In the Media

Able Australia and Mosaic Support Services have officially merged

The demand for disability support services in Tasmania is growing, with more people requiring support each year.   As the need increases so do the expectations of the community, yet the funding environment gets tighter and tighter.

The NDIS funding model is incredibly welcomed, yet is failing to keep up with the cost of doing business or adequately funding essentials. Some disability price limits have been fixed for half a decade, despite inflation.   Operating costs pressures are increasing for disability organisations including essentials such as completing necessary compliance requirements, registration, quality and safeguarding costs and any above award wage incentives for disability support workers, who are vital to providing quality supports for people with a disability.

This means that the organisations that provide disability support services are challenged to be more efficient and work smarter, yet still deliver the high-quality supports that client, their families – and indeed the whole community- rightly expect.

At its core, that’s what the merger of Able Australia and Mosaic Support Services will do. These two highly respected, deeply embedded disability support providers officially merged on 9 December.

In fact, together these two organisations combine over 50 years’ experience providing disability supports in Tasmania, and we’re here to stay, with plans to continue to expand our service offerings for people with a disability. Our merger is part of the growth agenda of both organisations and a fantastic opportunity to create a stronger and more financially sustainable future, harnessing the collective resources, knowledge and expertise of both organisations, reaffirming our position as leaders in disability support within Tasmania and nationally.

By coming together, both organisations will be stronger, and the Tasmanian community can be assured that people living with a disability will continue to be able to access local support from organisations and staff they know and trust.

Our 900 staff already support around 600 adults and children with disability. The programs that each organisation has operated will continue, delivered by the same staff in the same locations. Initiatives like Mosaic Studios and Made by Mosaic, Centre of Excellence – Deafblind at Able will continue – as along with all the other services. This means that existing programs and services delivered by frontline employees’ people with disability know and trust will continue.

Together both organisations will be more efficient, as some of the significant fixed costs associated with being registered providers are consolidated, reducing duplication and achieving cost efficiencies by streamlining business systems. This will allow us to continue to invest in program improvements, quality and safety, which is significantly underfunded by the NDIS, yet vital. This will benefit of clients, families and employees.

Employees across both organisations remain central to our future and the wellbeing of our clients. Many organisations say it, but we truly believe that our people are our greatest asset. And, if you ask any of the clients we support, they will say the same thing!

This merger is not just about responding to immediate challenges -it’s about building a stronger, more resilient future for disability services in Tasmania. Both organisations are committed to being leaders in providing high-quality and person-centred support and creating opportunities to innovate and improve. We are committed to the principle of listening to the voice of our clients as we seek to support clients to reach their goals and live the life they choose.

We have never – and will never – compromise on quality, and we’ll continue to be informed by evidence-based practice, as we lead the sector in service excellence.

This move will also strengthen our voice as an advocate in the disability sector. Able founded the CEO Collaboration, and today it proudly boasts 110 members, representing over $2.33B NDIS revenue, 42,000 participants and 26,000 employees nationally. Through this group collaboration, we advocate for our clients, employees and service providers as we seek to build a stronger sector. While more than half of Able’s business is already from Tasmania, with Mosaic becoming part of Able, we will be able to represent more people with a disability on behalf of Tasmania.

By working together, we can ensure that people with disability in Tasmania have the support they need to live the life they choose.

Our Board, Leadership team, staff and clients are all excited by these opportunities to continue to create better days, every day with and for our clients.

Lynette is the Chief Executive Officer of Able and Mosaic.  Lynette has been with Able for over six years and took on the CEO position of Able in March 2022.  Lynette’s career has spanned over 25 years working as an allied health practitioner and in leadership roles in disability, health, and community services.  For the last 10 years Lynette has held Executive and Senior Leadership roles at Able Australia and more. Lynette is committed to delivering on Able’s  promise to create ‘better days every day’ with and for people with disability and ensuring Able and Mosaic remain strong for generations to come.

Australian Associated Press (Digital Print) – National
Able Australia CEO, Lynette McKeown features in an article about the significant shortages of disability support workers, and how attracting overseas workers will help fix this issue to lessen the strain on staff and provide the essential support to people with disability. READ THE ARTICLE.

ABC News (Digital Print) – National
Able Australia CEO, Lynette McKeown chats to ABC News about the critical worker shortage in the disability sector including new incentives to attract and retain staff. READ THE ARTICLE.

Community Care Review – National
Able Australia announces the appointment of Lynette McKeown as new Chief Executive Officer. READ THE ARTICLE.

The Australian (Print) – National
Able Australia expresses concern that care for people with disabilities may be compromised as disability service providers struggle to meet a Victorian Government imposed third dose deadline for workers. READ THE ARTICLE.

ABC Radio – North TAS
Able Australia’s Jennifer Oak, Area Manager Tasmania Community, chats to Belinda King about the need for a national approach regarding vaccination recommendations for the disability sector and calls for consistency, direction and leadership at a state level. LISTEN HERE (Timestamp 2:00:49)

ABC Radio – North TAS
Chandi Piefke, National Director of Engagement at Able Australia, discusses the growing disconnect between each state government when it comes to booster shots for disability workers and the challenges this presents. LISTEN HERE (Timestamp 2:01:22)

ABC Radio – ACT
The ACT’s disability sector is facing massive staff shortages. Jessi Claudianos, ACT Area Manager for Able Australia talks to ABC Radio’s Lish Fejer about the situation and what is needed to boost support workers. LISTEN HERE (Timestamp 1:42:25 – 1:48:21)

The Guardian (Digital Print) – National
Covid-related staff shortages in the Australian disability sector leave some without vital services. Care providers have also been unable to source rapid tests with up to 20% of staff at some organisations in isolation. Chandi Piefke, National Director of Engagement at Able Australia highlights the challenges. READ HERE.