News

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

The Australian Government has announced one of the biggest expansions to aged care funding in recent years. From September 3 until October 31, 2025, 20,000 new Home Care Packages (HCPs) are being released. By the end of the year, another 20,000 packages will follow, opening the door for thousands of older Australians to receive the support they need to live safely and comfortably at home.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.