The Burdekin Association

What The Burdekin Association does

The Burdekin Association (legally Burdekin Youth Services Limited) is an independent Australian not-for-profit established in 1985 that delivers a continuum of care for vulnerable children and young people aged 7–25 across Sydney, with a particular focus on homelessness prevention, out-of-home care, transitional housing, family support, and education re-engagement. Headquartered in Brookvale, NSW, the organisation operates through multiple integrated program modules: Out-of-Home Care (Supported Family Group Homes, Supported Independent Living, Staffed Home Care) for children aged 12–18 referred by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice; a Youth Housing Program for 16–24 year olds delivered in partnership with community housing providers Link Wentworth and Bridge Housing; a Family Support Program providing counselling and case management; the Beaches Youth Hub, which co-locates Burdekin with headspace, KYDS, Mission Australia, Lifeline, and SDECC to deliver free mental health services in Pittwater; the Dee Why Project, a gambling and gaming education and case management initiative funded by the Office of Responsible Gambling NSW; and an Education Program delivered by two dedicated Education Specialists funded through an Allan & Gill Gray Philanthropies grant. A separate Foster Carer Program recruits and supports foster carers across Northern Sydney and beyond.

The organisation serves a client base skewed toward adolescents and young adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, families in conflict or crisis, young parents, and a disproportionately Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cohort (approximately one quarter of clients). In 2023/24 it housed 127 children and young people per night and reported 89% family reunification and 88% education retention among those leaving care. Technology use is limited to online referral intake, virtual counselling sessions, and digital newsletter distribution; there is no proprietary platform or AI/ML capability disclosed. The CEO is Justene Gordon, who leads a workforce of 51–100 employees across offices in Brookvale, Marrickville, and co-located sites in Avalon, Five Dock, Concord, and Balgowlah.

The business model is grant-and-philanthropy-funded rather than commercial: all services are provided free to eligible clients, with revenue derived from NSW government grants (DCJ, Office of Responsible Gambling NSW, Northern Beaches Council), corporate partnerships (including Property Industry Foundation, Optus, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, Bunnings, Taubmans, and Ben & Jerry's), tax-deductible individual donations, workplace giving, in-kind contributions, and community fundraising events such as the annual Charity Golf Day and Beach2Beach Fun Run. The organisation is governed by a board of directors, has no parent company or subsidiaries, and is not exposed to equity capital markets.

Name

The Burdekin Association

Legal name

Burdekin Youth Services Limited

Website

https://burdekin.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Burdekin Association is an Australian not-for-profit founded in 1985 that prevents youth homelessness and delivers out-of-home care, transitional housing, family support, mental health, and education services to vulnerable children and young people aged 7–25 across Sydney, funded by NSW government grants, corporate partnerships, and donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Homelessness and Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Community Housing Services (62422), Social Assistance (624), Temporary Shelters (624221)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL), Attendance, Engagement & Truancy Intervention Services (EDAJAIAI), Independent Living with Supportive Services (Light ADL/IADL Support) (HLADAAAE), Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

Keywords

• Youth homelessness prevention
• Out-of-home care
• Youth housing support
• Family counselling services
• Foster care services

Headquarters

HQ city

Brookvale

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and philanthropy: Individual donations, corporate donations, and in-kind contributions from supporters. Donations of $2 and over are tax-deductible in Australia. Corporate partners provide financial and product contributions.
2. Government grants and funding: Funded by NSW Department of Communities and Justice, Office of Responsible Gambling NSW, Northern Beaches Council, and other government bodies for specific programs including Out-of-Home Care, Youth Housing, Family Support, and the Dee Why Project.
3. Corporate partnerships: Philanthropic corporate partnerships providing financial support, employee engagement, workplace giving, in-kind donations of goods/services, and corporate volunteering.
4. Community fundraising: Community fundraising events including golf days, fun runs, and annual campaigns. A community fundraiser helped raise $29,870 for children and young people.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Burdekin Association provides free, integrated social services to vulnerable children and young people aged 7-25 in Sydney, including Out-of-Home Care, Youth Housing, Family Support counselling, an Education Program, and community outreach initiatives such as the Beaches Youth Hub and Dee Why gambling/gaming education project. Its core deliverable is safe housing paired with case management, education re-engagement, and life-skills support, delivered through direct referral intake and partnerships with government, corporate, and community organisations.

Product overview

The Burdekin Association is a not-for-profit organization providing a continuum of care for young people aged 7-25 in Sydney. The organization operates multiple integrated service modules addressing youth homelessness prevention and support: Out-of-Home Care (including Supported Family Group Homes, Supported Independent Living, and Staffed Home Care) provides accommodation for children aged 12-18; the Youth Housing Program offers transitional housing for 16-24 year olds with case management; the Family Support Program delivers early intervention counselling; Community Outreach fills service gaps through the Beaches Youth Hub (mental health), Dee Why Project (gambling/gaming education), and Canada Bay Youth Space; the Education Program provides specialist educational support; and Foster Care recruits and supports foster carers. These services are supported by corporate partnerships and volunteer programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Out-of-Home Care (OOHC) Provides safe, stable, nurturing accommodation and case management for young people aged 12-18 who are unable to live with their families, referred by the NSW Department of Communities and Justice. Includes Supported Family Group Homes, Supported Independent Living, and Staffed Home Care placements plus after-care support.
• Youth Housing Program Provides semi-supported, affordable housing for young people aged 16-24 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Northern Sydney, paired with case management and independent living skill-building. Clients sign leases with community housing providers Link Wentworth and Bridge Housing.
• Family Support Program Early intervention program supporting young people aged 12-24 and their families through counselling, case management, and practical support aimed at strengthening family relationships and preventing youth homelessness.
• Community Outreach Identifies gaps in community services and provides intervention for families and young people through community-based programs in Northern Sydney, Inner West, and Western Sydney.
• Beaches Youth Hub Free mental health support service for young people aged 12-24 in the Pittwater area, offering counselling, case management, workshops, events, and youth advisory groups through co-location with headspace, KYDS, Mission Australia, SDECC, and Lifeline at Avalon Recreation Centre.
• Dee Why Project Gambling and gaming education and awareness program with case management for the Dee Why community, addressing teenage gaming and gambling addiction through peer-led education and structured conversations.
• Education Program Educational inclusion initiative addressing education disadvantage experienced by children in care, providing one-on-one teaching, individual education plans, advocacy for school enrollment, and tutoring services delivered by two dedicated Education Specialists.
• Foster Carer Program Foster care program recruiting, training, and supporting foster carers to provide safe, nurturing environments for young people who are unable to live with their families.
• Volunteering Program Volunteer program offering opportunities to work directly with young people through driving support, education mentorship, independent living skills support, mentoring, social support, and skilled-based volunteering, including corporate volunteering days.
• Corporate Partnerships Corporate partnership program enabling businesses to support youth services through philanthropic partnerships, employee engagement, workplace giving, in-kind donations of goods and services, and corporate volunteering opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% of children who left Burdekin's care returned to their families (2023/24)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Balgowlah Boys High SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partner school for the 2024 BA Gamechanger Peer Education Project on teenage gambling and gaming. Year 10 Peer Educators educated about gambling risks and conducted structured conversations with peers. Mission Australia Counsellors provided support to referred students.
• Link WentworthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity housing provider partnership. Youth Housing Program clients sign a standard lease with Link Wentworth while receiving Burdekin's case management support. Properties provided in partnership with private landlords, community housing providers, and the Department of Communities & Justice.
• Bridge HousingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity housing provider partner in the Youth Housing Program. Bridge Housing provides housing options for young people aged 16-24 in partnership with Burdekin's case management support.
• Department of Communities & Justice (DCJ)coreOthersGovernment funding body and referral source. Funds the Out-of-Home Care program, Youth Housing Program, and Canada Bay Youth Space Project. Young people are referred by DCJ to Burdekin's OOHC services.
• headspace BrookvalecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. Co-locates counselling services at the Beaches Youth Hub in Avalon alongside KYDS, Mission Australia, SDECC, Lifeline, and Burdekin.
• KYDS Youth Development ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal youth development service providing counselling services at the Beaches Youth Hub. Contributes to the collaboration of free mental health support services for young people aged 12-24 in Pittwater.
• Mission AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthern Sydney Mission Australia provides counselling services at the Beaches Youth Hub. Also partnered with Burdekin through the Dee Why Project, with Mission Australia Counsellors trained and providing support to young people referred by Peer Educators at Balgowlah Boys High School.
• GameAwarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecial guest speaker Andrew Kinch from GameAware brings 30 years gaming experience and 15 years wellbeing/teaching experience. Delivers workshops and education on gambling and gaming harm, bridging gaps between teenage gamers, parents, and professionals. Awarded AMP's Tomorrow Fund in 2020. Works collaboratively with headspace.
• GambleAwarecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks towards zero gambling-related harm in NSW through research, education, and support. Assisted in training Mission Australia Counsellors for the Dee Why Project. Funded by the NSW Responsible Gambling Fund.
• Northern Beaches CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder of the Beaches Youth Hub initiative. Provides support and resources to enable the collaboration of free youth mental health services in the Pittwater area.
• Manly Warringah Sea EaglesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that helps raise awareness of youth homelessness. Provides community engagement opportunities and visibility for Burdekin's mission.
• BunningsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing donated materials and volunteer labour to improve living conditions in homes where young people reside.
• Taubmans PaintminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing paint donations for property renovations to create safe, comfortable homes for young people.
• Ben & Jerry'sminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate volunteer partner. Provided human power for makeover of two properties where young people reside in both Inner West and Northern Beaches locations.
• Property Industry FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner helping raise awareness of youth homelessness and providing support for property-related needs of young people in care.
• OptusminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner that conducted a corporate impact day volunteering with Burdekin, providing community engagement and support for the organization's work.
• LifelinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-locates crisis support and counselling services at the Beaches Youth Hub alongside KYDS, headspace, Mission Australia, SDECC, and Burdekin.
• Sydney North Health NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth network partner supporting youth mental health and community health initiatives in the Northern Sydney region.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• MacKillop Family Services: Catholic nonprofit providing OOHC, foster care, and family services across Australia, with strong NSW presence. Comparable to Burdekin's OOHC, foster care, and education support programs for vulnerable children and young people.
• headspace Brookvale (headspace National): National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early-intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. Direct overlap with Burdekin's Beaches Youth Hub mental health offering, and an active co-located partner.
• Mission Australia: Large Australian nonprofit delivering youth homelessness, housing, mental health, and family support services. Directly comparable to Burdekin across target population and program mix; already a co-located partner of Burdekin at the Beaches Youth Hub and the Dee Why Project.
• Youth Off The Streets: NSW-based nonprofit delivering accommodation, education, counselling, and family support services for vulnerable young people. Comparable target population and program mix, especially in education re-engagement.
• Anglicare Australia: Major church-affiliated nonprofit providing OOHC, youth housing, family support, and community services nationally with a strong NSW footprint. Directly comparable to Burdekin's OOHC, youth housing, and family support service lines.
• Salvation Army Australia: National charitable organisation delivering youth homelessness, housing, family support, and community outreach programs. Comparable across target population, service mix, and reliance on government funding and donations.
• KYDS Youth Development Service: Northern Beaches-based youth counselling and development service that is already a Burdekin co-located partner at the Beaches Youth Hub. Direct overlap in counselling, family support, and youth wellbeing services in the same geography.
• Yourtown: Australian nonprofit providing youth housing, employment services, counselling, and family support. Comparable target population and service lines, with similar reliance on government and philanthropic funding.
• Uniting (Uniting NSW.ACT): Large NSW nonprofit delivering OOHC, foster care, youth homelessness, family support, and community services. Direct overlap with Burdekin's core programs across the same Sydney geography.
• Lifestyle Solutions: National nonprofit delivering OOHC, foster care, and disability/youth support services with a NSW presence. Comparable OOHC and supported independent living offerings for vulnerable young people.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BurdekinAssoc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Burdekin Association