NDIS providers combine services

Social enterprise Independence Australia will join forces with fellow NDIS provider Zest Care from next month.

The merger will see services combined to to provide a larger and more sustainable in-home service, CEO Peter Turner says.

“We have closely aligned core purposes and values that will allow us to expand our range of support services from Victoria into New South Wales,” CEO Peter Turner told F2L. 

“The decision will enable us to integrate the two businesses and grow the provision of quality, safe and sustainable supports to people living with a disability or other personal need in our communities,” he said.

Flexible, individual services will continue, and choice and control for customers won’t be affected, Independence says.

“This announcement marks a significant and exciting change to our organisation to better serve the interests of people living with a disability or other personal need as a new, unified organisation,” the group said in a statement.

“Our aim is to further enhance people’s quality of life through the delivery of specialist services and products. We are excited by the opportunity to extend these core aims with Zest Care disability and family services.”

Independence is also a leading supplier of healthcare products, mobility aids  and equipment, offering more than 13,000 products on its online store.

Profits from sales are used to fund programs for people with disability.

Zest Care provides disability services including NDIS plan management, support co-ordination and direct supports.

Most of its services are in NSW but it also operates in Queensland and Victoria.

A spokeswoman told Community Care Review that both organisations would retain their names and identities, however the move would expand Independence Australia’s footprint in NSW.

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