Impact Report
2025 – 2026
We’re proud to share this report which highlights the stories and milestones from our 2025/26 year and celebrates the people at the heart of every one of them.
If you’d like support to read this report, we’re happy to help. Just contact us at info@livit.org.au.
A Message from …
Jill Coombe
Board Chair
This year has been one of achievement and transition for Livit.
Throughout 2025/26, we continued supporting people with disability to live meaningful lives, stay connected to their communities and pursue their goals. We also introduced our new name and brand, Livit Disability Support, marking an important milestone in our organisation’s evolution.
While our brand has changed, our purpose remains the same. That is delivering high-quality services, listening to the people we support, and keeping Livit strong, sustainable and ready for the future.
Our NDIS recertification audit reflected this, where we were recognised for best practice in several areas.
The Board also oversaw an important leadership transition. On behalf of the Board, I thank Mark Kulinski for his outstanding contribution over almost two decades of leadership and welcome Samantha Hellams as she begins Livit’s next chapter as Chief Executive.
Thank you to the people we support, and to the families, staff, volunteers, partners and supporters who strengthen Livit and the communities we serve.
Mark Kulinski
Chief Executive (retired June 2026)
As I reflect on my final year as Chief Executive, I feel an enormous sense of gratitude.
Over the years, I have seen the difference the right support makes when people have what they need to pursue their goals, build connections and live the lives they choose. I have also seen the commitment of staff, volunteers and families who make those opportunities possible every day.
The disability sector continues to evolve, bringing both opportunities and challenges. Through that change, Livit has remained focused on quality support, listening to the people we support and building a strong, sustainable organisation.
I am especially proud of Livit’s culture, genuine relationships, shared purpose and a willingness to improve. These qualities are reflected throughout this report.
Thank you to everyone who has been part of Livit’s journey this year. It has been a privilege to serve this organisation, and I leave confident in its future and the people who will continue to shape it.
Samantha Hellams
Chief Executive
As I write this, I am still very new to Livit, having joined the organisation in June 2026.
This report has given me a deeper appreciation for Livit’s genuine and authentic approach to supporting people with disability. It’s an approach shaped by the people who came before me and those who continue to make Livit what it is today.
As I look ahead, I am excited about what’s before us. Significant reform will keep shaping the disability sector, bringing new challenges and possibilities. The voices of the people we support, the strength of our team and the values that guide us every day give me confidence.
To everyone who has been part of Livit in 2025/26, thank you. Whether you’re someone we support, a family member, staff member, volunteer, partner or supporter, this report reflects your contribution.
I feel incredibly privileged to be joining Livit at this point in its story. I look forward to working alongside you as we write the next chapter together.
Celebrating our NDIS audit results
Every few years, independent auditors take a close look at how we work and the support people receive.
This year, auditors named three Elements of Best Practice at Livit.
- Client Advisory Board: giving the people we support opportunities to meaningfully contribute to organisational policy, processes, and decision-making.
- Communication Support: supporting people to communicate in ways that work for them, including through communication profiles and alternative communication methods.
- Incident Management: using real-time incident reporting and monitoring to identify trends, support oversight, and drive continuous improvement.
Auditors also identified six Areas of Strength, including human connection and meaningful relationships, lived experience at governance level, long-serving staff contribution to culture and values, internal auditing and continuous improvement, positive organisational culture and quality service delivery and positive feedback from clients and staff.
Over the next sections, you’ll see what some of this looked like for the people we support.
We Supported
-
85
people in home and living services, creating homes, routines, and lives of their own
-
34
people to maintain their health, independence and quality of life through high-intensity daily personal activities
-
198
people connecting, learning new skills, and making memories through group programs
-
40
people in our short-term accommodation, providing a home away from home, and peace of mind for families
Number of People with HIDPA
(High Intensity Daily Personal Activities)
- Complex Bowel Care 11
- Ventilator Management 6
- Severe Dysphagia Management 6
- Enteral Feeding and Management 5
- Subcutaneous Injections 3
- Urinary Catheter Management 2
- Complex Wound Management 1
We’ve created a community built on belonging
Staff
-
250
Less than 5
years -
136
5-9
years -
51
10-14
years -
15
15+
years
Clients
-
96
Less than 5
years -
71
5-9
years -
63
10-14
years -
72
15+
years
Our Team
-
Part-time
53.3% -
Casual
33.6% -
Full-time
13.1%
-
Average Support Worker Hours Per Fortnight
59.72 permanent part-time32.66 casual -
152 mandatory training sessions delivered
-
5,051 hours of mandatory training completed
-
91 client-specific training sessions delivered
-
1,283 hours of client-specific training completed
Client-specific training helps ensure staff understand the unique support needs, communication preferences and health requirements of individual clients
Information correct as at June 30 2026
Quality Support in Action
Good support looks different for every person. This year, independent auditors recognised our Elements of Best Practice and Areas of Strength. These included the way we support people to communicate, and the way we respond and learn from incidents. Here’s what that looked like in real life.
Communication helps people exercise choice and control in everyday life. Some people use words; others use signs, gestures, pictures or technology. Respecting those differences helps people share preferences, understand information and make decisions.
That’s why we build staff’s skills in Key Word Signing and make communication boards available so people can communicate in ways that work for them.
One example of this in action is Jonny, who uses gestures, signs and visual supports. Together with Team Leader Tess, Jonny created an accessible Social Story about medication.
Using pictures and simple information, the story helped Jonny understand what his medication was for, what to expect and what would happen in his daily routine.
The Social Story supported his right to choice, confidence and independence.
We’ll keep building on this in the year ahead, because everyone deserves information they can understand and opportunities to make choices about their own life.
Things don’t always go to plan. When they don’t, it’s important we notice quickly and learn from it.
This year, auditors recognised Livit’s incident oversight as an Element of Best Practice. Through live Power BI dashboards, our executive team and Board can see incident reports in real time, every day of the year. That lets us understand not just each incident on its own, but patterns over time, so we can act early and keep improving.
Internal audits and direct feedback from the people we support and our staff add to this picture. Together, incident reporting, audits and feedback shaped service improvements during the year and strengthened consistency and quality across our services.
For years, Angus and his family had thought about a big step. Angus wanted to move out of the family home and into a place of his own. This kind of support is known as Supported Independent Living, or SIL.
It was a big change and one his family understandably felt nervous about.
Over several years, Angus, his family and our team talked through the options of different homes, different locations, and what day-to-day life and support might look like. When the time came, we worked hard to keep the routines and support approaches Angus knew and trusted, so his new home felt familiar from the start.
Angus has settled in and he lets the team know just how much he’s enjoying it. He’s built a close bond with the workers who support him, and being in his own home has opened up new experiences and a wider social world. His family is excited for his future too.
“Having Angus move into independent living was one of the most difficult decisions the family had to make, but with health issues in the family it was the best thing. Since moving in, Angus has really enjoyed it and our family couldn’t have been more pleased with the results. The Livit team have been fantastic with all of Angus’ needs and we could not speak higher of them. The team have been fantastic keeping us updated and going above and beyond with everything they do. While we thought Angus being there would be temporary it has now turned into a happy permanent place for Angus” – Edith, Angus’s Nanna & Guardian
Another focus this year was continuity of care through every stage of life. We were there for the celebrations, the milestones, and the hard moments too. Having supported many people over decades, we also had the privilege of being alongside some of them in the final stages of their lives.
For the people we support, staying in their own home, surrounded by familiar people, routines and memories, can mean everything. Being ready to provide high-intensity support meant they could remain at home as their needs changed. We worked closely with each person, their family, health professionals and wider support networks, so they could keep living where they felt most comfortable, connected and supported.
For our support workers, caring for someone through the final stage of their life is both a privilege and a real responsibility. The relationships they’ve built bring familiarity and reassurance at an important time. We support our workers with the training and guidance they need, and we recognise the emotional weight of the work they do.
We feel honoured to be trusted to support people safely, with dignity and respect, through such an important stage of life.
Community, Confidence, and Change
Good support needs to be backed up by the tools our workers use, the events that bring people together and the plans that keep everyone safe. This year we kept finding new ways to help people connect with their community, feel confident, and be ready for whatever change brings. Here’s some of what that looked like.
When you’re supporting someone, the last thing you want is to be juggling paperwork. So this year we brought everything a support worker needs into one app, ready to go on their phone.
At any time, a worker can see who they’re supporting, when and what matters to that person. The app also makes it fast and easy to jot notes on the spot, log their travel and book leave.
We started in the Riverland, and the app is now used across the Murraylands, South Coast, Limestone Coast and the Hills & Strathalbyn regions.
For the people we support, the difference is simple: a worker who is prepared, present, and has more time to spend with them. We’ll keep improving the app with input from our teams and the people we support.
Some days are just good fun and our All Abilities Pool Party is one of them. Each year we host it at the Murray Bridge Swimming Centre and open it up to the whole disability community.
This year it brought together 84 people with disability from five regions and nine service providers, for a day of connection, participation and fun. It’s become one of the highlights of our calendar, drawing people from across South Australia to catch up with old friends, meet new ones and enjoy a day out together. There’s music, dancing, competitions and plenty of pool games, all set up so everyone can join in, however they like to have fun.
We love what happens when people come together in a space built for everyone. By teaming up with local councils and community organisations, we’re creating more of these chances for people with disability to connect and be part of their community.
Emergencies can happen without warning, so we plan ahead to keep people safe. For us that means:
- Practising evacuations
- Planning for disruptions like severe weather
- Working with local councils on community emergency plans
- Checking how we share information, so we can reach people quickly and keep them safe
That planning was put to the test when the power went out across one of our regions. Our plans kicked in straight away, and we made sure people were safe and comfortable. That meant having access to lighting, heating and cooling, essential health equipment, phones and devices to stay in touch.
We’ve shared it all with our Client Advisory Board, who keep us honest about what worked, what didn’t, and how we can do better.
People, Culture and Capability
Every day, our staff bring compassion, skill and commitment to their work, helping the people we support live the lives they choose.
This year, our audit recognised our long-serving team and positive culture as real strengths, a reflection of the relationships, shared purpose and sense of community built here over many years.
So we’ve kept investing in our people, celebrating good work, developing new leaders and creating room to grow. When our team is skilled, supported and glad to be here, the people we support feel it too.
Late in 2025 we refreshed our values: Real, Together and Ready. The words were new, but they reflected how our team already show up for the people we support, work together and approach challenges every day.
We saw those values in action with our first Values Awards. More than 50 nominations recognised over 70 staff across the organisation for the difference they make to the people we serve, colleagues and their communities. The stories behind them told us everything. People backing each other up, building genuine relationships, finding practical ways through problems, and showing real care, often in the small moments that never make it into a report.
It all points the same way. A culture where everyone feels connected and focused on the thing that matters most: the best possible support for the people we serve.
When Isla completed work experience with Livit while still at school, it quickly became clear she had something special to offer. Staff noticed how naturally she connected with the people she supported and her colleagues, as well as her calm approach and genuine willingness to engage with those around her. The experience was just as positive for Isla, who left excited about building a future in disability support.
Working alongside Heathfield High School, HITsa and Isla’s family, Livit helped create a school-based traineeship that let Isla continue her education while gaining practical experience in the workplace. It gave her a pathway into a career she was passionate about while she completed Year 12 and studied towards a Certificate III in Individual Support.
Throughout her traineeship, Isla balanced school, formal study and hands-on experience supporting people in Day Options. We tailored the pace to suit how she learns best, and as her confidence grew, so did her skills. She embraced new learning, developed a strong understanding of person-centred support, and built positive relationships with both clients and her team.
Today, Isla has completed her traineeship and stepped into a Support Worker role with Livit. Her journey shows that, given the right opportunities and encouragement, people can build confidence, develop real skills and discover career paths they may never have imagined.
“I absolutely loved it. I loved meeting the clients and the other workers there. It just opened my eyes up to how big the world is. Seeing them smile, it’s just the best job I could ever ask for, and I love it so much. I was doing school at the same time as the traineeship and everyone was just saying how much it changed me for the better.
I always felt supported. The team always told me about the client, what their triggers are, what I can do for them. I always felt confident going into it because I was so supported, I could always ask questions and the clients and the workers were just truly the best. I wouldn’t have changed my experience at all.
When you see a client smile or them accomplishing something that they always wanted to accomplish, or when a client remembered me. You know you’ve made an impact on their day and you’ve helped them in some way.”
Leadership pathways run right through Livit. Today, 18 of our 22 Team Leaders started out as Support Workers here. Our new Emerging Leaders Program builds on that.
For a Support Worker, stepping up to lead can feel like a big leap. You’ve spent your time supporting people, not managing a team, and the two can seem worlds apart. This year, 13 of our team took that leap and joined the program to find out what leading really involves.
They spent time alongside experienced Team Leaders, saw the role up close, and took on real responsibilities of their own. One thing came through for many of them. Leading is about far more than coordinating rosters and paperwork. It’s about listening, communicating clearly, building trust, and helping the people around you do their best work.
“The most valuable part of the program has been my growth in confidence as an emerging leader. Being encouraged to step outside my comfort zone, reflect on my practice and receive feedback has helped me feel more prepared to take on greater responsibility.”
– Amy, Support Worker and Emerging Leader
-
- Real
“Lisa always puts clients first, advocating for their needs even when processes get in the way. Leads with transparency, respect and a genuine commitment to doing what is right.”
Lisa Hutchison
Murraylands Client Services Manager
-
- Together
“Eliza is always ready to help, listens without judgement and makes time for staff and clients, building trust, connection and a welcoming environment.”
Eliza Herrmann
Central Senior Reception & Administration Officer
-
- Together
“Sarah generously shares her time and knowledge. Always mentoring and encouraging new Support Workers while advocating for clients and supporting colleagues with empathy.”
Sarah Thomson
Limestone Coast Support Worker
-
- Ready
“Kaz travelled to every region to deliver training for the new app, gather feedback and support staff through change, helping set teams up for success.”
Kaz Wilkinson
Central ICT Solutions Support Coordinator
-
- Ready
“Renee makes it her priority to know every detail about the people she supports, ensuring she is prepared for changes and helping keep support consistent and responsive.”
Renee Marschall
Riverland Support Worker
Lisa Hutchison
Murraylands Client Services Manager
- Real
Eliza Herrmann
Central Senior Reception & Administration Officer
- Together
Sarah Thomson
Limestone Coast Support Worker
- Together
Kaz Wilkinson
Central ICT Solutions Support Coordinator
- Ready
Renee Marschall
Riverland Support Worker
- Ready
From our Client Advisory Board
We are a Client Advisory Board of Livit clients who meet every second month to share the client experience and feedback.
Organisations don’t know what it is really like to use their services unless they ask the people who use them. That’s why Livit asks us to share our point of view.
We talk about what is working well and what could be improved. We give advice on projects, plans and decisions, helping Livit better understand the needs and experiences of the people it supports.
During Livit’s NDIS recertification audit, the Client Advisory Board was recognised as an example of best practice for client participation in governance and organisational decision-making.
This year, we had opportunities to share our ideas and experiences to help shape Livit’s future. Some of the things we gave feedback on were:
● emergency planning,
● cyber safety awareness,
● events,
● service quality,
● Livit’s new brand.
We also took part in committees, working groups and recruitment activities across the organisation. Two Client Advisory Board members joined the interview panel for a Reception & Administration Officer role, helping bring a client point of view to the recruitment process.
By sharing our lived experience, we help Livit make decisions that reflect what is important to the people who use its services.
Being part of the Client Advisory Board helps us build confidence, develop new skills and learn from each other.
Throughout the year, we took part in training opportunities including Peer Mentoring training through SACID and the I Can Lead workshops.
We learned skills like:
• listening
• asking questions
• public speaking
• providing feedback
• supporting others to have their voices heard
We also revisit our group norms every second meeting. These are the agreements we created together about how we work as a group. They help everyone feel respected, included and confident to share our thoughts.
The Client Advisory Board is built on respect, inclusion and teamwork. We support each other to speak up, share ideas and join discussions.
Our group norms help us make sure everyone has a chance to join in.
- One person speaks at a time.
- Everyone has a chance to share their ideas.
- We listen and speak respectfully.
- What is shared in the group stays private.
By regularly reviewing these agreements together, we remind ourselves to create a space where everyone can learn and grow.
Financials
This year, we continued to invest in the future of Livit and the services we provide. Although this affected our final result, our financial position remains strong, giving us confidence that we can continue supporting our clients and communities for many years to come.
There’s a lot of change across the NDIS right now, so we want to be straight about where Livit stands. We’re ready for it, and our focus hasn’t shifted. It’s still on supporting people to live the life they choose.
What keeps us steady through change is experience. We’ve supported people through plenty over the years. We have systems we trust, and we have people who know what they’re doing. Just as important, we listen.
Livit is a registered NDIS provider, and the results below show we’re on solid financial footing. For the people who rely on us, that’s about more than numbers. It means we can keep investing in our people, systems and services, and stay strong and reliable now and into the future.
We’ll be here for the long term, and we’re not standing still. We’ll keep looking for better ways to help people live the life they want.
| Profit & Loss |
2026 |
2025 |
| Operating revenue | 37,713 | 36,947 |
| Other income | 934 | 897 |
| Total income | 38,647 | 37,844 |
| Employee expenses | 35,279 | 34,495 |
| Other expenses | 3,421 | 3,413 |
| Total expenses | 38,700 | 37,908 |
| Operating result | (53) | (64) |
| Other comprehensive income | (4) | 493 |
| Total comprehensive income | (57) | 429 |
| Balance Sheet |
2026 |
2025 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 2,578 | 2,567 |
| Financial assets | 8,102 | 8,504 |
| Other current assets | 1,340 | 2,021 |
| Total current assets | 12,020 | 13,092 |
| Financial assets | 4,755 | 4,580 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 1,994 | 988 |
| Other non current assets | 1,519 | 2,129 |
| Total non current assets | 8,268 | 7,697 |
| Total assets | 20,288 | 20,789 |
| Trade and other payables | 1,690 | 1,334 |
| Employee provisions | 2,762 | 2,795 |
| Other current liabilities | 564 | 708 |
| Total current liabilities | 5,016 | 4,837 |
| Employee provisions | 576 | 719 |
| Other non current liabilities | 1,007 | 1,486 |
| Total non current liabilities | 1,583 | 2,205 |
| Total liabilities | 6,599 | 7,042 |
| Net Assets | 13,689 | 13,747 |
Thank You
Thank you to the people who guide Livit’s future through their service on our Board of Directors: Jill Coombe, Kym Lynch, Alicia Hopper, Beata Mitkas, Bill Rowe, Nick Schumi, Elouise Van Genderen, and Jocelyn Neumueller.
Thank you to our Client Advisory Board who share their lived experience, ideas and feedback to help us do better: Nick Schumi, David Scrimshaw, Kerry Warner, Kristy Phillips, Lucinda Smibert and Sophie Pinkerton.
Thank you to all our team members who make our impact possible every day. We’re especially proud to celebrate those who reached a service milestone with Livit this year. Thank you for the years you’ve shared with us and the difference you’ve made along the way.
Team Milestones
| Name | Team | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Sue Stuart | South Coast | 25 |
| Brett Cowley | Adelaide Hills/Strathalbyn | 15 |
| David Johnson | Murray/River Lands | 15 |
| Ian Milowski | Murray/River Lands | 15 |
| Jane Evans | South Coast | 15 |
| Jess Wachtel | Murray/River Lands | 15 |
| Michael Prance | South Coast | 15 |
| Robyn Sparrow | Adelaide Hills/Strathalbyn | 15 |
| Timothy Greenstock | South Coast | 15 |
| Cynthia Gerritsen | Limestone Coast | 10 |
| Di Widdison | Limestone Coast | 10 |
| Eliza Herrmann | Administration & Reception | 10 |
| George Nikoletos | South Coast | 10 |
| Greg Challis | Adelaide Hills/Strathalbyn | 10 |
| Jasmine Gunn | Limestone Coast | 10 |
| Jess Dove | Adelaide Hills/Strathalbyn | 10 |
| Julie-anne Atkinson | Limestone Coast | 10 |
| Kristy McEwan | Limestone Coast | 10 |
| Lynne Dodd | People & Culture | 10 |
| Naomi Newham | ICT | 10 |
| Nicola Melling | South Coast | 10 |
| Raygan Potter | Finance & Facilities | 10 |
| Sue Aubert | Murray/River Lands | 10 |
| Sue Patterson | Murray/River Lands | 10 |
| Tanya Rigby-Meth | Adelaide Hills/Strathalbyn | 10 |
New Honorary Life Members
| Name | Year |
|---|---|
| Sue Stuart | 2025 |
| Mark Kulinski | 2026 |
| The Ferrarese Family | 2026 |
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