About Care Together
An education, advisory and support program designed to foster business model innovation by applying co-operative and mutual values and principles.
The Care Together program is Australia’s first education, advisory and support program dedicated to developing co-operative and mutual enterprises in the social care sector. Delivered by the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals and funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the program was established to improve the quality, sustainability and diversity of care services.
Care Together focuses on aged care, disability care, veterans’ services, First Nations services, allied health and primary health care, with a particular emphasis on regional, rural and remote communities where traditional service models are under pressure.
Phase One – what has been achieved
Phase One of the Care Together Program demonstrated how co-operative and mutual models can operate in practice when communities are supported within a conducive policy environment.
During Phase One, Care Together:
- Supported the development and registration of four new co-operatives in Wagin (WA), Murrumbidgee (NSW), Eurobodalla (NSW) and Glen Innes (NSW)
- Provided tailored advisory support to strengthen and expand the impact of three existing co-operative and mutual enterprises in regional South Australia, Bowen (Queensland) and Coonabarabran (NSW)
- Partnered with organisations across the ageing and disability sectors to explore participant-led co-operative models within the NDIS and Support at Home programs
- Engaged with Integrated Care and Commissioning initiatives to examine how co-operatives contribute to quality improvement and sustainability
- Co-designed a prototype for a nationally owned shared services co-operative to support social care providers, particularly in regional and remote areas
Support was tailored to each project and included co-operative education, governance, legal and regulatory compliance, constitutional development, financial modelling, project management and community engagement.
What Phase One has shown
Phase One has demonstrated that co-operatives and mutuals are not a fringe alternative, but a viable, scalable and values-driven model for delivering person-centred care. At the same time, the program has reinforced that developing strong co-operatives – particularly in regional and rural communities – takes time, trust and sustained effort.
Phase 2
Care Together is currently focused on supporting existing projects and delivering Phase Two priorities. While the program is not taking on new projects, the tools, resources and learning developed through Care Together are being shared to support the wider social care sector.
Bringing the work to life
Care Together has produced five short films highlighting four featured projects and the Care Together journey overall, showcasing what is already working when care is designed with and for communities. Watch them online.
How can I find out more?
Individuals, organisations and communities interested in co-operative and mutual approaches to care are encouraged to explore Care Together’s free resources and toolkit, which provide practical guidance, frameworks and insights drawn from the program’s work. If you have questions about the Care Together Program or would like further information, please contact the Care Together team.
“We envisage a future where all Australians can access high-quality, appropriate and dignified care, delivered by empowered care professionals.”
– Care Together Program
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