Achieve Australia and Break Thru People Solutions announce merger

Both organisations are service providers committed to improving the quality of life for Australians with disability or mental illness, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those with disadvantage, and their families.

The Memorandum of Understanding marks the beginning of a process that ultimately requires respective board and both state and Federal government support.

Both organisations say that the general community services sector is becoming increasingly competitive, and across the board is now under pressure to reform; in some areas with additional complexity due to the introduction of the NDIS.

In response to this, the providers believe that organisations in the sector will need to be offering a greater breadth and depth of services, and that they can be stronger and face the challenges together as on entity.

Break Thru Managing Director and Founder Ross Lewis welcomed this decision, saying “The ‘new’ organisation will be well positioned to become the national leader in the sector, servicing a combined community of over 20,000 people and their families.”

Achieve Australia CEO Anne Bryce said “I’d like to assure everyone that the wellbeing of clients, their families, staff and volunteers will be at the forefront of decision-making in the coming months.”

The key strategic benefits of the merger, outlined by Achieve Australia and Break Thru People Solutions:

– Significant investments in infrastructure. This includes new opportunities and programs to more effectively support people to be valued contributors in their workplace and local communities.

– Greater breadth and depth of quality results for all clients. Combining both organisations’ expertise and networks will engineer over time an expansion of services, opportunities and reach to give all Australians, regardless of their background or perceived barriers, more opportunity to lead meaningful and valued lives.

– Accelerated growth and scale. The NDIS and self-managed funding has changed the national landscape. Combining resources will allow both organisations to better accommodate this transition, empowering strong growth with the renewed energy of co-operation and shared knowledge, giving the flexibility to adapt and flourish.

Break Thru provides services in NSW, Victoria and Queensland in employment, training and community services to people with disability, mental illness, Indigenous Australians, people from a culturally and linguistically diverse background, youth at risk, long term unemployed and more broadly for those who are disadvantaged. Of those, its most significant contribution to the new venture is its substantial portfolio and experience delivering employment outcomes.

Achieve Australia provides strong services in employment, accommodation and day services in Sydney for people with disability or disadvantage. Of those, its strongest contribution to the new venture is in delivering socially inclusive community living services.