Surviving the Silly Season: Easy Cleaning Tips for a Tidy Home
The Christmas season is a beautiful time of year. Families visit, friends drop by, kids are home from school and the days are filled with celebrations, shared meals and precious moments. But with all the joy comes the reality that the house can get messy very quickly. For many people, especially older Australians, NDIS participants, parents and carers, December can feel like a juggling act. There is food to prepare, visitors to manage, presents to wrap and appointments to fit in, all while trying to keep the home tidy and welcoming.
The good news is that the house does not need to be perfect to feel comfortable. With a few smart routines and low-effort cleaning tricks, you can keep your home looking fresh throughout the holidays without spending hours scrubbing and organising. Here are some of the best time-saving tips that help reduce stress, keep things running smoothly and make your home a warm, inviting space during the busiest time of year.
How Cleaning and Support Services Can Help You Start 2026 on the Right Foot
As the year comes to a close, many of us find ourselves reflecting on what worked well, what felt overwhelming, and what we would like to change in the year ahead. For older Australians, people living with disability, and families who provide care, these reflections are more than a yearly ritual. A safe, clean and well-supported home can make everyday life easier, safer and more enjoyable.
At Sistability, we see every day how domestic cleaning, gardening and in-home support can transform the way people live. As a social enterprise, our work goes beyond tasks. It is about helping people stay safe, maintain dignity and feel genuinely supported. With 2026 approaching, now is the perfect time to think about how a little extra help could make next year calmer, more organised and more enjoyable.
Care With Purpose: The Journey to Social Enterprise and Our Vision for 2026
In 2025, Sistability reached an important milestone in our journey: we became a certified social enterprise. For us, this was not a marketing label or a strategic pivot. It was the formal recognition of who we have always been at heart. From day one, Sistability has existed to support people who are often overlooked, create meaningful employment for those who need a hand up, and deliver care with dignity, fairness, and respect.
Now, as we move into 2026, becoming a social enterprise is more than a badge we wear. It is a promise to our clients, partners, staff, and the entire Northern Rivers community that we will continue to put people first. It is a commitment to purpose, not just profit, and to quality care, not shortcuts.
The Real Gift of Christmas: Quality Time, Connection & Care for Our Seniors
Christmas is a time filled with warmth, generosity, and connection - but for many older Australians, it can also be a time of quiet loneliness, reflection, or emotional overwhelm. As families gather and the year comes to a close, the festive season becomes a powerful reminder of how important human connection truly is.
At Sistability, we see this every day in the homes of the seniors we support. Whether it’s a brief chat over a cup of tea or helping someone prepare their home for visiting family, these small, genuine moments of companionship can carry more meaning than any wrapped gift. This Christmas, the real gift we can offer our seniors isn’t something you can buy - it’s time, presence, and care.
Year End Deep Clean for a Safe, Cool & Comfortable Summer
As the year draws to a close and the warmer months roll in across the Northern Rivers, many families, support coordinators, and aged care providers start thinking about how to help clients stay safe, cool, and comfortable at home. For older Australians, people with disability, or anyone managing health concerns, summer can bring additional risks such as heat stress, dehydration, mould growth, and increased fatigue.
A thoughtful year-end deep clean can make a world of difference. It helps reset the home, remove hazards, improve airflow, and create a fresh, cool foundation for the season ahead. At Sistability, we see this as more than just cleaning, it’s about safety, dignity, and supporting people to live confidently in their own home during the hottest time of year.
How to Get the Most from Your Support at Home Program
From 1 November 2025, the Australian Government will roll out the new Support at Home Program, which will replace the current Home Care Package (HCP) and Commonwealth Home Support programs.
The goal is to make the system simpler, more flexible, and fairer for older Australians — giving you greater choice in how you use your funding. But like any new system, it pays to understand how it works so you can make every dollar count.
At Sistability, we believe your support should work for you — helping you live safely, comfortably, and independently at home. Here’s how to make sure it does.
Why a Clean Home Is an Essential Care Need, Not a Luxury
When people think about “care,” they often picture medical appointments, medication management, or mobility aids. But there’s another side of care that’s just as important — and often overlooked.
It’s the comfort and safety that come from living in a clean, well-maintained home.
At Sistability, we see every day how much a tidy, hygienic space can improve someone’s wellbeing — not just physically, but emotionally too. For older Australians and people living with disability, cleanliness isn’t a luxury. It’s a fundamental part of care.
The Ripple Effect: How Your Clean Home Creates Local Change
When you book a cleaning or support service, it’s easy to think you’re just getting a sparkling kitchen or a tidier home. But when you book with a social enterprise like Sistability, you’re doing something much bigger — you’re helping change lives right here in the Northern Rivers.
A social enterprise is a business built for purpose, not just profit. It exists to make a meaningful difference — using trade, training, and community connection as tools for good.
No Need to Stress: Understanding the New Aged Care Reforms Coming This November
Big changes are coming to Australia’s aged care system on 1 November 2025 — and if you or a loved one are hoping to access support at home, now is the time to act.
The new reforms will completely reshape how aged care funding and services are delivered, and while they promise to simplify the system in the long run, the transition period may cause some delays and confusion.
At Sistability, we’ve helped many older Australians across the Northern Rivers understand My Aged Care, apply for home care packages, and organise trusted services that make life easier at home. Our advice right now? Don’t wait until November to start. Getting your application in early can help you avoid disruption and ensure you’re set up before the new system takes effect.
What to Look For in a Home Care Provider: Choosing the Right Support for You or Your Loved One
Choosing a Home Care Package (HCP) provider is one of the most important decisions you’ll make for yourself or a loved one. The right provider does more than deliver services – they become a trusted partner in helping you live independently, safely, and with dignity. With so many options out there, it can feel overwhelming to know who to choose.
To make things easier, here are some key things to look for when deciding on a home care provider.
Deep Clean vs Spring Clean: what’s the difference - and which do you need?
Not sure whether to book a spring clean or a deep clean? You’re not alone. Both leave your home feeling fresher, but they serve different purposes and suit different stages of life.
Here’s a clear guide—written with Northern Rivers homes in mind—to help you decide.
Thinking of Switching Your Home Care Package Provider?
If your Home Care Package (HCP) isn’t delivering what you need—missed visits, long phone queues, or feeling like a number not a person—you’re not stuck.
Switching providers is your right, and done well, it can unlock better support, better value, and a better everyday life at home. Here’s what you stand to gain by moving your HCP to Sistability—and how we make the change simple.
Morning Tea at Oaktree Village in Goonellabah: Connecting with Seniors
On Friday, August 1st, Sistability had the privilege of hosting a wonderful morning tea at Oaktree Village in Goonellabah. It was a fantastic opportunity for local older Australians to gather, learn, and engage with our team on the important topic of aged care.
The morning tea saw a great turnout of residents, all eager to understand how the aged care system works and how they can navigate it. Jenn, our experienced Aged Care Manager, led a highly informative and engaging presentation. She offered valuable insights into the various services available to seniors, how to start the journey with My Aged Care, and the different types of home care packages.
Sistability Takes Home Two Awards at the 2025 Ballina Business Awards!
We’re still buzzing from Saturday night’s incredible celebration at the 2025 Ballina Business Awards—and we couldn’t be more proud of the recognition Sistability received. On that exciting evening, our small but mighty team was honoured with TWO awards:
🏆 Employer of Choice (under 20 employees)
🏆 Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion
These awards are more than just trophies on a shelf—they’re a reflection of everything Sistability stands for and everything we’ve worked so hard to achieve since our founding. As a company that was built on heart, hard work, and a deep mission to do things differently, this recognition means the world to us.
Understanding Government-Funded Aged Care in Australia (And How to Access It)
Trying to navigate Australia’s aged care system? Whether you need basic help around the house or ongoing support, there are government-funded programmes designed to keep you living safely and independently at home. In this blog, we explain the different types of aged care support — like CHSP and Home Care Packages — and show you exactly how to get started.
Navigating Aged Care Pathways at the SALT Expo in Ballina
On Saturday, 26 July 2025, the Sistability team joined the SALT Expo in Ballina at the Richmond Room of the Ballina Ex‑Services Club. Jenn, our Aged Care Manager, and Nic, our Services Manager, welcomed over 120 local residents—many of whom were part of Ballina’s ageing community—to explore their aged care options.
Cleaning for Life’s Changes: Understanding Transition Cleaning
Transition cleaning is a deep, supportive cleaning service tailored to people experiencing a major life transition. It might look similar to an end-of-lease or vacate clean on the surface—but the intention, delivery, and client support are very different.
Why It’s More Important Than Ever to Apply Early for a Home Care Package
If you or a loved one are starting to need support to remain safe, comfortable, and independent at home, the most important thing you can do right now is apply early for a Home Care Package (HCP).
With waitlists hitting record highs and a system under enormous pressure, getting in early isn’t just smart—it’s essential. Delays can have serious consequences for health, safety, and quality of life.
Here’s why you shouldn’t wait.
A Heartwarming Visit to Riverbend Retirement Village
On June 11th, our team at Sistability had the pleasure of visiting the wonderful residents of Riverbend Retirement Village. This special visit was an opportunity to connect with the community, share how we can support their aged care journey, and enjoy a morning of meaningful conversations. The day was filled with warmth, delicious treats, and a sense of camaraderie that exemplifies the heart of what Sistability is all about.