The Benevolent Society

What The Benevolent Society does

The Benevolent Society is Australia's oldest charity, established in 1813 and headquartered in Glebe, New South Wales. It operates as an independent, non-religious not-for-profit human services organisation delivering a broad portfolio of programs across aged care, disability, early childhood, family and parenting support, youth mental health, domestic and family violence, and post-adoption services, served by 501–1,000 employees across 72 office sites in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, and the Australian Capital Territory.

The organisation's core product set comprises designated government programs — including Aged Care Services (now operating under the November 2025 Support at Home Program with Levels 1–8 and an End of Life Pathway), the NDIS Early Childhood Approach (NDIA partner in Queensland), Carer Gateway (NSW 1 region), Disability Gateway, Thalidomide Support Service, and state-funded family and parenting services such as Fostering Young Lives, Families Together, Functional Family Therapy, and Domestic and Family Violence programs — supplemented by Early Years Centres, Kindergartens, and Long Day Care in Queensland. The underlying technology stack is a digital service delivery platform built around client intake and referral workflows (online forms, phone 1800 236 762, Service Finder Tool), the AlayaCare Family Portal for aged care clients, and the Carer Gateway national digital platform; no proprietary AI/ML capabilities are described.

The business model is predominantly government-funded managed services: the majority of revenue is contracted through NDIS, My Aged Care/Support at Home, Carer Gateway, and direct NSW/QLD government department funding, supplemented by fee-for-service private pay (for clients not meeting subsidy criteria) and individual donations via the online donation platform. FY2024 revenue was AUD $172.8 million. The organisation is governed by a Board of Directors, currently led by CEO Kevin Barrow (appointed 2025), and pursues a practice-led operating model with formal clinical governance and a Graduate Pathways talent pipeline.

Name

The Benevolent Society

Legal name

The Benevolent Society

Website

https://benevolent.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1813

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Benevolent Society is Australia's oldest charity (founded 1813), a non-religious not-for-profit delivering government-funded aged care, NDIS, Carer Gateway, early childhood, family, youth mental health, and domestic violence services across NSW, QLD, SA, and ACT via 72 office sites.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community and Human Services

NAICS

Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Home Health Care Services (8082), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Elder Services & Aging Support (BPAGAEAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Family & Parenting Support Services (BPAGAEAC), Domestic Violence & Abuse Support Services (BPAGAEAD), Companion Care & Social Support (non-clinical) (HLADAGAB), Conversation, Cognitive Stimulation & Activity Facilitation (HSABAAAB), Caregiver Support & Education Programs (Center-Based) (HSABANAN)

Keywords

• Aged care services
• Disability support services
• Early childhood education
• Family support programs
• Youth mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

Glebe, New South Wales

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funded Services: Majority of services funded through Australian government programs including NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme), My Aged Care/Support at Home Program, and other federal and state government subsidies. Clients may access free or subsidised services based on eligibility criteria.
2. Fee-for-Service: Private pay services available for clients who do not meet government subsidy criteria or choose to pay privately for services. Fees apply for those not meeting criteria for subsidised services.
3. Donations and Philanthropy: Individual donations accepted through online donation platform to support organizational operations and service delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Benevolent Society delivers community-based human services across Australia, including in-home aged care, disability support, early childhood education and intervention, family and parenting programs, foster care, youth mental health services, post-adoption support, and domestic and family violence services. The majority of services are government-funded through NDIS, My Aged Care/Support at Home Program, and state subsidies, supplemented by private fee-for-service and donations. Services are delivered from 72 office sites across NSW, QLD, SA, and the ACT.

Product overview

The Benevolent Society operates as a multi-service human services organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of interconnected programs across aged care, disability services, early childhood development, family support, youth mental health, and domestic violence support. The core service architecture includes: (1) Aged Care Services - Support at Home with the Support at Home Program, Family Portal (AlayaCare), and Care Finder Services; (2) Carer Gateway Services providing national carer support; (3) Early Childhood Approach (ECA) and Early Years Centres for child development; (4) Family & Parenting Support including Foster Care, Families Together, and Functional Family Therapy; (5) Youth and Mental Health Support with The Shack and Rural Youth Mental Health Service; (6) Disability Gateway and Thalidomide Support Service; (7) Post Adoption Services (PARC/PASQ); and (8) Domestic and Family Violence Support. Services are delivered across NSW, QLD, SA, and the ACT from 72 office sites, operating as Australia's oldest charity since 1813.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Aged Care Services - Support at Home Comprehensive in-home aged care services including household assistance, personal care, transport, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and dementia support for older Australians in NSW and the ACT.
• Carer Gateway Services Australian Government's national carer hub providing reliable services, supports and advice for carers in metropolitan Sydney. Includes emergency respite, counselling, peer support, coaching services, and tailored support packages.
• Early Childhood Approach (ECA) National NDIS-funded program supporting children aged 0-6 with developmental delay or disability and their families. Provides child development services, early intervention, and family support in Queensland.
• Early Years Centres Free services for children aged 0-8 and their families including infant health checks, supported playgroups, immunisation clinics, and community-based early learning support across Queensland.
• Early Childhood Education Centres Kindergarten and Long Day Care Centres across Queensland including Beaudesert Kindergarten, Cairns Early Years Centre, and Bentley Park Kindergarten, providing early childhood education for children aged 0-5 years.
• Family and Parenting Support Services Comprehensive family support including parenting programs, foster care, domestic and family violence support, maternal health, intensive family support, and post-adoption services across NSW, SA, and QLD.
• Foster Care (Fostering Young Lives) Foster care program providing temporary or long-term care for children, with the best interests of the child at heart.
• Youth and Mental Health Support Counselling, referrals, and mental health services for young people including individual, family and group counselling, peer support programs, and The Shack Youth Services for those aged 12-25.
• Disability Gateway Free Australian Government national service helping people with disability, their families, and carers find trusted information and services throughout Australia.
• Thalidomide Support Service Support service for Australian thalidomide survivors requiring assistance through the Extraordinary Assistance Fund, Health Care Assistance Fund, and access to information.
• Post Adoption Services (PARC and PASQ) Over 35 years of combined experience providing information and professional support for people affected by adoption. Includes Post-Adoption Resource Centre NSW (PARC) and Post Adoption Support Queensland (PASQ) offering counselling, family records search, and intermediary services.
• Domestic and Family Violence Support Programs supporting people experiencing or who have experienced domestic and family violence, from crisis intervention through to recovery and healing. Includes Staying Home Leaving Violence, Going Home Staying Home, and Women's Space programs.
• Resilient Families Program Provides families with children intensive support and evidence-based therapies to prevent children entering out-of-home care. Funded through a $10 million social benefit bond.

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NDIA (National Disability Insurance Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorked closely with NDIA to effectively transfer disability clients from NSW Government Direct Service Provision. The Benevolent Society is the Early Childhood Approach (ECA) partner for the NDIA in Queensland, supporting children under 9 years with disability.
• NSW FaCS (Family and Community Services)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSW government department partnership for disability service transitions and family services. Collaborated on transferring disability clinical services across NSW including regional and remote areas.
• Mura Kosker Sorority Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership since January 2019 with Mura Kosker Sorority Inc. to deliver the Mura Buai Torres Strait Wellbeing Service across 14 islands in the Torres Strait. Model for governments and organisations seeking to grow Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled sector capacity.
• Mission AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-organiser of the annual Early Child Development Conference at Cairns Convention Centre alongside James Cook University and The Benevolent Society, bringing together professionals from health, education, and social support sectors.
• James Cook UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for the annual Early Child Development Conference at Cairns Convention Centre, promoting collaboration and evidence-based practices for early childhood development.
• Australian Red CrossminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks closely with Australian Red Cross to deliver training services and support community-based initiatives.
• New Horizons Learning CentresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorks extensively in the Learning and Development area, supporting industry innovation and building capacity across the sector.
• Supply NationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProud member of Supply Nation, Australia's first and leading advocate of Indigenous businesses in the supplier diversity space. Verification process ensures Indigenous-owned businesses are regularly audited.
• GoodStart Early LearningminorOthersJoint foundation of GoodStart in 2009 to acquire the ABC Learning Centres, ensuring continuity of early childhood education services. Corporate discount of up to 15% offered to employees.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Australian Unity: Member-owned wellbeing company delivering aged care, home care, disability, and banking services across Australia. Comparable in aged care and home care delivery, with a broader commercial diversification model.
• GoodStart Early Learning: Australia's largest not-for-profit early childhood education provider, jointly founded by The Benevolent Society in 2009. Direct peer in the early childhood/childcare service line that overlaps with The Benevolent Society's Early Years Centres.
• Australian Red Cross: National humanitarian and community services organisation delivering disability, migration, aged care, and emergency relief services. Comparable to The Benevolent Society in social services scope and an existing training partnership.

Direct peers

• Baptcare: Multi-service community organisation providing aged care, family, and community services across Victoria, Tasmania, and parts of NSW/SA. Comparable service portfolio to The Benevolent Society, particularly in aged care and family services.
• Life Without Barriers: Large Australian not-for-profit delivering disability, out-of-home care, aged care, and mental health services nationally. Directly comparable to The Benevolent Society in NDIS, foster care, and aged care delivery, though with broader national reach.
• Feros Care: Australian aged care provider offering home care, residential care, and allied health services across NSW, QLD, and WA. Direct competitor within The Benevolent Society's core Support at Home aged care services.
• Mission Australia: One of Australia's largest community services organisations delivering housing, homelessness, disability, youth, and family support services. Directly comparable to The Benevolent Society as a co-organiser of the Early Years Conference and as a multi-service, federally funded charity of similar scale.
• Uniting (Uniting NSW.ACT): Large NSW/ACT-based multi-service provider delivering aged care, disability, family, and community services. Highly comparable service portfolio, geography, and government-funding model to The Benevolent Society's aged care and family services operations.
• Anglicare Australia: National network of Anglican community service organisations offering aged care, disability, family, youth, and social assistance across Australia. Directly comparable in service breadth, government contracting model, and community-services charity positioning.
• Wesley Mission: Multi-service community organisation delivering aged care, family support, mental health, homelessness, and youth services primarily in NSW and QLD. Comparable to The Benevolent Society in service mix and east-coast geographic footprint.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/benevolentAU
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Benevolentsociety
• Facebookfacebook.com/thebenevolentsociety
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-benevolent-society
• Instagraminstagram.com/benevolent_au

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 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 The Benevolent Society