What UnitingSA does

UnitingSA is a not-for-profit charitable organisation, founded in 1919 and headquartered in Port Adelaide, South Australia, that provides an integrated continuum of aged care, housing, disability, mental health, and community services. The organisation operates five residential aged care homes (Wesley House, Seaton, Hawksbury Gardens, West Lakes, and Westminster Village) totalling approximately 450+ beds, a home care service delivering 63,000+ visits per year, retirement living units, and 700+ community housing properties spanning social housing, affordable housing, and Specialist Disability Accommodation. Community services include NDIS support, mental health recovery programs across four regional Local Health Networks, homelessness services (24-Hour House, Hamilton House, the Adelaide North West Homelessness Alliance serving 5,578 clients), emergency relief, financial counselling, No Interest Loans (2,020 loans worth A$3M in 2024-25), parent pathways, and Wesley Social Enterprises for supported employment. In 2024-25 the organisation supported 14,500+ South Australians with 1,228 employees across 35+ locations.

The business model is funded primarily through federal and state government contracts (My Aged Care residential and home care, NDIS, SA Health Mental Health, DHS homelessness, Housing Australia), supplemented by resident aged care fees (RAD/DAP deposits of A$296K–A$780K per room and daily fees of A$68–A$180), social/affordable housing rent, individual donations and merchandise (SOS Socks, Karma Cups, Christmas Cards), corporate partnerships (Kennett Builders, CBB, SA Power Networks), and social enterprise revenue. Distribution is direct-to-consumer through physical sites, in-home care, community centres, and an online donation platform, with referrals flowing from My Aged Care, NDIS, and DHS. Major pipeline projects include Uniting on Second (70 apartments, A$37M, the largest development in the organisation's 105-year history), Uniting on Devonport (40 dwellings, A$15.9M), and several smaller townhouse projects. The organisation is part of the UnitingCare Australia network and is governed by a Board chaired by Gael Fraser with CEO Jenny Hall leading the executive team.

The technology stack is described as standard client management and digital fundraising infrastructure with no proprietary features, AI/ML capabilities, patents, or trademarks disclosed. Growth strategy is articulated in the Strategic Plan 2025-2030 across five priorities: high-quality community services, expanded disability supports, leadership in residential aged care, growth in in-home aged care, and increased supply of safe affordable housing — with a deliberate geographic push from Adelaide metro into regional South Australia.

Name

UnitingSA

Legal name

UnitingSA

Website

https://unitingsa.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1919

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

UnitingSA is a South Australian not-for-profit founded in 1919 that operates five residential aged care homes, home care, 700+ community housing properties, NDIS, mental health, homelessness, and community services, supporting 14,500+ people annually across 35+ locations with 1,228 employees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community and Social Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly (623312), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Assisted Living with Memory Care (Mixed Campus) (HLADABAB), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Community Resources, Social Services & Transportation Coordination (HLADALAK)

Keywords

• Residential aged care
• Community housing services
• Disability support services
• Homelessness support services
• Mental health services

Headquarters

HQ city

Port Adelaide

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices10 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: Revenue from federal and state government funding for aged care services (residential care, home care packages), NDIS services, community housing, and homelessness services. Government contracts and subsidies form the core funding base.
2. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate donations, school/church partnerships, and merchandise sales (Christmas cards, socks, Karma Cups, books). Appeals include Winter Appeal and Christmas Appeal. 100% of donations go directly to those in need.
3. Aged Care Fees: Residential aged care accommodation payments (RAD/DAP), daily fees, and means-tested fees from residents. Home care package contributions from clients.
4. Social and Affordable Housing Rent: Rental income from community housing properties. Social housing rent based on approximately 25% of household income. Affordable housing rent capped at 75% of market value.
5. No Interest Loans: Administration of No Interest Loans scheme, issuing loans to help people buy essential items. Volume of loans indicates significant social enterprise activity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

UnitingSA provides residential aged care, retirement living, home care, NDIS disability support, mental health services, homelessness services, and community housing across South Australia. The organization operates five residential aged care homes, manages over 700 community housing properties, supports more than 14,500 South Australians each year, and runs two regional community centres in Taperoo and Whyalla. Service delivery spans metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia, funded through government contracts, service fees, donations, and merchandise sales.

Product overview

UnitingSA is a not-for-profit organisation providing an integrated portfolio of aged care, community services, housing, and disability support services across metropolitan and regional South Australia. The organisation operates as a unified service network rather than a single product, with five Residential Aged Care homes (Hawksbury Gardens, Seaton, Wesley House, West Lakes, and Westminster Village), Retirement Living communities, Home Care services, NDIS and disability support, Mental Health Services, Homelessness Services, Emergency Assistance, Community Housing developments, and Wesley Social Enterprises for supported employment. Supplementary fundraising programs (Winter Appeal, Christmas Appeal/Toy Room), financial services (No Interest Loans, Financial Counselling), and branded merchandise (Karma Cups, SOS Socks, Christmas Cards) support the core service delivery. Major housing developments including Uniting on Devonport (40 dwellings) and Uniting on Second (70 apartments) represent significant expansion of affordable housing capacity.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wesley Social Enterprises (WSE): Supported employment services providing meaningful work opportunities for people with disabilities. Part of UnitingSA's community services offering.

Products and services

• Residential Aged Care 24/7 residential care, accommodation, meals, clinical care, and lifestyle programs delivered to older South Australians in five aged care homes across metropolitan Adelaide. Funded through My Aged Care and resident fees.
• Retirement Living Independent living units and villas for older South Australians seeking maintenance-free, community-based accommodation with access to on-site support services.
• Home Care In-home personal care, domestic assistance, clinical care, and social support delivered to older South Australians wishing to remain living at home. Accessed via My Aged Care packages.
• Respite Care Short-term residential respite stays providing carers of older people with a break while their loved one receives 24-hour support in an aged care home.
• NDIS Disability Services NDIS-registered core supports, daily living assistance, and community participation programs delivered to NDIS participants across South Australia.
• Specialist Disability Accommodation High physical-support specialist disability housing for NDIS participants with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs, delivered in purpose-built accommodation across South Australia.
• Mental Health Services Recovery-focused mental health support, psychosocial interventions, and brief clinical pilot services delivered in partnership with SA Health and the Royal Adelaide Hospital.
• Wesley Social Enterprises Supported employment social enterprise providing paid work, training, and pathways into open employment for people with disability, mental health conditions, or other barriers to employment.
• Parent Pathways Early intervention and family support program for vulnerable parents and families, providing mentoring, parenting capacity building, and connection to community services.
• Children and Families Services Family preservation, early intervention, and Communities for Children programs supporting vulnerable children, young people, and families across South Australia.
• Homelessness Services Crisis accommodation, outreach, transitional housing, and case management for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including the Peppertree Place family program.
• Emergency Assistance Emergency relief including food, material aid, and welfare support delivered at the Port Adelaide emergency relief centre and through outreach for people in acute financial crisis.
• Community Housing Affordable and social rental housing portfolio of more than 700 properties managed for low-income individuals and families across South Australia, with rents set at 75% of market value (affordable) or 25% of household income (social).
• Uniting on Devonport 40-dwelling community housing development in Prospect, Adelaide, providing affordable rental homes for low-income South Australians and forming part of UnitingSA's broader housing portfolio expansion.
• Community Centres Community centres at Taperoo and Whyalla providing local programming, social connection, and on-site service access for surrounding communities.
• No Interest Loans (NILS) No-interest loans up to $2,000 for low-income individuals and families to purchase essential goods and services such as fridges, washing machines, medical equipment, and education costs.
• Financial Counselling Free, confidential financial counselling helping South Australians manage debt, negotiate with creditors, and develop budgeting and recovery plans.
• SOS Socks Charity-branded socks sold via the UnitingSA online store with proceeds supporting community services and programs.
• Karma Cups Reusable keep-cups sold via the UnitingSA online store with proceeds supporting community programs.
• Christmas Cards Charity-branded Christmas cards sold via the UnitingSA online store with proceeds supporting community programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14,500+ South Australians supported in 2024-25
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments9 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• SA HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Successful tender for SA Health Mental Health Services funding to establish new services in Renmark, Port Pirie, Murray Bridge, and Barossa-Hills-Fleurieu region, plus expansion in Whyalla and Kadina. Also partnered on Brief Psychosocial Support Service pilot with Central Adelaide Local Health Network and Royal Adelaide Hospital.
• Adelaide North West Homelessness Alliance (ANWHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership with six other for-purpose community organisations and Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide specialist support services to people experiencing homelessness in metropolitan Adelaide north and west region. In 2024-25, the Alliance supported 5,578 clients. Innovative programs include Peppertree Place with integrated case management, tenancy support and wraparound services.
• Kennett BuildersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Uniting on Second ($37 million, 70 apartments in Bowden) and undertook $90,000 bathroom renovation for 24-Hour House emergency accommodation for young people at no charge. Since 2021, staff have collectively donated over 1500 Christmas gifts.
• Community Business Bureau (CBB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver CBB Launchpad Home-starter Program providing household essentials (bedding, kitchen basics, cleaning items) to individuals and families transitioning from homelessness to secure housing. Program helps rough sleepers transition to housing with dignity.
• UnitingCare AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of the UnitingCare Australia network - the largest aged care provider in Australia. Works on national advocacy for aged care reform and contributes to national reports on social issues including Child Social Exclusion Report.
• KWY Aboriginal CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to develop cultural learning strategy and review reconciliation approach. Facilitated cultural assessment sessions with Board and Executive team. Supporting development of Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.
• RenewalSAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected as preferred partner in December 2023 for delivery of 70 new affordable homes in Bowden as part of RenewalSA program. Development known as Uniting on Second.
• City of Port Adelaide EnfieldminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Walk for Awareness event commemorating National Apology to Stolen Generations. Partnership for seventh consecutive year in 2025.
• Housing AustraliacoreOthersSubject to income eligibility criteria set by Housing Australia for affordable housing applicants.
• Seymour CollegeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSchool donation partnership for Christmas Appeal. Students encouraged to bring toys to support Toy Room.
• SA Power Networks Employee FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate foundation providing generous donations of gifts and volunteer support for Toy Room during Christmas period.
• Central Adelaide Local Health NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Brief Psychosocial Support Service pilot project enabling support services for people discharge-ready from Emergency Departments who have presented with situational distress.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mission Australia: Large national not-for-profit providing homelessness, housing, mental health and community services. Comparable operating model in homelessness and social services though with national rather than regional scope.
• Australian Unity: National mutual provider offering aged care, home care, retirement living and banking services. Comparable aged care service lines though with broader commercial product mix.
• Salvation Army Australia: Major national charitable organization delivering emergency relief, housing, aged care and community programs. Comparable service areas in homelessness, emergency assistance and aged care, operating at much greater geographic scale.
• UnitingCare Australia: National network of Uniting Church aged care and community service providers. UnitingSA explicitly identifies as part of this network and operates under its umbrella, sharing brand, advocacy and certain back-office functions.

Direct peers

• Resthaven Incorporated: Major South Australian not-for-profit aged care provider with residential facilities, retirement living and community services. Operates a similar integrated aged care model to UnitingSA across metropolitan Adelaide.
• ACH Group: South Australia-based aged care provider operating residential aged care homes, retirement living and home care across the Adelaide region. Directly comparable geographic footprint and service mix to UnitingSA's aged care portfolio.
• Baptist Care SA: South Australian faith-based not-for-profit delivering community services, foster care, disability services, and aged care. Comparable service breadth and faith-affiliated governance model to UnitingSA.
• Community Housing Ltd: National community housing provider managing affordable and social housing. Comparable in the social/affordable housing portfolio and rental income model underlying UnitingSA's housing operations.
• AnglicareSA: South Australian not-for-profit providing community services, housing, aged care and emergency relief. Closest direct peer given overlapping service portfolio (housing, homelessness, aged care, community services) in the same geography.
• Royal Freemasons (Benevolent Institution): Not-for-profit aged care provider operating residential aged care, home care and retirement living across Australia. Comparable residential aged care service model and not-for-profit operating structure.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCiuMRhgi98udsmEH7mPUTQQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/unitingsa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unitingsa
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitingsa/?hl=en
• Xx.com/unitingsa

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries9 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 UnitingSA