Disability support platform Hireup has officially expanded into aged care, aiming to help older Australians remain independent at home while addressing growing workforce shortages.
The move comes as the sector prepares for major government reforms, including the rollout of the Support at Home program in 2026 and the creation of 300,000 additional home care places over the next decade. With $4.3 billion committed to the reforms, the demand for aged care workers is expected to intensify.
Hireup CEO and co-founder Laura O’Reilly said the company’s relationship-first model, established in disability care, is designed to give older Australians choice and continuity in their support.
“We built Hireup to put people at the centre of their support. That same approach can help solve one of the biggest challenges families face today – finding the right support for ageing loved ones who want to remain in their own homes,” she said.
The company’s entry into aged care builds on its decade of experience in disability services. Since 2015, Hireup has supported more than 11,000 people each year and employs over 14,000 workers across 82% of Australian postcodes. Its support workers collectively speak more than 70 languages.
Hireup co-founders Laura and Jordan O’Reilly said their inspiration came from their grandfather Frank, who at 86 continues to live independently with the help of support workers he selected through the platform.
To strengthen its leadership during the expansion, Hireup has appointed Michele Smith OAM and Paralympian Annabelle Williams OAM to its board.
Smith, an expert in clinical governance, will guide Hireup’s aged care strategy, while Williams – a lawyer, disability advocate and Paralympic gold medallist – will bring global experience in building inclusive, high-performance cultures.
The appointments, Hireup said, reflect its commitment to “grow with purpose” while supporting both older Australians and people with disability to live independently.
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
