The Mai-Wel Group
The Mai-Wel Group is a Hunter Region (NSW) not-for-profit founded in 1960 that delivers NDIS-registered disability supports, employment pathways, skill training, and social enterprise opportunities for people with disability and vulnerable job seekers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1960
- HeadquartersMaitland, Australia
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The Mai-Wel Group does
Mai-Wel Limited (The Mai-Wel Group) is an Australian not-for-profit disability and employment services provider founded in November 1960 and headquartered in Maitland, New South Wales. The organization is registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and operates as a NDIS-registered provider delivering three core service lines: NDIS Pathways (Home and Living, Social/Community/Creative, Access support); Employment Pathways (Inclusive Employment Australia, Transition to Work, Parent Pathways, School Leaver Employment Supports); and the Mai-Wel Academy for skills and readiness development. Participants span people with disability across the Hunter Region (Maitland, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Singleton, Kurri Kurri, Muswellbrook, Dungog), including a youth segment aged 15-24 and parents facing employment barriers.
The underlying service delivery model is built on purpose-built physical facilities including the John Street site (sensory rooms, gardens, woodworking, kitchen, arts), the Creative Arts Studio (visual arts, music, recording/podcasting), and multi-site coverage from Singleton to Newcastle. A social enterprise arm branded Mai-Wel Enterprises operates four commercial units—Thrive Café, Thrive Ground Maintenance, Thrive Catering, and Thrive Scents—that serve dual purposes of revenue generation and real employment settings for participants. Subsidiary Mai-Wel LabourForce Solutions houses the employment pathways programs under a dedicated website and brand.
Revenue is generated primarily through NDIS service funding (government-backed subscription-style recurring funding for registered supports), supplemented by tax-deductible donations, corporate sponsorships (including platinum sponsor Titan Group), charity partnerships, and limited social enterprise commercial income. Membership generates negligible direct revenue ($6.50 lifetime joining/annual cost) but provides a governance channel with voting rights at the Annual General Meeting. Pricing follows NDIA price guides rather than commercial rate-setting. The organization employs 251-500 staff, is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Felicity Laczina, and is led by CEO John Cleary who received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2026. The principal non-executive customers for placement pathways include Pacific National, ARTC Rail, Varley Group, Gemco Rail, Ventia, Voco Kirkton Park, and Hunter Isuzu UTE Rutherford.
The Mai-Wel Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The Mai-Wel Group
- Legal name
- Mai-Wel Limited
- Website
- https://maiwel.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1960
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- The Mai-Wel Group is a Hunter Region (NSW) not-for-profit founded in 1960 that delivers NDIS-registered disability supports, employment pathways, skill training, and social enterprise opportunities for people with disability and vulnerable job seekers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The Mai-Wel Group 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), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Individual and Family Services (6241)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech) (BPAGALAM), Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)
Keywords
Where The Mai-Wel Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Maitland
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices6 records
Markets served
The Mai-Wel Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- NDIS Service Funding: Mai-Wel is a registered NDIS provider receiving government funding to deliver disability support services including supported independent living, community access, and employment supports
- Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, businesses, clubs and organisations. As a registered charity, donations over $2 are tax deductible. Funds support facilities, resources and opportunities beyond regular program funding
- Sponsorships and Corporate Partnerships: Support from business partners and individual donors including platinum sponsors, charity partnerships, and workplace giving programs
- Membership Fees: One-off joining fee of $1.00 and annual membership fee of $5.50 (including GST) for company members who participate in governance through AGM voting
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donations - tax deductible over $2 |
| Subscription | Annual | Company Membership |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
The Mai-Wel Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Mai-Wel Group is a registered NDIS provider and not-for-profit delivering disability support services, employment pathways, and social enterprise opportunities for people with disability across the Hunter Region of NSW, Australia. Its portfolio spans NDIS-registered supports (Home and Living Pathways, Social/Community/Creative Pathways, Employment Pathways), government-funded employment programs (Inclusive Employment Australia, Transition to Work, Parent Pathways, School Leaver Employment Supports), skills training via Mai-Wel Academy, and the Mai-Wel Enterprises social enterprise arm (Thrive Catering, Thrive Ground Maintenance, Thrive Scents). Services are delivered directly through purpose-built facilities including the John Street centre and Creative Arts Studio.
Product overview
The Mai-Wel Group is a not-for-profit organization offering a portfolio of disability support and employment services across the Hunter Valley region of NSW, Australia. The core offering consists of NDIS Pathways including Home and Living Pathways, Social Community and Creative Pathways, and specialized employment programs (Inclusive Employment Australia, Transition to Work, Parent Pathways, School Leaver Employment Supports). These are complemented by the Mai-Wel Academy for skills development, and the Mai-Wel Enterprises social enterprise arm delivering Thrive Catering, Thrive Ground Maintenance, and Thrive Scents. Physical facilities include John Street centre and Creative Arts Studio. The organization operates across multiple sites from Singleton to Newcastle and Port Stephens.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- NDIS Pathways NDIS-registered support services helping people with disability access and navigate the National Disability Insurance Scheme, including planning, implementation, and review of support plans.
- Mai-Wel Academy Skills and readiness programs for people looking to build work readiness through structured pathways tailored to individual strengths and interests.
- Employment Pathways (NDIS) NDIS employment pathways providing opportunities for high school students (Years 10, 11 and 12) and school leavers to learn skills and gain experience toward career goals.
- Home and Living Pathways Supports people with disability to build independent living skills, including support in purpose-built Supported Independent Living (SIL) homes and in participants' own homes, covering daily living, community access, and personal goals.
- Social, Community and Creative Pathways Community and centre-based supports providing participants with opportunities for social connections, creative exploration, community engagement, and skill building across three areas: Creative Arts, Social and Community Access, and Skill Building Supports.
- Inclusive Employment Australia Australian Government program supporting people with disability, injury, or health conditions to find and keep meaningful employment through personalised support from dedicated Employment Coaches.
- Transition to Work Employment support program for young people aged 15 to 24 across the Hunter region, pairing participants with dedicated Youth Support Mentors to build confidence and identify suitable employment roles.
- Parent Pathways Support program helping parents with disability or those facing barriers to employment to build skills, confidence, and pathways to participate in the workforce.
- School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) NDIS support for school leavers with disability to transition into employment through individualized skill-building and work experience programs.
- Thrive Catering Catering social enterprise providing hospitality training and employment for people with disability.
- Thrive Ground Maintenance Professional ground maintenance services delivered as a social enterprise with a focus on inclusive employment and community benefit.
- Thrive Scents Candle-making social enterprise offering workplace skills training in production and packaging for people with disability.
- John Street Purpose-built centre for people with disability offering lifestyle and leisure day supports, featuring sensory rooms, gardens, woodworking tools, kitchen spaces, arts and crafts areas, and community access transport.
- Creative Arts Studio Professional studio space for participants to build artistic and creative skills, featuring painting and visual arts spaces, musical instruments, rehearsal spaces, and recording studio for podcasting and music production.
Quantifiable outcome
- Thousands of people supported annually across disability and employment services
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use The Mai-Wel Group
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The Mai-Wel Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
The Mai-Wel Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- ARTC RailcoreThrive Ground Maintenance delivered major clean-up project for rail storage yard in Denman. Completed ahead of schedule with high client satisfaction. Partnership builds Thrive's reputation in Upper Hunter.
- Huntlee AcademycoreNearly decade-long partnership supporting inclusive employment. CEO Belynda Davies spoke at Singleton launch about real impact on organisation and people supported.
- Titan GroupflagshipPlatinum Sponsor for 2026. Titan Group's leadership and generosity extends beyond financial support to helping create real pathways for people with disability through Thrive Café. Committed to ongoing annual partnership strengthening programs year after year.
- Maitland Rugby ClubflagshipOfficial Charity Partner for 2026 season. Partnership brings grassroots sport together with inclusive opportunities. Creates inclusive game day experiences, builds employment pathways, and raises funds for inclusive programs. Charity Day raised nearly $12,000.
- Pacific NationalcoreWagon restoration kit assembly project in partnership with Varley Group. Participants assemble braking system upgrade kits in warehouse environment gaining logistics experience.
- Varley GroupcoreWagon manufacturing partner in Pacific National collaboration. Team visited site to see how kit assembly work contributes to larger construction process.
- Rae AndersoncoreDual Paralympian ambassador representing Australia at 2016 Rio Paralympics (athletics) and 2022 Winter Paralympics (alpine skiing). Passionate advocate and role model for people with disability championing inclusivity in workplaces.
- Gemco RailcoreEmployer Ambassador. Leading independent supplier of rolling stock products and services to Australian rail industry, specializing in locomotives, wagons, passenger cars and rolling stock components.
- Huntlee AcademycoreEmployer Ambassador. Not-for-profit established 2014 providing work, skills and career opportunities for disadvantaged people including Indigenous Australians, youth, long-term unemployed, mature age workers and people with disability.
- VentiacoreEmployer Ambassador. One of the largest essential services providers in Australia and New Zealand, providing services that keep infrastructure working for communities.
- Voco Kirkton Park Hunter ValleycoreEmployer Ambassador. 70-acre Manor estate in Hunter Valley offering stylish accommodation and dining. Partnership supports hospitality career pathways.
- Industrial Gaskets and SealantscoreEmployer Ambassador. Leading local manufacturer and distributor of premium sealants, adhesives, rubber, fibre and high-temperature gaskets in Heatherbrae NSW.
- Resourceful LivingcoreEmployer Ambassador. Australia's premier innovator in recycled plastic manufacturing producing sustainable products supporting circular economy.
- Hunter WildfiresminorCharity partner providing community support and fundraising assistance.
- National Disability Services (NDS)coreCo-hosted NDIS Roundtable with NSW Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington MP. Brings providers together as unified voice to advocate with government.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
The Mai-Wel Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Ability Options: NDIS-registered provider of disability employment, accommodation, and community participation services across NSW and Queensland. Highly comparable to Mai-Wel's employment and inclusion programs, with overlapping employer-engagement and transition-to-work offerings.
- genU (formerly Karingal St Laurence): Large Victorian-headquartered NDIS, aged care, and disability employment provider. Comparable in mission and integrated service portfolio (employment, accommodation, community participation) but operates primarily in Victoria with broader geographic diversification.
- Aruma: One of Australia's largest NDIS-registered disability service providers, formed from the merger of House with No Steps and Frontline. Comparable to Mai-Wel in delivering Supported Independent Living, community access, and employment services, but at national scale across all states.
- Northcott: NSW-based NDIS provider delivering accommodation, community participation, therapy, and employment services. Directly comparable to Mai-Wel's NDIS Pathways and Employment Pathways offerings with similar regional NSW footprint and disability-services focus.
- Sunnyfield: NDIS-registered charity providing accommodation, community participation, and employment services for people with disability. Operates social enterprises and supported employment, closely mirroring Mai-Wel's integrated model with Thrive Catering/Ground Maintenance/Scents.
- Life Without Barriers: Large Australian NDIS and out-of-home care provider offering disability services, supported independent living, and community participation programs. Highly comparable to Mai-Wel's NDIS Pathways portfolio but operating nationally with significantly greater scale.
- Achieve Australia: NSW-based disability services non-profit providing supported independent living, day programs, and employment services. Comparable service mix to Mai-Wel, particularly for supported employment pathways and community access programs, with similar scale and NSW geographic focus.
Emerging players
- Hireup: Tech-enabled NDIS platform connecting participants with support workers for disability and aged care. Overlaps with Mai-Wel's community access and personal care support but competes via digital marketplace model rather than center-based service delivery.
- Mable: Australia's leading NDIS-independent support marketplace connecting participants directly with support workers. Overlaps with Mai-Wel's community access and employment matching services but operates as a tech-enabled platform rather than a direct service provider.
Others
- National Disability Services (NDS): Australia's peak body for disability service providers. Mai-Wel co-hosted the NDIS Roundtable with NDS and the NSW Minister for Disability Inclusion. Relevant as an industry association and policy advocate, not a direct service competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
The Mai-Wel Group social profiles
Digital presenceThe Mai-Wel Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The Mai-Wel Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
The Mai-Wel Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries6 records
The Mai-Wel Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The Mai-Wel Group 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 The Mai-Wel Group
What does The Mai-Wel Group do?
The Mai-Wel Group is a registered NDIS provider and not-for-profit delivering disability support services, employment pathways, and social enterprise opportunities for people with disability across the Hunter Region of NSW, Australia. Its portfolio spans NDIS-registered supports (Home and Living Pathways, Social/Community/Creative Pathways, Employment Pathways), government-funded employment programs (Inclusive Employment Australia, Transition to Work, Parent Pathways, School Leaver Employment Supports), skills training via Mai-Wel Academy, and the Mai-Wel Enterprises social enterprise arm (Thrive Catering, Thrive Ground Maintenance, Thrive Scents). Services are delivered directly through purpose-built facilities including the John Street centre and Creative Arts Studio.
Is The Mai-Wel Group a public or private company?
The Mai-Wel Group is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was The Mai-Wel Group founded?
The Mai-Wel Group was founded in 1960. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is The Mai-Wel Group based?
The Mai-Wel Group is headquartered in Maitland, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does The Mai-Wel Group make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. NDIS Service Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and Fundraising, sponsorships and Corporate Partnerships and membership Fees.
Who are The Mai-Wel Group's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Ability Options, genU (formerly Karingal St Laurence), Aruma, Northcott, Sunnyfield, Life Without Barriers and Achieve Australia. Emerging players are Hireup and Mable. National Disability Services (NDS) is listed as an others.
Does The Mai-Wel Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for The Mai-Wel Group.
What industry is The Mai-Wel Group in?
The Mai-Wel Group'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 BPAGALAM, Disability Services & Assistive Solutions (Accessibility, Assistive Tech). Its NAICS code is 62412 and its SIC code is 8300.