Navigate the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) with our Resources

Every year as Christmas rolls around, we’re hit with the same question: What do mums actually want for Christmas? And every year we seem to fall back on candles, pyjamas, bath bombs, shopping vouchers, slippers, or something novelty-shaped that will be forgotten by February.

But ask most mums (really ask them), and you’ll hear a very different answer:

“I just want the house cleaned.”

It’s not glamorous. It’s not shiny. And it probably won’t appear on a Christmas gift guide curated by a big-box retailer. But a clean, calm, stress-free home? Now that’s a present that actually makes a difference.

Because whether she’s a mum of young kids, a carer, a grandmother hosting the family, or a woman juggling work, home and a mountain of invisible labour, time, rest and ease are the real luxuries.

So this Christmas, let’s talk about why the gift of a clean house is one of the most thoughtful, appreciated presents you can give.

At Sistability, we work closely with people who support our clients’ rights, wellbeing, and independence. One of the most important supports available to people with disability is independent disability advocacy — a free service designed to help individuals navigate unfairness, discrimination, and complex systems that can often feel overwhelming.

A Disability Advocate is someone who stands beside a person with disability, helping them understand their rights, speak up, and be fully included in their community. This support can be the difference between feeling powerless and feeling confident to take action.

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.

“Sandy” (name changed for privacy) is an NDIS participant living in government housing in the Northern Rivers. She lives with several complex medical conditions that affect her ability to manage her home environment. These conditions significantly influence her capacity to maintain hygiene, organisation, and general home upkeep on an ongoing basis.

Over time, the challenges of daily living became overwhelming, and Sandy’s living conditions deteriorated beyond what regular support services could manage. Her home had reached a level that presented health and safety concerns for her and those supporting her.

We’re still buzzing from the incredible night we had at the 2025 Regional NSW Business Awards at the Ballina RSL last weekend! Surrounded by inspiring businesses, community leaders, and plenty of cheers, our team came together to celebrate what has been a milestone year for Sistability.

And what a night it was. We were absolutely thrilled to take home the award for Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion and to receive a Highly Commended recognition for Employer of Choice (under 20 employees).

These awards are more than just shiny trophies — they reflect the heart of what we do every single day and the values we hold as a social enterprise.

Robert, an aged care client living in Ballina, has lived with hoarding behaviours for many years. His home gradually became cluttered and difficult to navigate, making everyday activities harder and less safe.

When we first began working with Robert, it was clear that a single intensive clean would not be suitable. An all-at-once approach can be traumatic for people living with hoarding — it can feel like a loss of control, and in some cases, cause further distress.

Instead, we worked with Robert, his care team, and his support network to develop an ongoing, specialised cleaning plan tailored to his needs.

For many people, a clean home is more than just a matter of tidiness — it’s about safety, health, dignity, and quality of life. For NDIS participants and older Australians receiving aged care support, regular cleaning plays an important role in day-to-day wellbeing. But before a regular cleaning schedule can be effective, a specialised clean is often the most powerful first step.

We are so proud to share that Sistability has been named a finalist in not one, but two categories at the 2025 Northern Rivers Regional Business Awards:

🏆 Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion
🏆 Employer of Choice (20 Employees and Under)

This recognition is an incredible honour for our team, and it reflects both the work we do in the community and the culture we’ve built inside our organisation. At Sistability, we believe that inclusion, diversity, and genuine care aren’t just values on paper — they are guiding principles that shape how we show up every single day.

At Sistability, we believe that everyone deserves more than just a roof over their head—they deserve a home. A space that feels safe, warm, and comforting. Yet for many people in our community, starting over often means doing so with almost nothing. That’s why we’ve launched our new Clean Start Program, an initiative designed to help vulnerable community members create homes filled with dignity and comfort.

Through this program, we collect donations from the community—things like bedding, mattresses, towels, and home goods—and deliver them to those who need them most.

Every person deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. Yet too often, people in our community quietly carry challenges on their own—whether it’s feeling isolated, uncertain about how to access services, or unsure where to turn for help.

At Sistability, we believe no one should have to face those challenges alone. That’s why our team is more than a group of service providers. We’re companions, advocates, and connectors—standing beside people so they feel supported, valued, and confident to take the next step forward.

We’ve got some exciting news to share with you—Sistability has officially been certified as a Social Enterprise! 🎉

This milestone is more than just a badge for us. It’s a recognition of the way we’ve always operated: putting people and community first while delivering high-quality domestic care services. As one of only a handful of social enterprises in the Northern Rivers, we’re proud to be showing what’s possible when business success is linked directly to social good.

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.

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.

For many people with ADHD, keeping a home clean can feel like climbing a mountain in bare feet. It’s not a lack of willpower or caring about a tidy space—it’s the way the ADHD brain is wired.

Understanding the neuroscience behind these struggles can be the first step toward solutions that work, whether you’re tackling the dust bunnies yourself or calling in professional reinforcements for a specialty or deep clean.

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.

We’re thrilled to announce that Sistability has been named a finalist in four prestigious categories at the Ballina Business Awards, taking place at the Ballina RSL on Saturday 2 August 2025. This recognition is a testament to our team’s unwavering dedication to quality, inclusion and genuine care—and we’re so proud to be celebrated alongside the outstanding businesses that make our region so vibrant.

As the cooler months are now here, winter cleaning becomes essential to prepare your home for the challenges that come with the season. From the increased moisture in the air to the heavy use of heating systems, winter brings a unique set of cleaning tasks to address. If you want to ensure your home stays warm, dry, and hygienic during the colder months, it’s time to get your cleaning routine ready for winter.

In this guide, we’ll cover key winter-specific cleaning tips that will help you maintain a healthy, safe, and comfortable home throughout the season.

About Kirby: A busy mum of two, active in her community and living with her disability makes deep-cleaning tasks painful and difficult.

The Challenge: Although Kirby keeps on top of basic tidying, heavier jobs—like scrubbing the bathroom, degreasing kitchen surfaces, spot-cleaning walls and thorough floor work—were triggering arthritis flare-ups. These tasks left her fatigued and posed slip hazards for her and the kids.

“I really struggle to do deeper cleaning like the bathroom… I can manage basic daily tasks, but long sessions on my feet or hard scrubbing just aren’t possible for me.”

In the world of disability and aged-care support, ensuring a safe, hygienic living environment is non-negotiable. Regular ongoing cleans are invaluable for day-to-day upkeep, but an increasing number of Support Coordinators are discovering that an intensive, one-off deep clean can deliver far greater benefits—both for physical health and for overall wellbeing. Here’s why deep cleans are rapidly becoming the preferred choice for those managing complex care needs.

In the world of aged care and NDIS support, there are many dedicated professionals working tirelessly to ensure individuals with diverse needs lead fulfilling lives. But there’s one group of workers who often go under the radar yet play a crucial role in the lives of many: our domestic care specialists, also known as cleaners.

While their main job is to provide essential cleaning services, their role often goes far beyond just tidying up a home. Our domestic care specialists are often the only professionals who step into the homes of aged care and NDIS clients, and their services are about more than just cleaning. These specialists are, in many ways, the "eyes and ears on the ground," observing the wellbeing of clients and raising the alarm about potential issues or concerns.

Every day, our domestic cleaners at Sistability quietly change lives. They're not just tidying homes — they’re lifting spirits, checking in on wellbeing, and making everyday life a little easier for people who need support.

Meet Ella and Molly — two of our team members who work side-by-side, supporting NDIS and aged care clients across Ballina and Lennox Head. Here's a look into one of their workdays.

At Sistability, we believe in the power of showing up — not just with services, but with intention, dignity, and care. Over the past year, our team has done just that, pouring their energy, empathy, and dedication into every mop swipe, garden bed, and check-in. Now, with enormous pride, we’re lifting the lid on what that commitment has created in our first-ever Impact Report.

This milestone isn’t just about numbers — though we’re certainly proud of them. It’s about visibility. It’s about acknowledging the human stories and community ties woven through each hour of work we’ve delivered. It’s about recognising that meaningful change doesn’t always look flashy. Sometimes, it looks like showing up, day in and day out, for people who need a little extra help to live safely and independently at home.

At Sistability, we support over 100 NDIS participants. Our team shows up every day to deliver more than just services—we deliver dignity, safety, and peace of mind. For many of our clients, that starts with a clean, well-maintained home.

But we’re reaching a tipping point.

The NDIS price limits for essential household supports like cleaning and gardening are no longer enough to cover the true cost of delivering these services safely, reliably, and professionally. The result? A growing crisis that’s affecting participants, providers, and frontline workers alike.

This decision hasn’t been made lightly. It’s been shaped by deep reflection, local insight, and the values that have always guided our work — care, community, and quality over quantity.

After years of meaningful service across Sydney, Sistability is entering a heartfelt new chapter — one that brings us back to our roots, our community, and our purpose.

We’re announcing a significant shift in how and where we operate. As of now, we are officially winding down our services in the Sydney region to focus exclusively on our home base: the Northern Rivers.

This decision hasn’t been made lightly. It’s been shaped by deep reflection, local insight, and the values that have always guided our work — care, community, and quality over quantity.

If you or someone you support is on a new or reassessed NDIS plan, you may notice a big change: funding is now being released in smaller chunks throughout the year. These new “funding periods” could impact how and when you can access important services like cleaning, gardening, therapy, or assistive technology. In this blog, we break down what’s changing, how it might affect you, and what you can do to stay supported.

For many of us, home is a place of comfort and calm—but for people living with allergies, asthma, or respiratory sensitivities, it can also be the source of daily discomfort. From sneezing fits and itchy eyes to sleep disruptions and breathing difficulties, allergens in the home can quietly build up and affect your quality of life.

At Sistability, we believe a truly clean home is one that supports your health and wellbeing, not just your tidiness goals. That’s why we’re sharing this healthy home cleaning guide to help make your space more allergy-friendly—room by room, task by task.

Think your home is truly clean? Without a HEPA-filter vacuum, you might be stirring up more dust and allergens than you remove. In this post, we explain how HEPA filters work, why they matter, and why Sistability uses them to ensure healthier, safer homes—especially for seniors and those with allergies.

Even the cleanest homes can hide health hazards like dust mites, mold, and bacteria. In this blog post, we uncover the risks lurking beneath the surface and explain how a professional deep clean from Sistability can create a safer, healthier living environment for you and your loved ones.

Northern Rivers NSW is known for its lush landscapes, coastal beauty — and, of course, its unpredictable weather. After a stretch of heavy rainfall like we’ve just had, your garden may look greener, but it can also be left a little waterlogged, messy, or even overwhelmed.

Whether you're a keen gardener or someone who enjoys the view more than the weeding, it’s worth giving your garden a little attention after a downpour. Here’s how to gently help your outdoor space recover — without overdoing it.

When a home environment becomes unsafe, it’s no longer a job for a standard cleaner. Specialised cleaning is about restoring safety, dignity, and livability — and it requires the right expertise. Learn more about ‘Specialised Cleaning’ and the differences between it and standard cleaning here.