What STAR Community Services does

STAR Community Services Ltd is a Queensland-registered not-for-profit (ABN 26 729 619 090) that provides aged care, disability support, and community transport services across five regions in Queensland — Redlands, Ipswich, Logan, Darling Downs, and Gold Coast. Originally founded in 1996 by the Redlands Shire Council as the Special Transport Assistance Redlands Association Incorporated (STAR) with ten drivers and three office staff, the organisation has grown to serve nearly 15,000 community members with a fleet of 71 vehicles and over 180 volunteers, completing 1.4 million lifetime trips. Core products and services include Support at Home (formerly Home Care Packages), In-Home Care, Social Programs, Care Finder, Transport for Seniors, NDIS Services, NDIS Transport, NDIS Support Coordination, and Transport for Under 65s, alongside programme offerings such as STAR Tech (a Department of Health-funded digital literacy programme for seniors since 2019), Social Charters, Weekly Lunch Club, Fitness Programs, Companionship, Domestic Assistance, Home Maintenance and Gardening, and Home Modifications.

The business model is subscription/recurring in nature, driven by Australian Government-funded programmes including the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), and Home Care Packages/Support at Home. Clients access services via the My Aged Care assessment and referral portal, through self-referral, family referrals, or community organisation referrals, with a phone-based contact centre (07 3821 6699) and online transport booking system as primary intake channels. Secondary revenue is generated through charitable donations via GiveNow, the STAR Connection Fund, the Annual Secret Santa Appeal, and Gift in Wills. The organisation holds ACCPA membership, HDAA certification, ACNC registered charity status, FIA membership, and Evolve Workforce Verified status, and complies with Aged Care Quality Standards and the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework.

The technology stack is non-proprietary: standard client management systems, contact centre systems, and transport booking tools appropriate for an aged care and disability support NFP. STAR Community Services has no proprietary AI or machine learning capability, no mobile applications, no public APIs or SDKs, and no disclosed patents or trademarks. Governance is provided by a Board chaired by Pam Bridges (with Treasurer Kailesh Naidu and six other directors including 2025 appointee Sara Horsey), with Patsy Wilshire serving as CEO since 2021 and Melissa Bannerman recently appointed as COO to oversee expansion of STAR Direct Support Services.

Name

STAR Community Services

Legal name

STAR Community Services Ltd

Website

https://starcommunityservices.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

STAR Community Services is a Queensland-based not-for-profit founded in 1996 that provides aged care, disability support, and community transport services across five Queensland regions, serving nearly 15,000 community members via government-funded programmes and a volunteer-supported delivery model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aged Care and Disability Support Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Other Individual and Family Services (624190)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Community Resources, Social Services & Transportation Coordination (HLADALAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Companion Care & Social Support (non-clinical) (HLADAGAB), Senior Social Clubs & Community-Based Day Programs (Non-Clinical) (HSABANAK), Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF), Special Needs Adult Day Programs (Developmental/Physical Disabilities, Seniors) (HLADAIAI)

Keywords

• Aged care services
• Disability support services
• Community transport
• In-home care
• NDIS services

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government-Funded Aged Care Services: Revenue from Australian Government-funded programs including Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), Home Care Packages, and Support at Home Program. Services are subsidised for eligible seniors.
2. NDIS Services: National Disability Insurance Scheme funded services for eligible participants with disabilities, including transport, support coordination, and direct support services.
3. Community Transport Funding: Government-subsidised community transport services for individuals under 65 with disability or financially disadvantaged who are not eligible for NDIS.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations through GiveNow platform, STAR Connection Fund supporting vulnerable seniors, Annual Secret Santa Appeal, and Gift in Wills program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

STAR Community Services provides government-subsidised aged care and disability support services across Queensland, including in-home care, social programs, NDIS support coordination, and community transport. The organisation serves nearly 15,000 community members through a hybrid paid-staff and volunteer model, operating a 71-vehicle fleet and drawing on more than 180 volunteers. Services are delivered across five regions: Redlands, Ipswich, Logan, Darling Downs, and Gold Coast, under programs such as Support at Home, NDIS, and Community Transport Funding.

Product overview

STAR Community Services is a not-for-profit aged care and disability support organisation that provides a comprehensive suite of in-home care services, disability support, and community transport. The portfolio consists of core aged care services (Support at Home/Home Care Packages, In Home Care, Social Programs), disability support under NDIS (NDIS Services, NDIS Transport, NDIS Support Coordination), and specialised transport services for both seniors and younger people with disability. Supporting these core services are various programs including STAR Tech (technology training for seniors), Social Charters (day trips), Fitness Programs, Companionship, Domestic Assistance, Home Maintenance, and Home Modifications. The organisation operates primarily in Queensland communities including Redlands, Ipswich, Logan, Gold Coast, and Darling Downs regions, having grown from its origins in 1996 as a transport association to a leading provider of community care services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• STAR Tech: A unique technology support program for seniors that provides tablets, training, and ongoing support to help seniors get online and use technology safely.

Products and services

• Support at Home
• In Home Care
• Social Programs
• Transport for Seniors
• Care Finder
• NDIS Services
• NDIS Transport
• NDIS Support Coordination
• Transport for Under 65s
• Social Charters
• Weekly Lunch Club
• Half Day Lunch Outings
• Easy Shopper Bus
• Fitness Program
• STAR Tech
• Companionship
• Domestic Assistance
• Home Maintenance and Gardening
• STAR Home Modifications
• Connections Across Generations Biography Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,000 community members served
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Community Celebration 2026 SupportersminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Supporters include Redland City Council, McGrath, GWH Dental, Alex Gow Funerals, Oldmac Toyota, Fidelity Hearing, Mr Fireworks and RetireAustralia who contributed to the annual Community Celebration event.
• Minjerribah Moorgumpin (Elders-In-Council)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Minjerribah Moorgumpin facilitated Cultural Awareness Training for STAR staff, providing on-Country cultural immersion experience with Elders from the Quandamooka Region. This training strengthened staff understanding of First Nations cultures and traditions.
• Redland City CouncilcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRedland City Council provides funding for Cultural Awareness Training through Rapid Response Grant Program. Council also supports the Annual Community Celebration event and volunteering initiatives.
• CODI Transport (Ipswich)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with CODI transport in Ipswich to provide coordinated community transport services across the region, keeping communities moving.
• Australian Government Department of HealthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSTAR Tech program is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme Innovation Funding, providing technology support for seniors.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• BlueCare (UnitingCare Queensland): UnitingCare Queensland's community services arm delivering aged care, disability support, and home care across Queensland. Closest geographic peer to STAR given overlapping Queensland footprint and similar multi-service community model.
• Bolton Clarke: One of Australia's largest NFP aged care and retirement living providers, formed from the merger of RDNS and RSL Care. Directly comparable in service mix (in-home care, transport, social support) and NFP operating model.
• Life Without Barriers: Large NFP providing disability, aged care, child protection, and youth services across Australia, including in Queensland. Direct peer in NDIS delivery and community-based aged care.
• Multicap: Queensland-headquartered disability and community services provider supporting NDIS participants. Closely comparable to STAR's NDIS services portfolio and Queensland operating geography.
• Feros Care: Australian NFP delivering aged care, disability, and wellbeing services including tech-enabled care and social programs. Comparable multi-program, government-funded community services model with strong technology orientation.
• Carers Queensland: Queensland NFP providing NDIS support coordination, carer support, and disability services. Directly comparable to STAR's NDIS Support Coordination and disability transport offerings.
• BallyCara: Queensland-based NFP retirement living and aged care provider offering in-home care, social programs, and transport. Comparable service mix and community-rooted NFP model in the same state.
• Wesley Mission Queensland: Queensland NFP delivering aged care, disability, community, and social services. Comparable NFP status, multi-service community portfolio, and Queensland presence.
• Anglicare Southern Queensland: NFP community services provider delivering aged care, disability support, and family services across southern Queensland. Similar community-embedded service model and funding mix.

Regional players

• EACH: NFP delivering aged care, disability, mental health, and community health services primarily in Victoria, NSW and Queensland. Comparable multi-program community services model though with a different geographic centre of gravity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance7 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 STAR Community Services