KYDS Youth Counselling

What KYDS Youth Counselling does

KYDS Youth Counselling (legally KYDS Youth Development Service Limited) is a community-based Australian not-for-profit organisation founded in 2005 through a partnership between the Lindfield Rotary Club and Ku-ring-gai Council to deliver accessible mental health support to young people. Its single core offering is free, confidential, barrier-free counselling for young people aged 10-18 across Greater Sydney and NSW, deliberately structured so that no Medicare card, GP referral, or mental health care plan is required. Service delivery is conducted by qualified psychologists, provisional psychologists, counsellors, and social workers, using evidence-based therapeutic techniques across individual counselling, family-based interventions, parenting support, therapeutic group sessions, and well-being programmes, with no fixed cap on session length or count. The organisation positions itself as serving the 'forgotten middle' between primary care and the Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS).

The product portfolio has broadened beyond direct counselling into four complementary programmes: school-based workshops and presentations (delivered to 60+ schools and 17,000+ students via 150+ sessions), free webinars for parents, carers, and educators on topics such as anxiety, screen time, and self-harm, the newly launched (2025) Young Adults Counselling Programme for individuals up to age 24 delivered on a low-fee basis, and a Parent Information Series launching through 2026. Underlying technology is conventional community-services infrastructure: a WordPress website and online 'Let's Connect' intake form, Keela for form workflows, Stripe for donations, Google Analytics for web measurement, plus Vimeo and YouTube for video content distribution. There is no proprietary platform, app, or API.

KYDS operates from its Lindfield head office and seven additional locations in Hornsby, St Ives, Kirribilli, West Ryde, Parramatta, Campbelltown, and Port Stephens, reaching more than 400 young people and delivering over 10,000 counselling sessions each year. The organisation is registered as a private not-for-profit limited company in New South Wales under ABN 49 690 055 639, governed by a Board of Directors with CEO Carol Simpson (Chartered Accountant, Executive MBA, AGSM) and Chair Andrew Price (25-year EY Partner). Revenue is derived entirely from community donations, recurring 'KYDS Collective' monthly giving, fundraising events, corporate partnerships, and government grants from the Australian Government Department of Social Services and Primary Health Networks, with no service fees charged to eligible clients. Notable 2025-2026 milestones include NSQMHSCMO national accreditation, a strategic Boardroom Lunch hosted by EY, and ongoing partnerships with Northern Beaches Council, Dee Why RSL, Community Bank Lindfield, Officeworks, and Help St Foundation.

Name

KYDS Youth Counselling

Legal name

KYDS Youth Development Service Limited

Website

https://kyds.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

KYDS Youth Counselling is an Australian non-profit providing free, barrier-free mental health counselling to young people aged 10-18 across Greater Sydney and NSW, with no Medicare card, GP referral, or mental health care plan required. It supplements direct counselling with school workshops, webinars, and a Young Adults programme.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Mental Health Counselling

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Child and Youth Services (624110), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

School-Based Mental & Behavioral Health Services (EDAJAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Behavioral Health for Children & Adolescents (Youth Services) (HLAFACAL), Mental Health Counseling & Therapy Services (K–12) (EDAJALAG), Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Programs & Supports (EDAJAIAC)

Keywords

• Youth mental health counselling
• Community mental health services
• School mental health workshops
• Parent and family support
• Non-profit counselling services

Headquarters

HQ city

Lindfield

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: KYDS is a free service funded entirely by community donations, fundraising efforts, and government grants. Donations over $2 are tax-deductible. The KYDS Collective monthly giving program provides recurring support.
2. Government Funding: KYDS receives government funding from bodies such as the Australian Government Department of Social Services and Primary Health Networks for monitoring, evaluation, and service planning purposes.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

KYDS Youth Counselling is a community-based not-for-profit that delivers free, barrier-free mental health counselling to young people aged 10-18 across Greater Sydney and NSW, without requiring a Medicare card, GP referral, or Mental Health Care Plan. The core service includes individual counselling, family-based interventions, parenting support, therapeutic group sessions, and well-being programs delivered by qualified psychologists, counsellors, and social workers for as long as the young person needs. The offering is complemented by school workshops and presentations, webinars for parents and educators, a Young Adults Counselling Program (up to age 24), and Parent Information Sessions.

Product overview

KYDS Youth Counselling operates as a community-based not-for-profit offering a unified service model centered on accessible youth mental health counselling. The core offering is the Accessible Youth Counselling service (free, barrier-free counselling for ages 10-18), complemented by Schools Workshops & Presentations, Webinars, and a Resources Library. The organisation has recently expanded with a Young Adults Counselling Program (up to age 24) and Parent Information Sessions, extending the portfolio beyond direct counselling to family education and support. All services work together to provide holistic mental health support without requiring Medicare cards or GP referrals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Accessible Youth Counselling Free, confidential counselling service for young people aged 10-18 across Sydney and NSW. No Medicare card, GP referral, or mental health care plan required. Provides individual counselling, family-based interventions, parenting support, therapeutic group sessions, and well-being programs for as long as needed. Delivered by qualified psychologists, provisional psychologists, counsellors, and social workers.
• Workshops & Presentations Early intervention mental health-focused workshops and presentations delivered on school premises to small groups of 20-30 students or whole year groups. Topics include motivation, self-harm, technology, relationships, anxiety, and ADHD. Includes keynote addresses by experienced professional speakers with mental health lived experience.
• Webinars Free webinars offered by KYDS' experienced clinical team for educators, parents, carers, and community members on various mental health topics throughout the year, including school refusal, anxiety, self-harm, and supporting young people with digital mental health.
• Young Adults Counselling Program Low-fee counselling program extending support to individuals up to age 24, addressing a transitional life stage that often involves significant change and uncertainty. Reflects KYDS' continued commitment to improving access to mental health support beyond the core 10-18 age range.
• Parent Information Sessions Evidence-based parent education workshops supported by Northern Beaches Council and Dee Why RSL. Topics include parenting adolescents with screen time challenges, strengthening parent-teen communication, and emotional regulation strategies. Delivered online with multiple session times.
• Parent/Carer Support Services Family support services including one-on-one parent counselling sessions, parenting intervention, and family-based interventions. Helps parents and carers understand and support their young person's mental health journey.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10,000 free counselling sessions delivered annually to young people aged 10-18.
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• EY (Ernst & Young)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2025EY partnered with KYDS to host a Boardroom Lunch on 27 October 2025, bringing together 18 leaders from business, health, education, and philanthropy to explore ways to expand access to free, long-term mental health support for young people.
• The Kirribilli Neighbourhood CentreminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025The Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre partners with KYDS to offer Lower North Shore parents access to free, one-on-one parent counselling sessions.
• Northern Beaches CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Northern Beaches Council is supporting the KYDS Parent Information Series running throughout June and July 2026, providing evidence-based guidance to parents on navigating adolescent mental health challenges.
• Dee Why RSLcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025Dee Why RSL is supporting the KYDS Parent Information Series with evidence-based guidance to help parents navigate the complexities of raising adolescents.
• OzHarvestminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2025KYDS partnered with OzHarvest's Nourish Program to help a young client (Jack) access an 18-week traineeship for Certificate II in Kitchen Operations, supporting his career pathway.
• Pymble Ladies' CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 June 2025Pymble Ladies' College junior students formed a team of 149 runners at the Lindfield Fun Run, raising $3,596 for KYDS and winning the inaugural KYDS Schools Challenge.
• LifelineminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025KYDS collaborates with Lifeline alongside other local youth mental health services and community organisations to ensure young people receive the best possible care.
• HeadspaceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025KYDS collaborates with Headspace alongside other local youth mental health services and community organisations to ensure young people receive the best possible care.
• StreetWorkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025KYDS collaborates with StreetWork alongside other local youth mental health services and community organisations to ensure young people receive the best possible care.
• Mission AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025KYDS collaborates with Mission Australia alongside other local youth mental health services and community organisations to ensure young people receive the best possible care.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Orygen Youth Mental Health: Australia's centre of excellence in youth mental health, combining clinical services, research and training focused on young people aged 12-25. Comparable in clinical depth, youth specialization, and not-for-profit structure, though Orygen operates at a much larger scale with research and training arms.
• headspace: Federally funded national youth mental health network providing free or low-cost counselling to young people aged 12-25 across Australia. Most directly comparable peer in terms of target demographic (adolescents/young adults), barrier-free access model, and mental health focus, though headspace is substantially larger and federally backed.
• Mission Australia: Major not-for-profit delivering community services including youth homelessness, mental health, and family support across Australia. Listed as a KYDS collaboration partner; comparable in youth services, not-for-profit structure, and Australian geographic footprint, though Mission Australia is much larger and more diversified.
• ReachOut Australia: Australia's leading online youth mental health organization providing peer support, information and self-help tools to young people aged 14-25. Comparable in youth mental health focus and digital-first delivery, though ReachOut leans digital/self-guided while KYDS delivers in-person counselling.
• Lifeline Australia: National crisis support and suicide prevention service providing 24/7 phone counselling. Listed as a KYDS partner and crisis referral pathway; comparable in mental health service delivery and youth inclusion, though Lifeline is crisis-line focused while KYDS offers long-term therapeutic counselling.
• StreetWork: Sydney-based not-for-profit supporting at-risk young people through mentoring, counselling, and group programs. Listed as a KYDS collaboration partner; directly comparable in youth-focused community support and Greater Sydney geographic concentration.
• Kids Helpline: Australia's free, confidential 24/7 counselling service for young people aged 5-25, delivered via phone and online. Directly comparable in barrier-free, youth-focused mental health support model and explicitly referenced on KYDS' website as a crisis referral partner.

Others

• Sane Australia: National mental health charity providing information, peer support and advocacy, with a focus on complex mental illness including youth and family. Comparable in mental health support provision and not-for-profit funding model, though SANE specializes in complex mental illness rather than K-12 youth.

Broad incumbents

• Beyond Blue: Australia's largest mental health organization providing information, support and clinical referrals across all age groups. Comparable in youth mental health programming (especially youthbeyondblue) and broad awareness campaigns, though Beyond Blue serves all ages rather than specializing in K-12 youth.

Emerging players

• batyr: Australian not-for-profit focused on youth mental health prevention through lived-experience storytelling and school programs. Comparable in school-based delivery and youth mental health focus, though batyr focuses on prevention/awareness rather than clinical counselling.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks4 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@kydsyouthcounselling
• Facebookfacebook.com/KYDSYouthCounselling
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kyds-youth-counselling
• Instagraminstagram.com/kydsyouthcounselling
• Xx.com/kyds_yc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about KYDS Youth Counselling