Hireup expands to aged care, offering more choice at home

Hireup has expanded its online platform to support older Australians seeking to remain independent at home through access to aged care services.

Hireup, previously focused on serving people with disability across Australia, now offers its services to the aged care sector, aiming to address increased demand for home support and ongoing workforce shortages. The platform enables older Australians and home care providers to connect with trained, vetted support workers, allowing users to choose their own support team within their communities.

New approach to home care

Co-founders Laura and Jordan O'Reilly were motivated by their personal experience helping their grandfather, Frank, maintain his independence at home. This experience highlighted the challenges in obtaining dependable and consistent aged care, prompting the development of a model that places people at the centre of their support arrangements.

"We built Hireup to put people at the centre of their support," said CEO and Co-founder Laura O'Reilly. "That same approach can help solve one of the biggest challenges families face today - finding the right support for ageing loved ones who want to remain in their own homes."

This operational approach allows older Australians to select their preferred support workers, differentiating the platform from more traditional service providers. The aim is to provide greater continuity and choice, which the founders believe improves both outcomes and quality of life.

Sector reforms and increased demand

Significant reforms in the aged care sector are anticipated in the coming years. From November 2025, the government will introduce 300,000 additional home care places over the next decade. This expansion, supported by a commitment of AUD $4.3 billion to the new Support at Home program in FY26, is expected to amplify the demand for qualified support workers amid existing workforce shortages.

Through its network of over 14,000 support workers, Hireup aims to help fill these gaps, connecting individuals and home care providers with personnel who are both trained and vetted. According to figures shared by the company, Hireup delivers support across 82% of Australian postcodes, has facilitated over 152,000 support connections, and has provided more than 21 million hours of support to date. The company's workforce includes speakers of over 70 languages, reflecting a commitment to serving Australia's diverse communities.

Laura and Jordan's grandfather Frank is among those benefitting from the model, having handpicked a team to help him with household tasks, trips to appointments, and outings, allowing him to maintain his independence. The company views cases like Frank's as examples of how personalised support can help individuals stay connected to their communities and retain autonomy over their lives.

Leadership team strengthened

In conjunction with its expansion, Hireup has added two new board members: Michele Smith OAM and Paralympian Annabelle Williams OAM.

Michele Smith is recognised for her extensive experience in clinical governance and has worked in a range of leadership roles in the healthcare sector across Australia and New Zealand. Smith is credited with roles in hospitals, aged care, disability services, and community health, including serving as CEO of North Eastern Community Hospital and chairing the Eyre Far North Local Health Network in South Australia. She is expected to play a key role in supporting Hireup's transition into aged care.

Annabelle Williams is an accomplished Paralympic athlete who competed at the Beijing and London Games, earning Australia a bronze medal and a gold medal in the 4x100m medley relay. Alongside her sporting achievements, Williams is a lawyer and advocate for inclusion and has held positions such as Legal Counsel for the Australian Olympic Committee and board roles with Swimming Australia and Paralympics Australia. Williams brings experience in fostering inclusive and high-performance cultures globally.

According to the company, these board appointments demonstrate an intention to continue building its service delivery capabilities and commitment to the values underpinning its growth and support of the community in both the disability and aged care sectors.