Australia’s population is ageing – rapidly. Around 16% of Australia’s population is aged 65 and over. That’s 3.8 million Australians – and counting. From a business perspective, there’s great opportunity in aged care services. The Federal Budget included additional funding for in-home care. And Queensland-owned franchise Home Instead Senior Care Australia is looking for franchisees in Townsville and Cairns. No aged care experience necessary.

With 3.8 million Australians currently aged 65 and over, our ageing population is providing as many issues as it is opportunities. 

“This figure [3.8 million] is expected to double within the next 40 years,” says Jerry Dvorak, National Franchise Development Manager for Home Instead Senior Care Australia. “And the number of Australians aged 85+ is also expected to double by 2030, and double again by 2050.

With surveys indicating 90% of elderly Australians prefer to remain in their own homes, rather than relocate to an aged care home, in-home aged care services like those offered by Home Instead Senior Care Australia are growing in demand. Services include assistance with personal care, light household duties, meal preparation, medication reminders, and transport to appointments, shopping and social outings.

“Many older Australians find the idea of moving into an aged care home very confrontational, there’s a lot of distress involved,” explains Jerry. “The times when you are born, grow up and pass in the same town are gone. You may not live in the same city, or country, as your ageing parents, but you still want to provide quality care for your parents – when you’re not there, we can be.”

Originating in the USA, there are currently more than 1,000 Home Instead Senior Care franchises in the US, Germany, Switzerland, China and Australia among other countries. 

Brisbane couple Martin and Sarah Warner purchased the Australian master franchise rights in 2004, after caring for their own ageing parents and realising the lack of suitable home care and companionship service options. July marks the opening of Home Instead Senior Care Australia’s fortieth franchise, which is in Geelong. Currently, franchises are located throughout Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Perth and non-capital cities including Port Macquarie, Toowoomba and Wollongong. 

Home Instead Senior Care Australia’s existing franchisees comes from diverse backgrounds including teachers, salespeople, social workers, retail managers, nurses, chefs and even a butcher.

Two cities identified as being able to benefit from Home Instead’s in-home aged care services are Townsville and Cairns, with their solid regional populations. If you’re passionate and enthusiastic about caring for others, and want to own your own business, a Home Instead Senior Care Australia franchise may be worth exploring.

“The times when you are born, grow up and pass in the same town are gone.”

“Aged care experience isn’t necessary to become a franchisee,” says Jerry. “Your success is really driven by your ability to network in your local community and build meaningful relationships with allied health professionals. 

“Those relationships are really key, but of course any successful business is built by putting the end user first – which in this case is the client you care for. ‘Client first, task second’ is what we say.

“This is a business that is not like any other, it’s unique; we know that, and we’re very selective in who we take on as a franchisee.”

For those who are selected, the research suggests satisfaction is likely. In 2016, 79% of Home Instead franchisees completed the ACE Franchisee Satisfaction Survey administered by the Franchise Relationships Institute. The results show franchisee satisfaction is high across all six Mood Monitor dimensions, particularly leadership and sense of connection. Home Instead franchisee satisfaction was significantly higher than the Franchise Sector Benchmark on 23 of the 24 Mood Monitor indicators, which was deemed an “excellent result” by the Franchise Relationship Institute.

So, what is Jerry looking for in a Home Instead franchisee? “Passion and enthusiasm. It’s important to be able to build the relationships with allied health professionals, and the local community. 

“After a few introductory phone calls, to get to know each other, prospective franchisees go through a discovery process with me at our head office in Brisbane,” explains Jerry. “They meet our entire national office team that supports their business, from marketing to IT to payroll to operations.”

If you’re passionate and enthusiastic about caring for others, and want to own your own business, a Home Instead Senior Care Australia franchise may be worth exploring.

Franchisees undergo one week of training in Brisbane, a visit from Home Instead’s operations manager once they’ve launched, and ongoing support throughout the operation of the franchise.

Interested in exploring how a Home Instead Senior Care franchise could change your life? Visit homeinstead.com.au/franchise-opportunities for more information and hear what existing franchisees are saying or email Jerry directly at jerry.dvorak@homeinstead.com.au for an obligation-free chat.