Our heritage is based on care
Catholic Healthcare was established in 1994 by the Bishops of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory as a response to changing needs in the provision of aged and community services.
Our history and proud tradition of providing care began as an initiative of six religious groups.
- The Sisters of Charity
- The Sisters of St Joseph, NSW Province
- The St John of God Brothers
- The Little Company of Mary
- The St John of God Sisters
- The Sisters of Mercy, Singleton
Catholic Healthcare’s first major work was the development of a health service at Windsor. In partnership with NSW Health, and now known as the Hawkesbury District Health Service, it continues today to provide a comprehensive range of health and community services to the people of the Hawkesbury region.
Catholic Healthcare’s early days focused on the provision of healthcare services, with Catholic Healthcare being requested to manage Lourdes Hospital, Dubbo and St. Vincent’s Hospital, Bathurst and, for a short period, the Mater Misericordea Hospital, Newcastle.
From these beginnings, Catholic Healthcare soon responded to emerging needs in the provision of residential aged care.
In 1998, Catholic Healthcare acquired Bodington, a residential aged care service, from the Red Cross and then partnered with religious orders, parishes, dioceses, and community groups in the provision of aged care across metropolitan and regional New South Wales.
Developing and redeveloping residential aged care services also became a focus for the organisation, ensuring its services met the needs of residents and in particular, provided a home-like environment where residents and families would feel welcome.
Aged care development and redevelopment projects continue today and will continue in the future.
In 2007, Catholic Healthcare took its first steps outside NSW, working with the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration and the Archdiocese of Brisbane to provide residential aged care services in Brisbane and Ipswich.
Catholic Healthcare has grown to be one of the largest providers of Catholic aged and community services in Australia. Working in metropolitan, regional and rural New South Wales and also South East Queensland, Catholic Healthcare now owns or operates 42 residential aged care services and 12 retirement living communities.
Since 1998, Catholic Healthcare has been increasingly engaged in providing care and accommodation to those facing financial hardship, and older people living with mental illness.
Homelessness and the problems facing those living in domestic squalor have also seen the development of our Hoarding and Squalor specialist team, and the delivery of the Buried in Treasures support program.
Catholic Healthcare also assists over 4,500 people in New South Wales and Queensland with Home Care services and support.
Today, with in excess of 4,000 employees, Catholic Healthcare has an enviable reputation in the provision of health, aged, and community services.
Operating within a values-based culture of courage, compassion and integrity, Catholic Healthcare will continue to seek out and respond to new needs and challenges as they emerge, inspired by the healing ministry of Jesus.
Our Funding
We receive funding from the following Australian and NSW State Government Departments: Department of Health and Ageing; Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care; Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and NSW Health.
Our Responsibilities
We are regulated by Federal and State laws and are subject to the Code of Canon Law of the Roman Catholic Church.