the buttery
The Buttery is a 50-year-old Australian charity operating a residential therapeutic community and regional outreach network across Northern NSW, providing alcohol and other drug rehabilitation, mental health support, family services, and crisis intervention funded primarily by government contracts and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1973
- HeadquartersBinna Burra, Australia
- Headcount—
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What the buttery does
The Buttery is a registered Australian charity and therapeutic community founded in 1973 in Binna Burra, New South Wales, delivering mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) rehabilitation services across Northern NSW from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie. Its service architecture centers on a 7.5-month residential Therapeutic Community program at the Binna Burra campus (up to 33 residents) using a three-stage model that integrates 12-step philosophy with cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, schema therapy, mindfulness, psychodynamic therapy, solution-focused counselling, and relapse prevention, compliant with NSW Health AOD Psychosocial Interventions Professional Practice Guidelines. The residential core is complemented by a broad portfolio of outreach and community-based programs: Drug & Alcohol Treatment Program (DATP), Mental Health Services, Family/Carers & Friends Support, Youth programs (BCOY), CORE Parents and CORE Young People day rehabilitation, the Nimbin AOD Hub, Withdrawal Management Program, HASI-PLUS housing support, Post Custodial Support, The Way Back psychosocial support, Redress Support Service, and Safe Haven North Coast (non-clinical crisis support across Lismore, Mullumbimby, Woodburn, and Murwillumbah).
The organization is funded primarily through government contracts from NSW Ministry of Health and Healthy North Coast PHN, supplemented by tax-deductible donations, bequests, and corporate philanthropy. Program fees for residential participants are set at 85% of a full Centrelink benefit, with an optional priority entry fee for non-funded beds. Go-to-market is community-led and direct-to-consumer: most participants self-refer via word-of-mouth, web presence, or recommendations from ex-residents, with additional referrals from doctors, drug and alcohol agencies, and community counsellors. Approximately 50% of staff have lived experience of recovery, a structural feature of the talent model. Operations span nine locations across Northern NSW, with recent expansion into Coffs Harbour (February 2026) and a new co-located partnership at the Nimbin AOD Hub (January 2026).
Growth is driven by service-line expansion rather than residential capacity increases: new program launches in 2025-2026 include Recovery & Beyond (a digital self-reflection journal program), the CORE Parent Program, and funding extensions for Safe Haven. The organization's 50+ year operating history, cultural recognition (referenced in Paul Kelly's song 'To Her Door'), and multi-regional footprint constitute its principal competitive differentiators in a sector where trust, accreditation, and government relationships are decisive.
the buttery firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- the buttery
- Legal name
- The Buttery
- Website
- https://buttery.org.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1973
- Operating status
- Operating
- Short description
- The Buttery is a 50-year-old Australian charity operating a residential therapeutic community and regional outreach network across Northern NSW, providing alcohol and other drug rehabilitation, mental health support, family services, and crisis intervention funded primarily by government contracts and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
the buttery industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Addiction and Mental Health Rehabilitation Services
- NAICS
- Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Individual and Family Services (6241)
- SIC
- Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Residential Mental Health Treatment Centers (HLAFACAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN), Substance Use Disorder Prevention & Recovery Services (BPAGACAE), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH)
Keywords
Where the buttery is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Binna Burra
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices9 records
Markets served
the buttery business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funding: Funded by government organizations to deliver alcohol and other drug treatment programs, mental health services, and support programs. Funding from NSW Ministry of Health, Healthy North Coast PHN, and other government bodies.
- Donations and Philanthropy: Charitable donations from individuals, major gift donors, and corporate partners. All donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible in Australia. Regular giving program available.
- Program Fees: Residential program cost is 85% of a full Centrelink benefit (or equivalent for non-Centrlink participants). Priority entry fee available for those who can pay upfront to access non-funded beds and avoid waitlist.
- Bequests and Wills: Legacy giving program where supporters can leave gifts in their Will to support The Buttery's ongoing work.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | Standard residential program fee based on Centrelink benefit |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
the buttery product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Buttery provides residential and community-based rehabilitation, mental health support, and outreach services for individuals with alcohol, illicit drug, and prescription medication dependence, as well as co-occurring mental health conditions. Core delivery centres on an evidence-based Therapeutic Community at the Binna Burra campus (up to 7.5 months, three stages, up to 33 residents), complemented by mental health residential care, family and carer support, youth programs, day rehabilitation, the Safe Haven non-clinical mental health drop-in service, post-custodial support, and the Redress Support Service across Northern NSW.
Product overview
The Buttery is a charitable organization providing evidence-based residential and outreach programs for mental health and alcohol and other drug rehabilitation. The organization operates a multi-module service architecture centered on its core Therapeutic Community residential program at Binna Burra, which offers comprehensive treatment including group therapy, living skills instruction, art therapy, and 12-step philosophy integration. This core residential service is complemented by a network of specialized programs including Drug & Alcohol Treatment Program (DATP), Mental Health Services, Youth Programs, Family/Carers Support, Community Participation, and Redress Support Service. Additional program modules include CORE Parents and CORE Young People day rehabilitation programs, the Nimbin AOD Hub, Safe Haven North Coast non-clinical mental health support, The Way Back psychosocial support, Post Custodial Support, and HASI-PLUS housing support. Programs span Northern New South Wales from Tweed Heads to Port Macquarie, with residential capacity of up to 33 residents at any time.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Drug & Alcohol Services Residential and outreach programs providing evidence-based treatment for alcohol, illicit drug, and prescription medication dependence, including comprehensive assessments, individual therapy, group therapy, living skills training, art therapy, and 12-step orientation.
- Mental Health Services Programs supporting individuals with mental health conditions, including residential programs, community-based psychosocial support, and crisis intervention for people experiencing emotional distress.
- Family, Carers & Friends Support Counselling and support services for families and carers of individuals affected by addiction or mental health issues, including individual face-to-face and phone support.
- Youth Programs Alcohol and other drug support services designed for young people aged 18+, including outreach, case management, and day rehabilitation programs.
- Community Participation Community-based programs supporting social inclusion and participation for individuals in recovery, including alumni and Fellowship engagement.
- Redress Support Service Support service for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, assisting with National Redress Scheme applications and providing emotional support.
- Therapeutic Community Residential Rehabilitation Program Residential therapeutic community program at Binna Burra providing comprehensive AOD treatment including group therapy, living skills training, art therapy, and 12-step philosophy. Up to 33 residents at a time; program fee 85% of a full Centrelink benefit with priority entry option.
- Safe Haven North Coast Free, drop-in, trauma-informed non-clinical mental health support for individuals experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crisis, Monday–Friday 9am–3pm, delivered in partnership with Healthy North Coast PHN.
- The Way Back Non-clinical psychosocial support service for people and their families who have experienced a suicidal crisis or attempted suicide, delivered by trained Support Coordinators for up to three months.
- Post Custodial Support (PCS) Voluntary drug and alcohol support program helping people released from prison transition back into the community through integrated case management.
- CORE Parent Program (Day Rehabilitation) Free, community-based day rehabilitation program for parents and caregivers managing alcohol or other drug use, held during school terms at the Lismore location.
- Recovery & Beyond Program Self-paced 6-week video journaling program designed to support individuals in recovery, build resilience, gain clarity, improve relationships, and achieve personal goals.
- Outreach Case Management Services Community-based AOD case management and counselling across Northern NSW, with outreach positions in Port Macquarie, Kempsey, and other regional locations.
Quantifiable outcome
- Nearly 19,000 people supported by Safe Haven North Coast since July 2022
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use the buttery
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
the buttery technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
the buttery partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Nimbin Neighbourhood & Information Centre (NNIC)coreCo-located partnership at the Nimbin AOD Hub. NNIC employs a Clinical Care Navigator who works as part of the Buttery-led Nimbin AOD Hub alongside partner services. This partnership provides integrated access to alcohol and other drug, health, and social supports through coordinated, person-centered care.
- Healthy North CoastcorePartnership with Healthy North Coast (PHN) to deliver Safe Haven North Coast initiative across four Northern Rivers locations - Lismore, Mullumbimby, Woodburn, and Murwillumbah. Funded by NSW Ministry of Health and commissioned by Healthy North Coast. Safe Haven provides trauma-informed, culturally safe, non-clinical support for individuals experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crisis.
- Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies (NADA)minorIndustry peak body representing non-government alcohol and other drug organisations in NSW. The Buttery participates in NADA's CDAT program and received Excellence in Community Development Award.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights6 records
the buttery competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Odyssey House NSW: Odyssey House NSW provides residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation, therapeutic-community programs and psychosocial support. Its long-stay recovery model and co-occurring mental-health focus make it a direct analogue to The Buttery.
- We Help Ourselves: We Help Ourselves is an Australian AOD nonprofit operating residential therapeutic communities and recovery services, including NSW programs. Its residential peer and community orientation closely matches The Buttery's core program.
- The Glen: The Glen is a residential alcohol and drug rehabilitation provider on the NSW Central Coast with structured long-stay treatment. It competes for similar residents and referral relationships, although its organizational and funding model differs.
- Lives Lived Well: Lives Lived Well provides alcohol and other drug and mental-health treatment across community and residential settings in Australia. Its combination of recovery treatment, counselling and family and youth support is comparable to The Buttery's multi-service model.
Broad incumbents
- The Salvation Army Recovery Services: The Salvation Army Recovery Services operates alcohol and drug recovery, homelessness and community-support programs across Australia through a broad welfare network. It is a broad incumbent with overlapping rehabilitation, mental-health and vulnerable-population services.
- Uniting NSW.ACT: Uniting NSW.ACT provides mental-health, AOD, housing, disability and crisis-support services across a large regional network. It overlaps with The Buttery's service portfolio but serves a much broader geography and range of needs.
- Mission Australia: Mission Australia is a national nonprofit spanning homelessness, mental health, youth and AOD support, often through government and community partnerships. Its broad service mix and vulnerable-population focus are comparable, though it is less specialized in residential rehabilitation.
Emerging players
- Neami National: Neami National delivers community-based psychosocial support, suicide-prevention and recovery-oriented mental-health services. It is comparable to The Buttery's Safe Haven and mental-health outreach work, though it is not primarily a residential AOD operator.
- Wellways: Wellways provides mental-health, suicide-prevention, disability and community-support services across Australia. It is a meaningful partial peer for The Buttery's Safe Haven and psychosocial outreach work, but does not primarily operate the same residential AOD model.
Regional players
- Turning Point: Turning Point is an Australian addiction-treatment, research and workforce organization with clinical and community AOD services, primarily in Victoria. It is relevant for the addiction specialty and clinical capabilities but serves a different regional market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
the buttery social profiles
Digital presencethe buttery compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
the buttery financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
the buttery leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
the buttery funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
the buttery 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 the buttery
What does the buttery do?
The Buttery provides residential and community-based rehabilitation, mental health support, and outreach services for individuals with alcohol, illicit drug, and prescription medication dependence, as well as co-occurring mental health conditions. Core delivery centres on an evidence-based Therapeutic Community at the Binna Burra campus (up to 7.5 months, three stages, up to 33 residents), complemented by mental health residential care, family and carer support, youth programs, day rehabilitation, the Safe Haven non-clinical mental health drop-in service, post-custodial support, and the Redress Support Service across Northern NSW.
Is the buttery a public or private company?
the buttery is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was the buttery founded?
the buttery was founded in 1973.
Where is the buttery based?
the buttery is headquartered in Binna Burra, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does the buttery make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Government Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations and Philanthropy, program Fees and bequests and Wills.
Who are the buttery's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Odyssey House NSW, We Help Ourselves, The Glen and Lives Lived Well. Broad incumbents are The Salvation Army Recovery Services, Uniting NSW.ACT and Mission Australia. Emerging players are Neami National and Wellways. Turning Point is listed as a regional player.
Does the buttery have an API?
No public API is recorded for the buttery.
What industry is the buttery in?
the buttery's product category is Addiction and Mental Health Rehabilitation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAFACAC, Residential Mental Health Treatment Centers, with a secondary code of HLAFACAN, Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services. Its NAICS code is 623220 and its SIC code is 8093.