What Drug and Alcohol Services Australia does

Drug and Alcohol Services Australia Limited (DASA) is a non-profit community organization registered on 16 January 1985 and headquartered in Alice Springs, Northern Territory. It delivers a continuum of drug and alcohol rehabilitation, harm reduction, and justice-diversion services to adults experiencing harm from alcohol and other drug use, with a primary focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Central Australia, Tennant Creek, Groote Eylandt, and East Arnhem. The service portfolio is built on a trauma-informed Therapeutic Community model and includes 60+ residential beds across Aranda House (20 beds), Alternative to Custody Alice Springs (10 beds), Anindilyakwa Healing Centre (32 beds), a Transitional After Care Unit, and Angie's Place independent living units, alongside non-residential programs such as the Aboriginal Outreach Program, Sobering Up Shelter, Methamphetamine Outreach, Short Stay Take a Break low-acuity withdrawal, Prison In Reach, Restorative Day Program, and the Back on Track Drink/Drug Driver Education course.

The core technology is the Therapeutic Community clinical and operational model, with Aranda House independently re-certified against the Australian standard for Therapeutic Communities and Residential Rehabilitation services in late 2020, and the organization holding ATCA and Quality Innovation Performance (QIP) accreditations. Service delivery relies on human case management, outreach workers visiting town camps and remote communities, and a dedicated SUS bus transporting patients from the Alice Springs Hospital Emergency Department to the Sobering Up Shelter. No digital platform, mobile app, or AI/ML capability is disclosed.

DASA's revenue model is dominated by multi-year managed-service contracts and program grants from four government counterparties: the NT Department of Health, the NT Department of Attorney-General & Justice, the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and the Northern Territory Primary Health Network. Most rehabilitation services are free to clients at the point of delivery, while a small transactional revenue stream is generated from Drink Driver Education course fees (Unit 1 at AUD 325; Unit 1 & 2 at AUD 425), paid by individuals via cash, EFTPOS, Centrepay, or bank transfer. The organization is governed by a volunteer board under President Dan Ward, led by CEO Eloise Cole with Deputy CEO Jocelyn Dhu, and operates with 51–100 employees. In February 2026, severe flooding damaged the Aranda House facility, requiring temporary relocation of residential services to CAAAPU and ongoing engagement with the NT Department of Health on recovery plans.

Name

Drug and Alcohol Services Australia

Legal name

Drug and Alcohol Services Australia Limited

Website

https://dasa.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

DASA is a non-profit, Alice Springs-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation organization delivering residential, outreach, harm reduction, and justice-diversion services primarily to Aboriginal communities across Central Australia, Groote Eylandt, and East Arnhem, funded mainly by NT and Australian government contracts.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services (BPAGACAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN), Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO)

Keywords

• Drug rehabilitation services
• Alcohol treatment programs
• Therapeutic community care
• Drink driver education
• Aboriginal outreach services

Headquarters

HQ city

Alice Springs

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Primary revenue from Northern Territory Department of Health, Department of Attorney-General & Justice, National Indigenous Australians Agency, and Northern Territory PHN for delivering rehabilitation and support programs.
2. Course Fees: Drink Driver Education (DDE) course fees: Unit 1 at $325, Unit 1 & 2 at $425. Payment accepted via cash, EFTPOS, Centrepay, bank transfer.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Drug and Alcohol Services Australia (DASA) is a Northern Territory non-profit that delivers a continuum of drug and alcohol rehabilitation and education services, including residential therapeutic communities, sobering-up shelters, outreach programs, transitional aftercare, independent living, prison in-reach, alternative-to-custody programs, and Drink/Drug Driver Education courses. Services are delivered largely under contract to NT and Commonwealth government agencies, with additional direct-fee DDE courses and community donations.

Product overview

Drug and Alcohol Services Australia (DASA) is a community organization providing a comprehensive suite of drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs and services primarily in Alice Springs and Central Australia, with operations extending to Groote Eylandt. The organization operates as a unified service portfolio based on the Therapeutic Community model, offering residential rehabilitation (Aranda House, Transitional After Care Unit), outreach programs (Aboriginal Outreach, Methamphetamine Outreach), harm reduction services (Sobering Up Shelter), reintegration support (Angie's Place Independent Living Program), justice alternatives (Alternative to Custody, Anindilyakwa Healing Centre, Prison In Reach), withdrawal services (Short Stay Take a Break Program), day programs (Restorative Day Program), and education courses (Back on Track Drink/Drug Driver Education). Services are coordinated through Head Office and delivered across multiple locations in the Northern Territory, with programs designed to support clients from initial crisis intervention through to independent living.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aboriginal Outreach Program A community-based outreach program designed to engage Aboriginal clients in drug and alcohol support, delivered in regional and remote NT communities.
• Sobering Up Shelter Residential facility providing safe, short-stay accommodation and monitoring for intoxicated individuals who are a danger to themselves or others.
• Aranda House Therapeutic Community Residential therapeutic community program delivering structured, long-term drug and alcohol rehabilitation using a peer-driven, community-based treatment model.
• Transitional After Care Unit Transitional residential program supporting clients moving from intensive rehabilitation back into independent living.
• Angie's Place (Independent Living Program) Independent living program supporting clients in sustained recovery through supported accommodation and life-skills development.
• Alternative to Custody: Alice Springs Justice program offering a community-based rehabilitation alternative to custodial sentences for eligible offenders in Alice Springs.
• Methamphetamine Outreach Program Outreach program focused on engaging and supporting people affected by methamphetamine use.
• Anindilyakwa Healing Centre Culturally appropriate healing and rehabilitation program for Anindilyakwa (Groote Eylandt) clients.
• Short Stay Take a Break Program Short-stay respite program providing a structured break for clients in or considering recovery.
• Prison In Reach Program In-custody drug and alcohol program delivered inside NT prisons to support rehabilitation and continuity of care post-release.
• Restorative Day Program (Men's and Women's) Non-residential day program providing structured therapeutic activities for men and women in recovery.
• Back on Track (Drink/Drug Driver Education) Program Court-recognised drink and drug driver education course delivered across multiple NT locations (Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, and NT communities) for individuals referred by the courts.

Quantifiable outcome

• Aranda House Therapeutic Community independently assessed and re-certified against Australian standards for Therapeutic Communities and Residential Rehabilitation services in late 2020

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Anindilyakwa Land CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with DASA to develop the Anindilyakwa Healing Centre program with a cultural lens, leading the program design for Aboriginal men on Groote Eylandt who have experienced or are at risk of justice system involvement.
• Aboriginal Justice Unit (Northern Territory Government)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner in developing the Anindilyakwa Healing Centre and Alternative to Custody programs under the Aboriginal Justice Agreement. Confirms cultural connection for Groote Eylandt program eligibility.
• CAAAPUminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTemporary partner following February 2026 Alice Springs flood. Aranda House services temporarily relocated to CAAAPU to ensure continuity of essential alcohol and other drug support services.
• Alice Springs HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for the SUS (Sobering Up Shelter) bus transport service. Patients from Emergency Department are triaged and discharged to transport to the Shelter, alleviating pressure on the hospital.
• Alice Springs Youth Accommodation and Support Services (ASYASS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRefers young people aged 14-18 to the Sobering Up Shelter for supervised accommodation as an alternative to police cells.
• Alcohol and Other Drug Service of Central Australia (ADSCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerClinical partner for the Short Stay Take a Break Program (Low Acuity Withdrawal). ADSCA clinicians deliver the program alongside DASA with referrals accepted through both organizations.
• Alice Springs Correctional CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorReferral source for DASA's Prison In Reach Program. Support and Reintegration Services Team at the correctional centre makes referrals for male and female prisoners with sentences of six months or less.
• Alice Springs Town CouncilminorOthersLocal government partner providing venue for community events including the 40-year celebration. Community BBQ events held on Council lawns.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Windana Drug and Alcohol Recovery: Victorian non-profit delivering residential withdrawal, therapeutic communities, and reintegration programs. Operates a similar crisis-to-independent-living pathway funded primarily by state government.
• The Glen Centre: NSW-based non-profit residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre on the Central Coast. Comparable Therapeutic Community model and government-funded operating model to DASA's Aranda House.
• Holyoake: Western Australian non-profit providing counselling, residential rehabilitation, and AOD programs. Direct peer in mission, accreditation, and dependence on state health funding.
• Lives Lived Well: Queensland and NSW-focused non-profit delivering residential rehab, withdrawal, counselling, and outreach AOD services. Comparable full-continuum service model and government contracting approach.
• Odyssey House NSW: Australian non-profit providing residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation and therapeutic community programs. Closest national analogue to DASA's Aranda House model, with similar reliance on government funding and clinical accreditation.
• Ted Noffs Foundation: Non-profit AOD provider operating residential rehabilitation, outreach, and counselling programs across Australia. Comparable to DASA in funding mix, youth engagement, and Therapeutic Community heritage.

Broad incumbents

• The Salvation Army Australia - Recovery Services: Major national NGO operating a broad portfolio including AOD recovery programs (e.g., Moonyah, Doone Kennedy). Overlaps with DASA in residential rehabilitation and outreach but operates across many service lines and geographies.

Regional players

• CAAAPU: Alice Springs-based Aboriginal corporation providing AOD and cultural healing services. Currently hosting DASA's displaced Aranda House operations and a direct regional peer in the NT Indigenous AOD space.

Emerging players

• Turning Point: National addiction treatment, research, and workforce organisation with clinical AOD services. Comparable in evidence-based AOD treatment delivery but stronger research/clinical orientation and more urban footprint than DASA.

Others

• NADA (Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies): Peak body representing non-government AOD organisations in NSW. Not a direct competitor, but represents many of DASA's peer NGOs and influences the funding and policy environment in which DASA operates.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 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 Drug and Alcohol Services Australia