Forward Ability Support
Forward Ability Support is an Australian non-profit disability organization, founded 1961, delivering specialized clinical services, home and living support, accommodation, and NDIS-registered care to people with spinal cord injury across NSW, ACT, and NT, complemented by healthcare product sales through BrightSky Australia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1961
- HeadquartersNewington, Australia
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Forward Ability Support does
Forward Ability Support is an Australian non-profit disability support organization founded in 1961 (rebranded from ParaQuad NSW in 2021) and headquartered in NSW, operating as the trading name of The Paraplegic & Quadriplegic Association of NSW. Its core function is delivering specialized services and products to people with spinal cord injury and similar neurological disabilities across NSW, ACT, and NT, with Australia-wide product distribution via its related trading entity BrightSky Australia. The service portfolio comprises Clinical Services (clinical nurse consultants and occupational therapists), Home & Living Support (accommodation at Ferguson Lodge and personal care), Specialist Healthcare Products through BrightSky.com.au (continence products, catheters, wound care, nutritional supplements), The Forward Fellowship scholarship program (up to $5,000 per annum, up to 20 recipients annually), and an SCI Accredited Training Course (Course Code 11323NAT) delivered by Benchmarque Group. The technology stack is built on domain-specific clinical expertise and accredited training IP rather than proprietary software platforms.
The business model is diversified across NDIS-funded service delivery (clinical services, personal care, accommodation), healthcare product sales through BrightSky Australia e-commerce, membership subscriptions ($20 ordinary, $15 supporting), tax-deductible donations and bequests, and the Forward Fellowship scholarship program funded from operating surplus. Go-to-market is community-led and direct-to-consumer: customers are reached through community networks, peer support, healthcare provider referrals, NDIS plan management, and an e-commerce storefront. Membership confers voting rights, PBS-funded bowel preparation access, and benefits, while NDIS registration across all service categories and ACNC charity registration with Deductible Gift Recipient status provide the regulatory foundation. As a member-governed charity with a permanent CEO (Melissa Decker, appointed April 2024) and a Board of Directors, the organization reinvests surplus into mission delivery rather than distributing profit, with BrightSky's profits explicitly directed back to the SCI community.
Forward Ability Support firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Forward Ability Support
- Legal name
- Paraplegic & Quadriplegic Association of NSW
- Website
- https://fas.org.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1961
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Forward Ability Support is an Australian non-profit disability organization, founded 1961, delivering specialized clinical services, home and living support, accommodation, and NDIS-registered care to people with spinal cord injury across NSW, ACT, and NT, complemented by healthcare product sales through BrightSky Australia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Forward Ability Support industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Disability and Spinal Cord Injury Support Services
- NAICS
- Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Home Health Care Services (62161), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)
- SIC
- Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Orthopedic, Prosthetic & Surgical Appliances & Supplies (3842)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGACAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Disability Services & Independent Living Support (BPAGAEAG), Housing Transition & Supported Living Navigation (EDAKANAK)
Keywords
Where Forward Ability Support is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Newington
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Forward Ability Support business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- NDIS Funded Services: Revenue from providing NDIS-registered services including clinical services, personal care, accommodation, and support services to participants with spinal cord injury under their NDIS plans.
- Healthcare Products Sales (BrightSky): Sale of specialist healthcare products including continence products, catheters, wound care dressings, nutritional supplements, and medical supplies through BrightSky.com.au.
- Membership Fees: Annual membership fees: Ordinary membership ($20/year) with voting rights and full services; Supporting membership ($15/year) with limited benefits. Includes access to PBS-funded bowel preparations for eligible members.
- Donations and Bequests: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and companies to support Forward's mission. Monthly giving options available. Bequest program for legacy giving through wills.
- Scholarship Program: Forward Scholarship Program providing up to $5,000 per annum to support career, educational and life goals of people living with SCI. Funding may be used for courses, equipment, transport costs, and assistive technology.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Ordinary membership for people living with spinal cord injury or related disability |
| Subscription | Annual | Supporting membership for people interested in spinal cord injury |
| Other | Annual | Forward Scholarship Program for people living with SCI |
| Other | Monthly | Tax-deductible donations |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Forward Ability Support product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Forward Ability Support is an NDIS-registered non-profit charity delivering specialist clinical services, home and living support (personal care and accommodation), peer support, advocacy, and accredited SCI training to people with spinal cord injury in NSW, ACT and NT. Through its related trading entity BrightSky Australia, it sells specialist healthcare products (continence, catheters, wound care, nutritional supplements) direct-to-consumer across Australia and operates a membership program, scholarship (Forward Fellowship) and community engagement program (Live Well Together).
Product overview
Forward Ability Support operates as a unified disability support organization offering a comprehensive suite of services for people with spinal cord injury. The core offerings include Clinical Services (clinical nurse consultants and occupational therapists), Home & Living Support (accommodation and personal care), and Specialist Healthcare Products through BrightSky Australia (continence products, catheters, wound care, nutritional supplements). The organization provides educational programs including the SCI Accredited Training Course (11323NAT) and BeBright training workshops. Additional services include The Forward Fellowship scholarship program, Knowledge Centre resources, and the Live Well Together community program. The membership program offers Ordinary membership (with voting rights and PBS-funded bowel preparations) and Supporting membership. All services are delivered by NDIS-registered providers with specialized SCI training.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Clinical Services Clinical support and advice delivered by clinical nurse consultants and occupational therapists with extensive experience in spinal cord injury and similar neurological disabilities, available to NDIS participants and people with SCI.
- Home & Living Support In-home disability support including accommodation (e.g., Ferguson Lodge) and personal care at home, tailored to individuals with spinal cord injury and delivered by trained support workers.
- Specialist Healthcare Products (BrightSky Australia) Retail sale of specialist healthcare products and equipment including continence products, catheters, bowel management products, wound care dressings, skin care products, nutritional supplements, PPE and medical supplies, delivered to customers across Australia via BrightSky.com.au.
- SCI Accredited Training Course (Course Code 11323NAT) Nationally accredited training course covering safe transfers and manual handling, managing neurogenic bladder and bowel, skin care, respiratory health, and recognising and responding to Autonomic Dysreflexia, delivered to support workers and health professionals via Benchmarque Group.
- BeBright Training Workshops Clinical training workshops and suite of clinical assessment and management tools for clinicians and health professionals to stay updated on best practice in spinal cord injury care.
- The Forward Fellowship Scholarship Program Scholarship program providing up to $5,000 per annum to people living with SCI to support career, educational and life goals, including formal qualifications, CPD, short courses, life skills programs, IT equipment, modified driving and assistive technology.
- Forward Membership Program Annual membership program with Ordinary membership ($20/year, with voting rights and full benefits including PBS-funded bowel preparations) and Supporting membership ($15/year, with most services and membership benefits but no voting rights).
- Live Well Together Community Program Community program in partnership with Sam Bloom that delivers surf sessions, wheelchair basketball events, community days, and webinars to bring people with spinal cord injury together, build connection and create opportunities for life after SCI.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 20 scholarship recipients per year receive up to $5,000 each for education and career development
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Forward Ability Support
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Forward Ability Support technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Forward Ability Support partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Sam BloomcoreFour-time World Para Surfing Champion Sam Bloom has partnered with Forward Ability Support and BrightSky Australia to create the Live Well Together program, designed to bring people together, build connection, and open up new possibilities for life after spinal cord injury. The partnership includes surf sessions, community events, and advocacy for the SCI community.
- URBNSURF SydneyminorHost venue for the Live Well Together Surf Session event that brought together over 30 para surfers with SCI, making it likely the largest gathering of adaptive surfers with SCI in Australia.
- Sargood on CollaroycoreSargood on Collaroy is a resort specifically for people with spinal cord injury and is a proud supporter of the Live Well Together Surf Session. Partnership supports accessible recreation activities for the SCI community.
- Royal Rehab LifeworksminorProud supporter of the Live Well Together Surf Session, providing adaptive sport and recreation expertise for the SCI community event.
- BrightSky AustraliacoreBrightSky Australia is the trading name of Forward Ability Support for specialist healthcare products. All profits from BrightSky directly support the spinal cord injury community. Operates under the same parent organization (Paraplegic & Quadriplegic Association of NSW).
- Wheelchair Sports NSW/ACTminorCollaboration for the Live Well Together x Wheelchair Basketball HER SPORT Festival event, bringing together women from the wheelchair basketball community for a weekend of community, connection and inspiration.
- Benchmarque GroupcoreBenchmarque Group (RTO No. 21824) delivers the nationally accredited SCI Course (Course Code 11323NAT) developed by Forward Ability Support. Provides skills-based workshops and assessment for support workers.
- DentonsminorSponsor of the Live Well Together Surf Session event.
- Sparrow xplminorSponsor of the Live Well Together Surf Session event.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Forward Ability Support competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Northcott: NSW-based NDIS-registered disability service provider offering accommodation, in-home support, therapy, and equipment. Highly comparable to Forward given overlapping NSW service territory and similar NDIS service categories.
- Bolton Clarke: Large Australian provider of in-home nursing, personal care, and allied health services, including NDIS-funded supports. Comparable to Forward on the home health clinical and personal-care delivery model.
- Royal Rehab: Sydney-based rehabilitation and disability services provider including Royal Rehab Lifeworks (which partners with Forward on Live Well Together). Comparable on inpatient rehabilitation, community living, and NDIS service delivery.
- Scope Australia: Major Australian disability service provider offering accommodation, therapy, and employment supports under NDIS. Comparable to Forward as a multi-service NDIS provider with similar service-line breadth.
- Aruma: Major Australian NDIS-registered disability services provider (formed from merger of House with No Steps and Autism Spectrum Australia). Comparable to Forward across NDIS-funded accommodation, daily living support, and therapy service lines.
- Life Without Barriers: One of Australia's largest NDIS-registered disability service providers, delivering in-home support, accommodation, and clinical services nationally. Comparable to Forward as a direct competitor for NDIS-funded plans and support worker talent across Australia.
- Spinal Injuries Australia: Australia's national peak body for spinal cord injury, providing advocacy, peer support, and Neuromoves exercise therapy. Directly comparable to Forward as an SCI-specific organization operating across similar customer segments, and explicitly referenced as a partner/resource in Forward's data.
- Independence Australia: Australian disability-focused not-for-profit offering healthcare products (continence, wound care, mobility equipment) alongside disability services. Directly comparable to Forward/BrightSky across both the e-commerce healthcare product channel and the NDIS service delivery model.
- Sunnyfield: NDIS-registered disability services provider in NSW and nationally, focused on accommodation, daily living, and community participation. Comparable to Forward on NDIS service mix and customer cohort.
Regional players
- Sargood on Collaroy: Sydney-based accessible resort and recreation facility purpose-built for people with spinal cord injury. A partner (not competitor) of Forward, but directly comparable in SCI-specific brand authority, NSW geography, and adaptive-recreation service category.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Forward Ability Support social profiles
Digital presenceForward Ability Support compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Forward Ability Support financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Forward Ability Support leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Forward Ability Support subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Forward Ability Support funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Forward Ability Support 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 Forward Ability Support
What does Forward Ability Support do?
Forward Ability Support is an NDIS-registered non-profit charity delivering specialist clinical services, home and living support (personal care and accommodation), peer support, advocacy, and accredited SCI training to people with spinal cord injury in NSW, ACT and NT. Through its related trading entity BrightSky Australia, it sells specialist healthcare products (continence, catheters, wound care, nutritional supplements) direct-to-consumer across Australia and operates a membership program, scholarship (Forward Fellowship) and community engagement program (Live Well Together).
Is Forward Ability Support a public or private company?
Forward Ability Support is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Forward Ability Support founded?
Forward Ability Support was founded in 1961. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Forward Ability Support based?
Forward Ability Support is headquartered in Newington, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Forward Ability Support make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. NDIS Funded Services are the primary driver. The others are healthcare Products Sales (BrightSky), membership Fees, donations and Bequests and scholarship Program.
Who are Forward Ability Support's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Northcott, Bolton Clarke, Royal Rehab, Scope Australia, Aruma, Life Without Barriers, Spinal Injuries Australia, Independence Australia and Sunnyfield. Sargood on Collaroy is listed as a regional player.
Does Forward Ability Support have an API?
No public API is recorded for Forward Ability Support.
What industry is Forward Ability Support in?
Forward Ability Support's product category is Disability and Spinal Cord Injury Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGACAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAG, Disability Services & Independent Living Support. Its NAICS code is 624120 and its SIC code is 8082.