Brisbane Youth Service

What Brisbane Youth Service does

Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) is a Queensland-registered non-profit charitable organisation founded in 1976–77 that delivers free, confidential, wraparound support to approximately 3,000 young people aged 12–25 (and their children) each year who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Brisbane, Australia. Headquartered at 518 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley, with ~113 employees and multiple supported accommodation sites including Windsor House, Phoenix House, and Sandgate House, BYS provides crisis and immediate support, housing, an AGPAL-accredited free bulk-billed health clinic (GP, mental health, drug and alcohol), pop-up dental clinics, specialist young women's services, family and relationship/domestic violence support, and programs for young parents (Safe Young Mums and Bubs), education and employment (Positive Transitions Program), and tenancy sustainment.

The organisation's technology footprint is minimal — it is fundamentally a human-delivered, trauma-informed service with one digital initiative, the Youth Wellbeing Check-In App developed through an Optus Future Makers grant. Revenue mechanics are characteristic of an Australian community-services charity: multi-departmental Queensland Government grants (Housing, Families, Brisbane City Council, QPS CASM), individual donations tiered $20–$200+, bequests, annual fundraising events (Gala on the Green, Daggy Jumper Day, febfast, Burpees for BYS), and corporate partnerships providing both cash (Officeworks Round Up, Ian Potter Foundation) and in-kind support (MinterEllison pro bono legal, UQ dental, Lendlease property refreshes, The Calile Hotel venue). All services to young people are free at point of use.

BYS's go-to-market is referral- and outreach-led rather than commercial sales: walk-in service at the Youth Support Centre (1–4pm weekdays), phone appointments, street outreach in Brisbane CBD targeting rough sleepers, and a network of school, community-service and government referral partners. Fundraising is driven through community events, corporate partnerships, individual donors, and planned-giving programs. The organisation is governed by an independent board (chaired by Helen Wood), led by CEO Pam Barker, with high-profile AFL figure Steve Renouf as Patron, and reports outcome metrics including an 82% reduction in homelessness and an 86% decrease in unsafe housing among young people after accessing support.

Name

Brisbane Youth Service

Legal name

Brisbane Youth Service Limited

Website

https://brisyouth.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Brisbane Youth Service is a non-profit charity providing free crisis, housing, health, and family support services to approximately 3,000 young people aged 12–25 experiencing or at risk of homelessness annually in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Homelessness and Community Social Services

NAICS

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

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Behavioral Health for Children & Adolescents (Youth Services) (HLAFACAL)

Keywords

• Youth homelessness services
• Crisis housing support
• Youth community health
• Family violence support
• Homeless youth outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Fortitude Valley

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants and Funding: BYS receives funding from government departments including Department of Housing and Public Works, Department of Families, Seniors, Disability Services and Child Safety, Brisbane City Council, and Queensland Police Service (CASM program) to deliver homelessness support, housing, and youth services.
2. Individual Donations: Individual donations from supporters through the donate page, direct mail campaigns, and fundraising appeals. Donation amounts range from $20 to $200+ with specific impact descriptions for each tier.
3. Fundraising Events: Annual fundraising events including Daggy Jumper Day, Gala on the Green, Burpees for BYS, and febfast that engage community supporters and corporate partners to raise funds.
4. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with corporate organisations for sponsorships, pro bono services, volunteer programs, and cause marketing campaigns such as Officeworks Round Up program.
5. Bequests and Planned Giving: Leave a Gift in Your Will program allowing supporters to include BYS in their estate planning.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Brisbane Youth Service provides free, confidential, wraparound support for young people aged 12-25 (and their children) experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Brisbane. Core offerings include crisis and immediate support, supported and transitional housing (Windsor House, Phoenix House, Sandgate House), bulk-billed health services (GP, mental health, drug/alcohol, pop-up dental), specialist programs for young women, young parents and families, and education/employment pathways.

Product overview

Brisbane Youth Service offers a comprehensive suite of free, confidential support services for young people aged 12-25 experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The service operates as an integrated model combining crisis intervention and emergency accommodation (Crisis & Immediate Support, Housing Services with Windsor House, Phoenix House, and Sandgate House), health services (medical clinic, mental health, drug and alcohol support, and pop-up dental clinics), and specialised programs (Safe Young Mums and Bubs Program, Positive Transitions Program for employment and training, Sustaining Young Tenancies Program, and Street Outreach). Additional support includes young women-specific services, family support, and relationship/dFV services. The organisation also runs awareness campaigns including Daggy Jumper Day during Homelessness Week and annual fundraising events like Gala on the Green.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Crisis & Immediate Support Emergency intervention service for young people aged 12-25 in crisis, including walk-in support, crisis accommodation, emergency relief (food, transport), and referrals to other services.
• Housing Services Accommodation services including fully supported housing (Windsor House, Phoenix House, Sandgate House), transitional housing, and emergency accommodation for young people aged 12-25 experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• Health Services Comprehensive free health services for young people aged 12-25 including GP consultations, mental health support, drug and alcohol intervention, and pop-up dental clinics four times per year in partnership with UQ School of Dentistry.
• Young Women Support Services Specialist services for young women aged 12-25 including dedicated women's workers, safe women's spaces, and programs addressing domestic and family violence, intimate partner violence, and sexual violence.
• Safe Young Mums and Bubs Program Specialised accommodation and intensive wraparound support program for young mothers or pregnant people experiencing homelessness and domestic, family or sexual violence, and their babies.
• Family Support Support services for young parents including individualised support, parenting groups, and a program for young dads, helping families stay connected and build parenting skills.
• Relationship Support Services addressing domestic, family, and sexual violence, including youth DFV advocate support and programs helping young people navigate healthy relationships.
• Positive Transitions Program Employment and training support program helping young people build confidence and work toward education, training, and employment goals, including an annual Employment and Training Expo.
• Sustaining Young Tenancies Program Support program helping young people sustain social housing tenancies through partnership between support staff, young tenants and housing providers, focusing on tenancy rights, responsibilities, and practical life skills.
• Street Outreach Program Outreach services targeting vulnerable rough sleeping young people in Brisbane CBD, providing harm minimisation strategies and facilitating access to safe accommodation.
• Art for Change Program Eight-week art therapy program for young people, particularly those identifying as LGBTQI+, providing a space to express feelings about change and build engagement resources.
• Youth Wellbeing Check-In App Digital engagement application developed through the Optus Future Makers Grant Program to support young people's digital engagement and wellbeing check-ins.

Quantifiable outcome

• 82% decrease in young people's rates of homelessness after accessing BYS support
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary and minor.

• MinterEllisoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with major Australian law firm providing pro bono legal support to BYS. MinterEllison also runs an annual winter clerkship program where clerks create care packages for young people supported by BYS. Firm staff volunteer time and provide ongoing legal assistance.
• Property Industry Foundation (PIF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to develop additional housing for young people on Queensland Government GLASS land. Combination of one and two-bedroom units being constructed on Sandgate Rd at Toombul for supported housing of young people and young families. Construction planned to commence 2019.
• Brisbane City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud supporter of the Positive Transitions Program which helps young people build confidence and work toward education, training, and employment goals. Council provides funding and support for this employment and training expo initiative.
• University of Queensland School of DentistrysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver pop-up dental clinics four times per year at BYS Hub. UQ helped establish the clinic with donor support. Dental services include check-ups, fillings, cleans, and oral health advice provided by volunteer dental professionals.
• Officeworks MiltonsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerRound Up to Make a Difference campaign where Officeworks customers round up purchases to nearest dollar with extra donated to BYS. Campaign aimed at raising $5,000 to support vulnerable young people with peer activities and school resources.
• Rochele PaintingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPainting with Purpose community goodwill project providing free painting services to benefit people impacted by financial hardship. Donated over $4,000 worth of painting services for BYS Winstanley St property.
• GIFTS (Riverlife Baptist Church)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity volunteer team of 27 volunteers who painted Phoenix House property at Carina. Represents ongoing relationship with church outreach team giving back to youth services.
• LendleaseminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate team refresh of Sandgate House property, providing renovation support for one of BYS's fully supported accommodation services.
• The Calile HotelsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerLuxury boutique hotel venue hosting Gala on the Green charity event. First external event hosted at the hotel's grand ballroom, helping raise over $130,000 for BYS since 2011.
• Foot Locker AustraliaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerWeek of Greatness campaign bringing together BYS and Brisbane Bullets for behind-the-scenes experience for young residents from Windsor and Phoenix housing programs. Includes player visits, gift vouchers, and $1,500 donation.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Frontyard (Melbourne City Mission): Melbourne-based specialist youth homelessness service offering crisis accommodation, housing, health, and family support to young people aged 15-25. Direct peer in service model, demographic focus, and integrated wraparound delivery to BYS.
• Launch Housing: Specialist homelessness organisation in Melbourne providing crisis, transitional, and youth-specific accommodation plus outreach and support services. Direct peer in scope of housing-led homelessness response for vulnerable populations including young people.
• Lighthouse Foundation: Melbourne-based nonprofit providing long-term supported accommodation and wraparound care specifically for young people aged 16-22 experiencing homelessness. Highly comparable in mission (youth-only focus) and intensive residential support model.
• Micah Projects: Brisbane-based nonprofit delivering homelessness, mental health, and community support services including to young people and families. Direct geographic peer with overlapping service lines in crisis accommodation and outreach.
• Youth Off The Streets: National Australian charity supporting young people facing disadvantage, including homelessness, through accommodation, education, and community programs. Direct peer in youth-at-risk focus and broad wraparound service mix.

Regional players

• Parkerville Children and Youth Care: Western Australia-based nonprofit providing therapeutic residential care, youth homelessness support, and family services. Regional peer with comparable youth accommodation and wraparound support model.
• Youth and Family Services (YFS) Logan: South-East Queensland nonprofit delivering youth homelessness support, family services, and community programs. Regional peer operating similar service mix in an adjacent Queensland catchment.

Broad incumbents

• Anglicare Australia: National network of Anglican social service agencies operating homelessness, youth, and family support programs including specialist youth accommodation. Broad incumbent with overlapping client base and similar funding mix.
• The Salvation Army Australia: National organisation providing homelessness, crisis accommodation, and youth services across Australia. Broad incumbent in the homelessness sector with overlapping service offerings but at significantly greater scale and geographic reach.
• Mission Australia: Large national NGO operating homelessness, housing, and youth services across Australia. Comparable as a funder, referrer, and broader-scope incumbent in the same homelessness-and-youth sector as BYS.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/brisyouth
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brisbane-youth-service

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 Brisbane Youth Service