug issues from the Hawkesbury Region, including structured group work and case management.
• Nambour Day Program Day program for people seeking support located in Nambour, Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
• Southern NSW Day Program Day program for individuals in the Southern NSW region, located in the Goulburn area.
• Transitional Residential Support Programs Post-program transitional housing services for clients completing TC programs, enabling semi-independent living while applying acquired skills in a supported environment.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2000+ assessments conducted annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (NADA)minorOthersNSW peak body for non-government alcohol and other drug organisations. WHOS is a member organization.
• Queensland Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (QNADA)minorOthersQueensland peak body for non-government alcohol and other drug organisations. WHOS is a member organization.
• Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA)coreOthersPeak association for Therapeutic Communities in Australia and New Zealand. WHOS Executive Director serves as Chair (ex officio past President). WHOS maintains ATCA Standard certification. Provides professional standards and industry advocacy.
• World Federation of Therapeutic Communities (WFTC)minorOthersInternational federation connecting Therapeutic Communities globally. WHOS is a member and Executive Director Garth Popple served on WFTC. WHOS hosts international study groups from Japan, Macau, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, and Thailand.
• International Federation of NGOs (IFNGO)minorOthersInternational federation of non-governmental organizations. WHOS Executive Director Garth Popple was elected President (2011-2013), lifting WHOS's international profile.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (NADA): NSW peak body for non-government AOD organisations of which WHOS is a member. Industry association comparable in that it shapes the funding and policy environment WHOS operates within.
• Australasian Therapeutic Communities Association (ATCA): Peak industry association for Therapeutic Communities across Australia and New Zealand. WHOS's Executive Director serves as Chair and WHOS holds ATCA Standard certification — directly comparable in defining the standards TC operators meet.

Direct peers

• Odyssey House NSW: Long-standing residential Therapeutic Community operator in NSW providing drug and alcohol rehabilitation using a TC model very similar to WHOS. Direct competitor for government AOD funding and residential admissions in the Sydney metropolitan area.
• Windana Drug and Alcohol Recovery: Victorian-based AOD treatment provider operating residential therapeutic communities and withdrawal services. Comparable on TC methodology, residential and day program offerings, and nonprofit, government-funded model.
• The Buttery: NSW and Queensland-based residential rehabilitation provider offering TC-style drug and alcohol recovery programs. Comparable on residential SUD treatment model, government funding reliance, and non-profit status.

Broad incumbents

• Uniting Recovery (Uniting Vic.Tas): Large community services organization operating AOD treatment programs across Victoria and Tasmania. Comparable on AOD residential and community-based service delivery, though broader in scope than WHOS.
• Turning Point (Eastern Health): National AOD treatment, research, and training center affiliated with Eastern Health. Comparable on AOD clinical services and government/NGO funding model, though more research-oriented and outpatient-focused.
• Salvation Army Recovery Services: Operates Bridge and other residential recovery programs across Australia. Comparable on residential SUD treatment, government contract reliance, and nonprofit delivery model, though operating as part of a much broader welfare organization.

Emerging players

• Kedesh Rehabilitation Services: Smaller Australian residential AOD rehabilitation provider. Comparable on residential TC operating model and government funding dependency, though at smaller scale than WHOS.

Regional players

• Phoenix Australia: Australian center of excellence in posttraumatic mental health, with overlap to WHOS's trauma-informed care work for women in addiction. Comparable on clinical/NGO positioning but focuses on veteran and trauma populations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 We Help Ourselves