Our impact
We helped over 14,500 South Australians in 2024-25.
From the Board Chair
UnitingSA continues to grow in capacity and impact
Our services and programs now stretch far beyond our heartland of Port Adelaide with teams operating from 35 locations across the State.
As Board Chair, I see first-hand the challenges our community faces but I also see the immense strength and commitment of our staff and volunteers as they work alongside some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
This year, the Board and Executive have worked together to develop our strategic plan that will guide our work for 2025-2030.
Our ambition is for UnitingSA to be one of South Australia’s most trusted providers of aged care, disability support, housing, and community services.
The new plan sets five key priorities for the next five years: delivering high-quality community services, expanding our impact in disability supports, continuing to lead in residential aged care, growing in-home aged care, and increasing the supply of safe, affordable housing.
By 2030, our aim is to have amplified our community impact and strengthened our reputation as an organisation that addresses complex social challenges and delivers innovative, financially sustainable solutions that create lasting positive change.
We are excited by what lies ahead. We know that with the right support, people can thrive – and that with the right vision, organisations like ours can help shape the future for better.
On behalf of the Board, a sincere thank you to the staff, volunteers, supporters and collaborators who make our work possible. Your passion and dedication are the foundation of our impact.
Gael Fraser
UnitingSA Board Chair
From the CEO
The work we do is critical, and the need continues to grow
During 2024-25, UnitingSA offered practical and meaningful support to over 14,500 people through our aged care, housing and community services.
Throughout the year, our community has navigated ongoing cost-of-living pressures and an acute housing shortage that has seen the cost of housing rise beyond affordable levels for many South Australians.
In response, we have focused on expanding our housing portfolio, building more social and affordable housing. We opened our largest ever community housing project, Uniting on Devonport, in March, with an even larger affordable housing complex now under construction in Bowden due to open in 2026.
In September, I was one of fifteen CEOs from across the UnitingCare Care Australia network to attend Parliament House to discuss important social issues including our concerns about the slow progress of proposed changes to aged care legislation. The very next day – the new Aged Care Act was tabled in Parliament, opening the door for much-needed reform.
We have also supported an increasing number of people through our community services with emergency relief and homelessness services in high demand.
We expanded our offerings in regional areas with a new community centre opening in Whyalla and Parent Pathways offering support to parents through additional services in the Murray, South East and Mid North regions.
UnitingSA will continue to be a transformative force for positive change in our community. We will hold firm to our values of respect, compassion, courage and integrity, as we work together for a more inclusive and just South Australia.
Jenny Hall
Chief Executive Officer
Development and Housing
Building brighter futures – one home at a time
As the national housing affordability crisis continues, UnitingSA has delivered more social and affordable housing for South Australians.
By offering stable housing and connecting residents to support services we aim to create communities where people can flourish.
In August, construction commenced at UnitingSA’s largest development to date, Uniting on Second. Located in Bowden, the 8‑storey development – featuring 70 apartments and a rooftop garden – will deliver much needed affordable housing. The $37 million development includes 24 affordable apartments that will be sold below market value and a further 46 that will be available as affordable rentals. Uniting on Second is due for completion in early 2026.
In late 2025, we completed six three-bedroom townhouses in Northfield. The $2.3 million Uniting at Northfield project is providing vital housing for people on low to moderate incomes. Once home to two 1960s houses, our Housing Development team did an outstanding job delivering these homes for our tenants just in time for Christmas.
In March 2026, we opened Uniting on Devonport. The $15.9 million development in Prospect features 40 dwellings including 21 affordable housing apartments, 10 social housing apartments, 2 speciality disability apartments and 7 townhouses (sold privately to help fund the project). The project has since been nominated for a number of awards. More importantly, the community is thriving with residents building relationships and looking out for each other in practical, caring ways.
Meanwhile, a number of other housing projects are in various stages of development.
Our Kidman Park community housing project features a mix of 2 and 3‑bedroom, two‑level homes designed for families. This project will add to our existing housing precinct in Kidman Park, strengthening our commitment to providing safe, affordable homes for those who need them most. Tenants are expected to move in between March and April 2026.
Likewise, Uniting at Kilburn, will also provide vital housing for people on low to moderate incomes. The project, which includes one social and three affordable houses, is also due for completion in early 2026.
There are a number of other projects in the pipeline, which will see UnitingSA further increase our housing portfolio and, more importantly, provide housing to some of South Australia’s most vulnerable people.
Each of our housing developments has a focus on providing community engagement and wellbeing activities for tenants and residents. Through our tailored programs and events, we ensure everyone feels supported, valued and part of a thriving community.
In addition to community housing, we also support the property management of our 144 retirement living properties, 5 Residential Aged Care sites and 21 organisational sites across metropolitan and regional South Australia.
Our impact through Property & Housing
A fresh start
Mirben and her daughters arrived in Australia in December 2023 with nothing. Twelve months on, the family is making a new home in one of UnitingSA’s network of social and affordable houses.
Originally from Venezuela, Mirben left her homeland due to the social, political and economic challenges facing the country.
Mirben says that one of the best things about being in Australia is feeling safe.
“I can breathe. I can go anywhere. I can drop the children at school and know they will be safe.”
Mirben plans to apply for citizenship and hopes one day she will be able to afford to buy her own home.
“Sometimes I think bad things happen, but good things can come out of it,” she says.
“It is strange. I went through all this trauma, but without the trauma I wouldn’t get this chance at a new life.”
Aged Care
Supporting older people to live their best life
Our aged care services support people throughout the continuum of care – whether that’s through retirement living, home care or residential aged care.
Our employees make a difference each and every day, working tirelessly to show compassion and respect as they seek to support and improve the lives of older people.
In November 2024, the Australian Parliament passed the Aged Care Act 2024 which paves the way for significant reform across the sector. It comes as Australia prepares for a rapid increase in older citizens, with the number of people aged over 65 projected to grow by 29% in the next decade.
Our staff have worked diligently to prepare for the implementation of new Aged Care Act and the transition to Support at Home.
The new Act, initially intended to commence on July 1 2025, was deferred until November 1 2025, following lobbying from providers and the wider community about the sector’s preparedness for the changes.
UnitingSA has continued to provide high-quality care to South Australians through our five residential aged care sites across Western and Northern Adelaide.
Our Seaton, West Lakes, Hawksbury and Wesley House aged care sites all achieved full compliance during their 3‑year accreditation visits held during the financial year.
During the year we also transitioned catering at Wesley House and our Westminster sites to a standardised internal model, enabling us to provide better quality meals and greater consistency across our sites.
Residents at our retirement living and residential sites are encouraged to participate in a range of activities throughout the year. One highlight was our exhibition in the South Australian Living Artists (SALA) Festival.
Our home care services continue to enable many older people to maintain their independence in their own homes. The number of clients accessing these services grew by over 10% in 2024‑25 with our team making over 63,000 visits to clients’ homes throughout the year.
In preparation for the transition to Support at Home, we have implemented a marketing campaign to increase awareness of UnitingSA’s service offering. We have also committed to expand our services into the Riverland region from November 2025.
Our impact through Aged Care
Virtual Adventure sparks rich memories
When Franciszka first put on virtual reality goggles, she was immediately transported back to her homeland of Poland.
“Wow. It’s like a dream,” she said. “I feel like I’m walking on clouds.”
Daniel, Leisure and Lifestyle Team Leader at UnitingSA, says that he’s never had someone have such a strong reaction to the technology.
“Virtual reality enables residents to be taken on a journey from the comfort of their home,” explains Daniel.
Rather than passive observation – such as watching a film – virtual reality puts the participant in the middle. With a turn of their head, they can explore a site and feel like they are actually present at the location.
Community Services
A helping hand for those in need of support
UnitingSA continues to respond in practical and meaningful ways to South Australians facing cost-of-living and other pressures.
During 2024‑25, UnitingSA saw increasing demand across many of our core programs and services.
We helped almost 2,300 people with emergency assistance and saw a 15% increase in No Interest Loans, with 2,020 loans issued to the value of $3 million. These loans are vital in enabling people to cover the cost of essential items such as household goods, car expenses and medical bills.
There was also strong demand for financial counselling, with 1,063 people seeking assistance; almost 40% of these people were first‑time clients.
Since launching in March 2024, our expanded Mental Health Services team now operates across metropolitan Adelaide, as well as several regional Local Health Networks, including Barossa Hills Fleurieu, Yorke and Northern, Flinders and Upper North and Riverland Mallee Coorong.
The team delivers person‑led recovery services, with 95% of people supported reporting that the service met their needs and they were listened to in all aspects of their support.
Through our broad range of programs and community services, we were able to help bring hope in many ways.
Our two community centres, located in Taperoo and Whyalla, offered valuable opportunities for connection, learning and wellbeing. Since opening in February 2025, our new community centre in Whyalla has allowed us to extend our support to the Whyalla community.
In early 2025, we launched a new campaign to promote our NDIS services. In a highly competitive market, our teams continue to focus on providing quality care to people living with a disability.
UnitingSA continues to provide specialist support services to people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of becoming homeless in the metropolitan Adelaide north and west region. We are part of collaborative partnership with six other for-purpose community organisations and the Department of Human Services (DHS), known as Adelaide North West Homelessness Alliance (ANWHA). In 2024‑25, the Alliance supported 5,578 clients across the region.
Our innovative programs, such as Peppertree Place, which include integrated case management, tenancy support and wraparound services, have resulted in 87% of families participating in the program exiting into stable housing.
Our Child, Youth and Family services have continued to provide a wide range of services for vulnerable children, young people and families.
We continued to provide intensive case management for young people disengaged from the education system.
As a provider of the Parent Pathways program, we continued to support young parents to reconnect with education and employment goals across the Adelaide North, Mid-north and Murraylands/Riverland regions.
Our Connected Families program provided transport, assistance and cultural programs for young Aboriginal children in the western suburbs.
As the Facilitating Partner for Communities for Children, we worked with eight other providers to deliver services and support to vulnerable families who are at risk of entering the child protection system.
Our impact through Community Services
Safety in the storm
Five years ago, Jess’ life was healthy, stable and ‘normal’.
But a catastrophic turn of events plunged Jess’ life into complete chaos.
Jess and her three children spent months couch surfing, living out of a car and in emergency motel accommodation.
“It was hard on the kids,” Jess says quietly. “I couldn’t get them to school. I couldn’t feed them properly. I felt like such a bad mother.”
When a friend suggested she connect with UnitingSA, there was a glimmer of hope.
UnitingSA was able to help Jess access accommodation and supply some essentials to establish a new home.
“UnitingSA has been incredible.” Jess says. “I don’t know where I’d be without them.”
UnitingSA took part in the Walk of Awareness in February 2025
Our commitment to Reconciliation
We continued to deliver services and engage in advocacy activities which support the wellbeing and aspirations of First Nations communities.
Over the last 12 months we partnered with Kornar Winmil Yunti (KWY) to help us to review and deepen our commitment to reconciliation and to support us to continue to embed cultural learning and safety in our workplace.
As part of this partnership, KWY facilitated a session with our Board and Executive team which included a cultural assessment and looked at how we take a contemporary approach to our reconciliation journey. They also facilitated a check-in session with a group of our Aboriginal employees.
Following feedback from these sessions, we formed an employee-driven Reconciliation Action Group. This group are now helping us to develop our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan and approach going forward.
To support this group, we have also committed to establish working groups focused on four key areas: Cultural Learning & Employment, Communications & Events, External Partnerships and Procurement.
Throughout the year, we continued to demonstrate our commitment to First Nations inclusion and equality by actively engaging in significant events.
In July 2024, the Child, Youth and Family Services team hosted the NAIDOC Community Day in Port Adelaide. The event connected families from across the community to share in a celebration of culture, in line with the theme ‘Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud’.
Long-serving UnitingSA Aboriginal Family Worker, Aunty Ingrid, spoke from the heart, and encouraged us to continue listening, acknowledging and walking in partnership with our First Nations communities.
Meanwhile, our Whyalla NDIS team joined the NAIDOC Cultural Festival at Whyalla’s Civic Park and residents across our aged care sites also had many opportunities to explore First Nations culture and history. During NAIDOC Week they participated in a range of activities including cultural performances, dot painting, and cooking wattle seed biscuits.
In February 2025, UnitingSA took part in the Walk of Awareness, commemorating the anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. This was our seventh year partnering with the City of Port Adelaide Enfield and other local community organisations to support this important event.
In May 2025, we took part in Reconciliation in the West at Tauondi Aboriginal College. Once again, this local event provided a great opportunity for us to come together as a community to support our journey towards reconciliation.
Our engagement in all these activities is part of our ongoing commitment to working towards positive and lasting change for Aboriginal people, families and communities.
Partnerships
Amplifying our impact
When we partner with our community – we amplify our impact.
Whether that’s through the generosity of donors who support our appeals or organisations that partner with us to get vital projects off the ground, every contribution makes a difference.
The 2024 Winter Appeal received almost $19,000 in donations and over 1,400 items to help support people experiencing poverty and homelessness.
The funds enabled our Home and Financial Stability team to provide families and individuals with food vouchers, helping them pay urgent energy bills and buy groceries, as well as support people currently sleeping rough. The team also distributed donated goods including colourful beanies, blankets, clothes and handmade toys.
Our 2024 Christmas Appeal raised more than $48,000 to help “Save Christmas” for individuals, families and children living in the north-western suburbs. We also received more than 4,000 in-kind donations of food and toys. With this wonderful support we were able to support more than 800 families and individuals and ensure more than 1,100 children received Christmas gifts.
Partnerships with business, organisations and schools continue to play a vital role in supporting our work.
Helping others start over
The Community Business Bureau (CBB) reached out to UnitingSA to see how they could support our work. They wanted to support a grass-roots program that would impact lives and, at the same time, foster pride and morale among their employees.
Together, we teamed up to create a program that helps rough sleepers transition to secure housing.
The CBB Launchpad Home-starter Program now provides individuals and families with household essentials including bedding, kitchen basics and cleaning items to support them as they transition into longer term housing.
These essentials make a crucial difference to people who have been experiencing homelessness as they rebuild their lives and start over with dignity.
Our Team
Work that matters
At UnitingSA, we’re all about work that matters with people who care.
During 2024-25, as part of our ongoing commitment to creating a Great Client Experience, our staff continued to provide person-centred, safe, connected and effective care to each and every client.
We also sought to attract, retain and develop our employees, as part of our promise to ensure we offer a Great People Experience for the more than 1,200 staff who work across our many programs and services.
Our 2024 people engagement survey showed that we have created a workplace where everyone feels supported, valued and empowered.
86% of survey respondents said ‘UnitingSA is a truly great place to work’ and 71% of respondents said they felt actively engaged in working life. The survey also showed a number of strengths including that our workplace is free from gender and sex-based discrimination.
In August, we launched our new wellbeing approach including our own toolkit of wellbeing resources designed to support staff wellbeing.
Our quarterly Leaders Collaboration events have provided an opportunity for our leaders from across the organisation to share updates, hear directly from other leaders about their projects and services, and build connections across the organisation.
In November 2024, UnitingSA employees gathered for the inaugural UnitingSA Team Excellence Awards. The awards were introduced to appreciate and celebrate the incredible contribution our teams make – both to creating a great place to work and to the communities we serve. The night also provided an opportunity to recognise fifty team members who were celebrating significant employment milestones.
Our People
Our impact through our People
Number of employees by service
1,228 employees worked across aged care, housing, corporate and community services.
Number of employees reaching employment service milestones
101 employees reached a milestone of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 or 35 years working for UnitingSA.
Leading with impact
In April 2025, staff and community gathered to recognise Les Underwood for 18 years of service at UnitingSA.
Les started as the Minister at UnitingSA (then called UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide) in 2007.
Les played a pivotal role in the organisation during those years, including organising our 100th celebrations, coordinating the annual Christmas Day lunch, and walking alongside staff and volunteers in their everyday work.
Les’s impact will continue to be felt across the organisation as we continue to live out our values of respect, compassion, courage and integrity.
2024-25 Financial Report
Our financial report shows how our careful management of resources enables us to effectively support vulnerable people and build stronger communities.
UnitingSA acknowledges the Barngarla, Erawirung, Kaurna, Meintangk, Nharangga, and Ngarrindjeri peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we provide our services.