Strategy
Impact 2030
A five-year growth and diversification strategy delivering meaningful impact for children and young people with support needs – and their families – across Australia, implemented in a financially sustainable way using family-centred, best-practice approaches.
Our North Star
By 2030, Lifestart will be a distinctive, future-focused organisation that improves the lives of 20,000 children and young people and their families each year across Australia, operating from a position of financial strength, resilience and influence with the courage to grow its impact in a changing world.
Our Values
Empowerment – We build confidence and capacity
Equity – We recognise and support individual and community needs
Collaboration – We work together respectfully and with transparency
Impact – We achieve outcomes that make a difference
Lifestart Roadmap to 2030
Three Horizons 2026-2030
Horizon 1
0-18 months
Reset and Bridge with a focus on NSW
Horizon 2
18-36 months
Strengthen and Grow to new Australian jurisdictions in need
Horizon 3
3-5 years
Future IMPACT across Australia
Purpose
To empower children and young people with support needs and their families to thrive and live the life they aspire to.
Strategic Pillars
Families & Clients
We deliver market leading, family centred, efficient and evidence-based services adapting to the needs of the children, young people and families we support
Sustainability
We are a resilient, future-ready organisation, unlocking new impact and growth, diversifying sustainable revenue through alliances and expansion opportunities
Impact
We maximise our impact by measuring outcomes and using evidence and data to continuously assess and improve our services
Reputation & Voice
We elevate our voice and influence through a clear, compelling brand and our reputation for quality services with strong thought leadership that engages and connects our community
Team & Culture
We have a high-performing, resilient and adaptive team -aligned in purpose, capability and culture to deliver our strategy – and are an employer of choice in our sector
Strategic Enablers
Technology, Systems & Infrastructure
We enable smarter, more efficient ways of working through digital, data and AI
Governance & Agility
We lead with strong governance and accountable decision-making suitable for the moment
Financial Sustainability
We ensure long-term impact through disciplined, diversified and sustainable growth and cost-effective use of resources
Collaboration & Partnerships
We amplify impact through strong, purposeful partnerships
What makes Lifestart distinct?
- Started by families, for families – our origins are deeply grounded in lived experience, family need and practical support, which remains central to our identity, services and credibility.
- High-quality services and practice – our expert staff and reputation for quality, care and thoughtful practice is a key strength to protect and build on.
- Family first, not system first – our approach is anchored in what children, young people and families need, rather than simply delivering services within existing system constraints.
- Willing to do the hard work – we have a history of stepping into complex needs, gaps and challenges that others may not address.
- A trusted, high-integrity organisation – we are genuine, values-led and committed to doing the right thing, even when it is not easy.
- A collaborative, innovative and constructive disruptor – we redesign services around real family need and initiate new ways of creating impact in partnership with government
Our High-Level Goals and how we will measure our progress and impact
- Lifestart operates with a surplus enabling us to invest and grow
- Our income streams are diverse managing risk effectively
- Our staff are highly engaged, productive and supported
- The number of children we support continues to increase
- Our client satisfaction rate is is high and increasing
- We measure our impact consistently – we know and can prove that what we do makes a difference