The innovative business model supporting Australians with disability

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Achieve Australia is well known for its frontline services for people with disability, but its work behind the scenes may be equally worthy of recognition.

Since its inception in 1951, the not-for-profit has evolved from a residential service, into a multi-purpose, umbrella organisation, that caters to the full gamut of disability requirements.

“Like many not-for-profits, we were established by families and supporters in the community who wanted a different way of life for young people and adults with disability,” said CEO Jo-Anne Hewitt.

“We set up Crowle Home as an alternative to institutional care, but, over time – as social policy and funding environments changed – we have transformed our services considerably.

“We now offer independent and supported living, community participation, drop-in support, respite service for young people and adults, high quality supports for people with complex medical requirements and, a number of small social enterprises employing people with disability. Our offering is very different now to what it was.”

Repurposing its land

In 2014 Achieve took a major step with the sale of Crowl Home. The sale, to a commercial developer saw the repurposing of the existing land block to develop a community of 400 apartments, including 22 apartments for specifically designed for people with disability that are pepper and salted across the development.

“People residing there either live by themselves or with a flatmate of their choosing. Support workers are available onsite 24hours a day, including access to specialist nursing support where required.

“So it is a fairly independent, yet supported, environment, where people can live either ‘service-free’ or ‘service heavy’, depending on their requirements,” Ms Hewitt said.

The development is located near Sydney’s CBD. It offers physically accessible design, essential services, and proximity public transport, to support inclusion for all residents.

“There are accessible communal open spaces, wide walkways and doorways. And the access to and views across green parklands and the waterways of the Parramatta River make for a strong, inclusive community atmosphere,” Ms Hewitt said.

Adapting its model

In 2019 Achieve went further in establishing Inclusive Housing Australia, a joint venture partnership with Leftfield Social Housing.

“Like many in the industry, we feel that people with disability are best served when they can live in a house or apartment which isn’t owned by their service provider.” she said.

“In establishing Inclusive Housing Australia (IHA) we were able to sell all our existing properties to them. We are still involved with IHA, but it is completely separate organisation to Achieve – and they are specialists in what they do.

“IHA support people with their tenancies, provide dedicated disability accommodation services. And they’re also in a position to raise capital to continually extend the availability of housing for people with disability.”

Capital raising

Looking ahead, Ms Hewitt has further plans to broaden the organisation’s remit, with a range of innovative projects underway.

“We have established The Achieve Foundation (TAF)as a field-building intermediary. For example, TAF works with various partners in the sector to build capacity and employ people with disability into mainstream roles in the not-for-profit sector. This is made possible by a substantial grant from the Ramsey Foundation.

“Through the work of TAF we aim to shift attitudes of the Australian community toward disability, in order to build a more inclusive society,” she said.

Further insight

Sharing more on the innovative work Achieve is doing to support inclusion for people with disability, Jo-Anne Hewitt will present at the upcoming National Disability Summit.

This year’s event will be held September 18-19, 2025, at the Crown Melbourne.
Themes include:

• How can providers and participants effectively navigate the latest NDIS changes?
• How can providers prepare for compulsory registration?
• Understanding the new NDIS Act: What are the key changes and timelines?
• Navigating the new short notice cancellation requirements: What do providers need to know?
• How can Support Coordination be leveraged in employment services?
• Effective time management for Support Coordinators and Recovery Coaches: What strategies work?
• How can organisations grow and support their lived experience workforce?
• What are the most successful strategies for employing people with disability?
• Beyond SIL: What innovative housing models are improving lives?
• How can disability services better support mental health needs?
• Assistive Technology: How to choose, fund, and implement effectively?
• What does successful Person-Centered Active Support look like in practice?
• Empowering Self-Advocacy: What tools and techniques really work?
• How can we improve healthcare experiences for people with disability?
• Overcoming challenges in rural and remote service delivery
• Cultural Competence in Disability Support: From Theory to Practice
• Ensuring Financial Sustainability for Disability Service Providers
• How can we smooth the transition from education to employment for people with disability?
• Aging with Disability: What support strategies are most effective?
• What practical support makes the biggest difference for families and carers?
• Enhancing Digital Safety and Literacy for People with Disability
• Emergency Preparedness: How can we ensure the safety of people with disability?

Learn more and register your tickets here.

About Jo-Anne Hewitt

Jo-Anne Hewitt is Chief Executive Officer at Achieve Australia where she is
responsible for the strategic direction and growth of the organisation and delivery of quality service and outcomes.

Achieve Australia is a for-purpose community organisation that has been providing supports and services to people with disability since 1952. Achieve champions social inclusion, focusing on the individual needs and lives of people through service delivery as well as promoting research innovation and advocacy via the Achieve Foundation.

Prior to her appointment as CEO 6 years ago, Jo-Anne held the role of Executive Director Disability at the Benevolent Society and has extensive experience in the not-for-profit sector, leading complex organisations through periods of significant growth and transformation.