Warrah

What Warrah does

Warrah Society is an Australian not-for-profit organization founded in 1969 by Karl and Hannelore Kaltenbach, delivering disability services, specialist education, and social enterprises to people with intellectual disabilities across Sydney's North-West. The organization operates from a 12-hectare bushland campus at 20 Harris Road, Dural, NSW, housing the Warrah Specialist School (Australia's only Steiner-based K-12 special education school), multiple Supported Independent Living (SIL) homes across Dural, Castle Hill, Baulkham Hills, and Cherrybrook, day programs, and on-site social enterprises including Sydney's only ACO-certified Biodynamic Farm, the Organic Farm Shop, Waaia Café, and Micro-Enterprises.

The service portfolio spans Supported Independent Living (24-hour residential support), Community Support Services, In-Home Support, Short Term Accommodation/Respite, Support Coordination, the Saturday Connect social program for school leavers, and Social Therapeutic Horticulture. Educational and program delivery is grounded in Rudolf Steiner pedagogical philosophy, integrating academics with arts, crafts, farming, and life skills across a single lifecycle continuum from K-12 through adult supported living and vocational training. The Biodynamic Farm and Farm Shop function both as certified organic retail operations and as participant work-experience sites.

Warrah is an NDIS-registered provider and ACNC-registered charity (ABN 95 572 025 945) with 101-250 employees. Revenue is generated through NDIS-funded disability services (the dominant stream, with pricing determined by individual participant plans), independent school fees, retail Farm Shop sales, and donations/fundraising (including bequests, workplace giving, and grants). Go-to-market is community-led: NDIS provider finder discoverability, family referrals, open days, community events (Spring Picnic), and partnerships with schools (Barker College), corporate volunteers (Deloitte), and TAFE NSW. The organization has accumulated multiple workplace and education awards, including The Educator 5-Star Employer of Choice (2025), Special Education School of the Year Excellence Awardee (2025), and dual Xref Engage Awards (2026).

Name

Warrah

Legal name

Warrah Society

Website

https://warrah.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1969

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Warrah Society is an Australian not-for-profit, founded in 1969, providing NDIS-funded disability services, Steiner-based K-12 special education, supported independent living, and biodynamic farm social enterprises to people with intellectual disabilities across Sydney's North-West.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disability Support Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Child and Youth Services (62411), Educational Support Services (611710), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (6243)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH)

Keywords

• Disability support services
• Supported independent living
• Specialist education K-12
• Biodynamic organic farming
• NDIS registered provider

Headquarters

HQ city

Dural

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. NDIS Funded Disability Services: Core revenue from NDIS-funded services including Supported Independent Living, Community Support Services, In-Home Support, Short Term Accommodation, Support Coordination, and Saturday Connect programs. Services are funded based on participant NDIS plans.
2. Organic Farm Shop Sales: The Biodynamic Farm and Organic Farm Shop generate commercial revenue through retail sales of certified organic produce, biodynamic products, and groceries to the general public. Products include seasonal fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, and specialty items.
3. Education Fees: Warrah Specialist School K-12 provides educational services. The school is an independent institution with its own enrollment process.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable revenue including tax-deductible donations, bequests/gifts in wills, workplace giving, fundraising events, and grant funding from government and private foundations.
5. NSW Return and Earn Scheme: Warrah participates as a charity partner in the NSW Return and Earn scheme, receiving donations from recycled container refunds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Warrah is a not-for-profit disability services organization providing Supported Independent Living, Community Support Services, In-Home Support, Short Term Accommodation/Respite, Support Coordination, and the Saturday Connect social program for NDIS participants with intellectual disabilities. It also operates the Warrah Specialist School (K-12 Steiner-based education), a biodynamic farm, an organic farm shop, micro-enterprises, and the Waaia Café as integrated social enterprises supporting participant vocational training.

Product overview

Warrah is a not-for-profit disability services organization offering a diverse portfolio of services centered on Rudolf Steiner principles. The core offerings include Supported Independent Living residential homes across Sydney's North-West, Community Support Services day programs, and Warrah Specialist School (an independent K-12 school for students with intellectual disabilities). These are supported by social enterprises including Warrah Biodynamic Farm (Sydney's only ACO-certified biodynamic farm), the Warrah Organic Farm Shop, Warrah Micro-Enterprises, and Waaia Café, which provide meaningful work opportunities for participants. Additional services include Social Therapeutic Horticulture, the Horticulture Therapy Garden (Spiral Garden), Saturday Connect (social program for young adults), Support Coordination, In-Home Support, and Short Term Accommodation/Respite. The organization operates from a 12-hectare bushland campus in Dural, NSW, and serves NDIS participants across the disability sector.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Warrah Farm Shop: An Organic Farm Shop operating alongside Sydney's sole biodynamic farm, selling certified organic and biodynamic fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, and groceries. It operates as a social enterprise providing work experience for Warrah participants and students.

Products and services

• Supported Independent Living (SIL) Residential accommodation providing 24-hour on-site support for people with disability, helping them develop skills for independent living while receiving dedicated social, emotional, and physical well-being support across multiple group homes in Sydney's North-West.
• Community Support Services Flexible day programs offering social, recreational, and educational opportunities for people with disability, including activities on Warrah's 12-hectare bushland campus and community engagement.
• In-Home Support Personalized support provided in participants' own homes to assist with daily living activities and maintain independence.
• Short Term Accommodation/Respite Temporary accommodation and respite services offering short-term stays for people with disability, giving carers a break while providing engaging experiences for participants.
• Saturday Connect Program A dynamic social program specifically designed for school leavers and young adults seeking meaningful social connections, featuring activities like bush walks, arts and crafts, games, and music sessions.
• Social Therapeutic Horticulture Therapeutic gardening and farming activities providing training, education, and therapeutic benefits through hands-on practical activities in the Warrah environment, featuring wheelchair-friendly pathways, raised garden beds, and edible plants.
• Support Coordination Assistance for NDIS participants to understand their plans, connect with service providers, and coordinate supports to achieve their goals and maximize their NDIS funding.
• Warrah Specialist School An independent, co-educational K-12 school providing quality and individualized education for students with moderate to severe intellectual disability and complex learning needs, following Rudolf Steiner's pedagogical philosophies with a unique creative outdoor curriculum.
• Warrah Biodynamic Farm Sydney's only ACO-certified biodynamic farm operating on Warrah's campus, producing nutrient-dense organic food while providing meaningful work opportunities for people with disabilities through social therapeutic horticulture.
• Warrah Organic Farm Shop A retail shop offering fresh certified organic and biodynamic produce, including fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, and groceries, while providing participants with valuable work experience in a vibrant community setting.
• Warrah Micro-Enterprises Programs where participants engage in meaningful hands-on work including hand-dipping natural beeswax candles, creating woven crafts, woodworking projects, and farm deliveries, producing products available for purchase.
• Waaia Café A welcoming community café operated by Warrah participants, providing meaningful participation opportunities and hosting events such as the Spring Picnic.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% positive wellbeing among staff (11% above Independent Schools benchmark)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Disability Services (NDS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 October 2025NDS CEO Michael Perusco and NSW State Manager Lowri Williams visited Warrah in October 2025 to meet with families and hear firsthand about the importance and impact of Warrah's services. NDS advocates for people with disability and the organizations that support them.
• TAFE NSWcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Since 2019, Warrah's partnership with TAFE NSW has provided vocational training opportunities including horticulture projects, construction work, and certificate programs. Notable achievements include building the Horticulture Therapy Garden with raised garden beds, chicken coop, hen house, and mud-brick pizza oven. Participants achieved Certificate I in Work Education and Introduction to Gardening qualifications. The partnership has now concluded but created lasting campus improvements.
• Barker CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYear 9 students from Barker College participated in a 6-week Live-In Experience at Warrah in 2025, fully immersing themselves in the community. Students built a chicken coop named 'Gaban-Ngurang' (Egg House), bird houses, engaged in arts and crafts, and performed for residents. The program provides students with community service experience while enriching Warrah's community.
• Elevate ExteriorsminorOthersDonated a full day of high-powered water cleaning and gutter maintenance across the Warrah campus.
• Mainbrace ConstructionminorOthersDonated cement for the Kaltenbach classroom development, contributing to modern, purpose-built learning spaces.
• Sandrick Project DirectionsminorOthersProvided pro bono project management for the Kaltenbach classroom renovation, ensuring the project ran smoothly and efficiently.
• Bernard DesmidtminorOthersDonated several days of time to facilitate management training sessions and strategic planning workshops for Warrah staff.
• NSW Return and EarnminorOthersWarrah is a Return and Earn charity partner, allowing the community to donate eligible container refunds to support Warrah programs.
• Annangrove Community Environmental CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWarrah participant Stephen volunteers weekly at the centre, participating in environmental activities including weeding, garden maintenance, and workshops like 'Growing Food for Wildlife' and 'Making Beeswax Wraps.'
• DeloitteminorOthersTwo Deloitte teams volunteered in 2024 to help set up a new inclusive outdoor community meeting space at Warrah.
• Dural Men's ShedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership providing skills and dedication to enrich Warrah's participant programs.
• Friends of WaldorfminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational exchange program bringing volunteers from Germany to contribute to Warrah's school and adult day programs, providing fresh perspectives and energy.
• NSW GovernmentcoreOthersNSW Government Seniors Festival Grant Program supported Warrah's Seniors Festival activities. Warrah also collaborates with Mr. Julian Leeser MP for Commonwealth funding initiatives.
• Greater Hills RotaryminorOthersProvided sausage sizzle at the Spring Picnic 2025 community event.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/warrahsocietydisabilityservices
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/warrah-society
• Instagraminstagram.com/warrahsociety
• Xx.com/warrahsociety

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Warrah