Variety Australia
Variety Australia is a national non-profit children's charity providing grants, programs, and fundraising events for children with sickness, disability, or disadvantage, operating across all Australian states and territories for over 50 years.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1974
- HeadquartersArtarmon, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Variety Australia does
Variety Australia is a registered Australian children's charity (Variety Australia Ltd, ABN 55 891 232 898) that supports children facing sickness, disability, and disadvantage through grants, programs, and fundraising events. Founded in 1974 and operating for over 50 years, it is affiliated with Variety International, which operates in 14 countries, and is structured as a federated network of separately incorporated state and territory associations (NSW/ACT, NT, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC, WA) with eight physical offices across Australia. Its charitable activity is organized around three core programs — Care (essential health equipment, therapy, and family assistance), Freedom (adaptive mobility devices), and Future (skills development, education, and scholarships) — supplemented by flagship sub-programs including the Variety Bash, Brats Bash, Toy Bank, Variety SHINE, Hair with Heart, Bikes for Kids, and the Variety Heart Scholarship Program.
Variety Australia does not operate on a proprietary technology platform; its operational infrastructure consists of standard third-party SaaS for fundraising (Funraisin) and donation processing (The Giving Block / Gemini for cryptocurrency). It generates no product or service revenue, relying entirely on donations, fundraising events, corporate partnerships, and workplace giving. Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible under its DGR and ACNC-registered status. The organization serves a diversified donor base including individual givers, workplace giving participants, corporate partners (John Sands, Tyres & More, Yokohama Australia), and emerging crypto/Web3 funders (Nouns DAO), with grant recipients drawn from families of children with disability, illness, or disadvantage across all Australian states and territories.
Variety Australia firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Variety Australia
- Legal name
- Variety Australia Ltd
- Website
- https://variety.org.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1974
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Variety Australia is a national non-profit children's charity providing grants, programs, and fundraising events for children with sickness, disability, or disadvantage, operating across all Australian states and territories for over 50 years.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Variety Australia industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Children's Charity Services
- NAICS
- Other Similar Organizations (except Business, Professional, Labor, and Political Organizations) (813990)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Special Needs Sick-Day Backup Childcare (HSAAAJAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Special Needs & Inclusive Learning Trade (Dyslexia, ADHD, ASD Supports) (EDAGAIAL)
Keywords
Where Variety Australia is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Artarmon
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices9 records
Markets served
Variety Australia business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting children in need. Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible in Australia. Individuals can make one-time donations, regular monthly contributions, or set up workplace giving deductions directly from pre-tax pay.
- Cryptocurrency Donations: Variety accepts over 100 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others through The Giving Block platform. Cryptocurrency donations are immediately converted to fiat currency and provide potential capital gains tax advantages for donors.
- Event Fundraising: Revenue generated from signature fundraising events including Variety Bash, Brats Bash, Rally Around Victoria, Run Melbourne, and other motoring and community events. Participants raise funds through personal fundraising pages and corporate sponsorships.
- Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with corporate sponsors who provide financial contributions, in-kind support (such as tyres, vehicles), and employee matching programs. Examples include Tyres & More and Yokohama Australia ($50,000 annual contribution), and John Sands (over $400,000 donated through Christmas card sales).
- Workplace Giving: Employers facilitate employee donations deducted directly from pre-tax salary. Employees receive immediate tax benefits without requiring receipts. Some employers match employee donations to double impact.
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Variety Australia product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Variety Australia is a registered children's charity that delivers grants, programs, scholarships, and fundraising events to children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage, or living with disability across Australia. Its work is organized under three core programs — Care (essential health equipment and therapy), Freedom (adaptive mobility devices), and Future (education and skills development) — complemented by scholarships, community grants, the Toy Bank crisis-relief program, and signature motoring and community fundraising events.
Product overview
Variety Australia operates as a children's charity with a portfolio of grant programs, scholarships, and fundraising events delivered through three core program areas: Care (health equipment and therapy), Freedom (adaptive mobility devices), and Future (education and skills development). The organization offers individual and community grants, operates a Bikes for Kids program, provides Heart Scholarships in sport and arts, and runs signature fundraising events including the Variety Bash, Brats Bash, and Rally Around Victoria. Additional programs include Toy Bank (WA), Variety SHINE education program, and cryptocurrency/NFT donation capabilities. The organization accepts donations via traditional methods, cryptocurrency, workplace giving, and hair donations through Hair with Heart.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Toy Bank: A Variety WA initiative that has collected and distributed new toys to children in crisis across Western Australia since 1994, reaching 40+ refuges and crisis services annually.
- Variety Scholarship Program
- Good Surf
- Variety Bash
- Variety Heart Scholarship
Products and services
- Care Program Charitable program helping children access essential health equipment, therapy, well-being support, and family assistance. Fills gaps where other systems (including NDIS) fall short, ensuring children receive necessary care and support.
- Freedom Program Charitable program providing children with disabilities adaptive mobility devices and tools (such as wheelchairs and adaptive bikes) to navigate their world independently, enabling them to play, learn, and experience childhood joys.
- Future Program Charitable program equipping children for long-term success through skills development, education (including the SHINE intensive learning support initiative), and community support to open doors to opportunities for growth.
- Individual Grants Direct grants awarded to individual children and families to access specialized equipment, therapy, and support services for children with disability, chronic illness, geographic isolation, or financial hardship.
- Community Grants Grants awarded to community organizations and programs to support children in need, funding equipment, programs, and initiatives at the organizational level (e.g., Good Surf, Motor Mouth Camp).
- Variety Heart Scholarships Scholarship program supporting talented young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue passions in sport and arts, covering coaching, equipment, tuition, travel, and development opportunities. Includes Excellence in Sport and Excellence in the Arts streams, with awards typically ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.
- Toy Bank Variety WA program collecting and distributing new toys to children in crisis across Western Australia. Toys are delivered to women's refuges, crisis accommodation services, and community organizations, reaching 40+ refuges and crisis services annually.
- Cryptocurrency Donations Donation channel accepting over 100 cryptocurrencies including Bitcoin and Ethereum through The Giving Block platform, with automatic conversion to fiat currency. Provides potential capital gains tax advantages for donors and has processed major grants such as $47,479 USDC from Nouns DAO.
- Variety Bash Australia's longest-running charity motoring adventure event. Convoy of creatively themed vehicles traveling through outback tracks and remote communities over multiple days, raising funds for children in need. Operated as separate state-level Bashes (NSW, QLD, SA, VIC, WA).
- Workplace Giving Program Program enabling employees to make regular pre-tax donations directly from payroll, providing ongoing reliable funding for children and families. Some employers match employee donations to double impact.
- Hair with Heart Hair donation program where donated hair is used to create wigs for children who have lost their hair due to medical treatment, helping restore confidence and a sense of self.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5,000+ children and 3,000 carers served at single Xmas party event
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Variety Australia
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Variety Australia technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Variety Australia partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.
- Toyworld ClaremontminorRetail partner for Toy Bank Lunch 2026. For guests unable to bring a toy, Variety WA purchases one through Toyworld Claremont to be included in the collection on their behalf.
- Purple Hands FoundationcorePartnership for Kimberley 9s program held on Cable Beach in Broome. Combines football with school attendance incentives for students from remote communities. Purple Hands Foundation shares Variety's vision of giving every child opportunity to learn, belong and succeed.
- Fremantle DockersminorAFL club providing support and mentorship for Kimberley 9s program. Players and staff participate as mentors, helping students build pride and connection. Program combines football energy with education and cultural connection.
- Tyres & More and Yokohama AustraliacoreNational partnership now in its second year. T&M Holdings and Yokohama Australia provide annual contribution of $50,000 plus donated Yokohama tyres and expert fitting for Variety vehicles. Partnership supports delivery of programs, grants and support across Australia, helping reduce operational costs so more funds go directly to helping kids.
- Backpacks 4 SA KidsminorPartnership to deliver backpacks containing essential clothing, toiletries and comfort items to displaced children aged 0-18 in South Australia during difficult times. Supported through Tyres & More and Yokohama Australia partnership.
- Variety InternationalcoreAffiliation with Variety International connects Australian Variety to a global network operating in 14 countries. Each international Variety Association is an independent organization licensed to use the Variety name and trademarks.
- Nouns DAOflagshipCrypto DAO partnership. Nouns DAO provided $47,479 USDC (approx. $72,000 AUD) to fund the Variety Kids Xmas Party serving 5,000 children. In 2024, Nouns DAO funded the Variety Bash road trip. Largest crypto philanthropy activation ever held in Australia. Partnership demonstrates commitment to public good using blockchain technology.
- The Giving BlockcoreCryptocurrency donation processing platform. Variety accepts over 100 cryptocurrencies through The Giving Block widget. Platform processes donations quickly, provides automatic tax receipts, and enables crypto-to-fiat conversion. Custody and liquidity provided by Gemini Trust Exchange.
- Gemini Trust ExchangecoreLicensed trust company providing secure custody and liquidity for cryptocurrency donations. Regulated by NY State Department of Financial Services. Part of the crypto donation infrastructure enabling Variety to accept digital assets.
- John SandscoreMore than decade-long partnership where John Sands releases an annual Christmas card range. A portion of every purchase directly supports children living with disability, illness or disadvantage. John Sands has donated more than $400,000 to Variety, funding essential equipment, communication tools, therapies and programs. Available at leading retailers.
- Women's Council for Domestic and Family Violence ServicescorePartnership for Toy Bank program distribution. The council helps distribute toys to refuges and crisis services across Western Australia, including regional and remote communities. Ensures toys reach children who have arrived at refuges as a result of domestic violence or acute family crisis.
Scale indicators12 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Variety Australia competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Australian Red Cross: Major humanitarian charity with broad mandate including support for vulnerable families and children. Comparable as a large national charity with corporate partnerships, workplace giving, and event fundraising at scale.
- Salvation Army Australia: Large established charity addressing disadvantage across Australia including children's services. Comparable as a major Australian fundraising charity with national reach, though broader in mission beyond children.
Direct peers
- Make-A-Wish Australia: Grants wishes to children with critical illnesses. Directly comparable to Variety in serving sick/disabled children through individualized grant experiences, with similar signature events and corporate partnership models.
- Barnardos Australia: National children's charity supporting children in out-of-home care, early learning, and family support. Comparable in mission (children facing disadvantage) and operational model (state-based services, donor-funded).
- Camp Quality: Supports children facing cancer through camps, family programs, and education. Directly comparable in serving children impacted by serious illness with programs, family support, and community-based fundraising.
- Starlight Children's Foundation: Australian children's charity focused on sick kids in hospitals, providing entertainment, distraction, and wish-granting. Comparable in target beneficiary (sick children) and signature event/partner fundraising model.
- Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia: Supports families with seriously ill children through accommodation and family room programs. Comparable in mission (sick children), national footprint, and corporate partnership-driven fundraising model.
- The Smith Family: Australia's largest children's education-focused charity, providing scholarships and learning support to disadvantaged children. Directly comparable to Variety's scholarship and educational support programs, with similar scale and national footprint.
- Variety International: Parent organization of Variety Australia, operating 14 country chapters globally. Directly comparable as the umbrella entity and global licensor, with shared brand, trademarks, and program frameworks.
Regional players
- Children's Cancer Foundation: Australian charity focused on children with cancer. Comparable in supporting sick children with grants for medical equipment and family assistance, though narrower in disease focus than Variety.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Variety Australia social profiles
Digital presenceVariety Australia compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Variety Australia financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Variety Australia leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Variety Australia subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries7 records
Variety Australia funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Variety Australia M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Variety Australia
What does Variety Australia do?
Variety Australia is a registered children's charity that delivers grants, programs, scholarships, and fundraising events to children who are sick, experiencing disadvantage, or living with disability across Australia. Its work is organized under three core programs — Care (essential health equipment and therapy), Freedom (adaptive mobility devices), and Future (education and skills development) — complemented by scholarships, community grants, the Toy Bank crisis-relief program, and signature motoring and community fundraising events.
Is Variety Australia a public or private company?
Variety Australia is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Variety Australia founded?
Variety Australia was founded in 1974. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Variety Australia based?
Variety Australia is headquartered in Artarmon, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Variety Australia make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are cryptocurrency Donations, event Fundraising, corporate Partnerships and workplace Giving.
Who are Variety Australia's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Australian Red Cross and Salvation Army Australia. Direct peers are Make-A-Wish Australia, Barnardos Australia, Camp Quality, Starlight Children's Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia, The Smith Family and Variety International. Children's Cancer Foundation is listed as a regional player.
Does Variety Australia have an API?
No public API is recorded for Variety Australia.
What industry is Variety Australia in?
Variety Australia's product category is Children's Charity Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSAAAJAK, Special Needs Sick-Day Backup Childcare, with a secondary code of EDAGAIAL, Special Needs & Inclusive Learning Trade (Dyslexia, ADHD, ASD Supports). Its NAICS code is 813990 and its SIC code is 7900.