In 2024, Siblings Australia celebrated 25 years of sibling support. Whilst the numbers which reflect our impact in our early years are not available, we know that more than 50,000 siblings have benefitted from our programs and supports in the last four years alone.
Disability or chronic illness impacts the entire family, and while many families grow stronger together, others can face significant strain. Siblings Australia empowers siblings to navigate these challenges, ultimately enabling siblings to reach their own potential and be more likely to contribute to supporting their brothers and sisters. Strengthening sibling relationships enhances the wellbeing of the entire family, and reinforces the foundations of families who are navigating disabilities or chronic illness.
James and Josh (1 year and 4 years)
James and Josh (9 years and 12 years)
By focusing solely on sibling-specific needs and collaborating with other organisations, we ensure that this essential support is effectively delivered nationwide. Recent economic modelling shows that, conservatively, Siblings Australia delivers $28 of community benefit for every $1 invested which equates to an annual community benefit of at least $19,643,800 in saved NDIS and other health care costs.
Our programs and supports, created and tailored for siblings, are recognised nationally for their effectiveness in building resilience and fostering connections:
419 Alex & Arlo e-books downloaded
222 SibConnect and TeenSib participants connected nationally
10 Blogs published 5 webinars hosted
849 SibChat Members
118 Parents and professionals enrolled in our sibling-centric training and e-learning
Welcome from our Board Chair
The 2023/2024 period has been a time of significant change at Siblings Australia.
Not only have we developed some exciting new programs, including SibPlan and SibSupport, which will further expand our nationally delivered sibling support services, but we’ve also experienced key leadership transitions.
After many years of dedicated service, our Founder, Kate Strohm, has completed her transition into retirement. We also bid farewell to Peter Gill, who retired as our Board Chair after 15 years of unwavering commitment to the organisation.
Peter’s retirement marked an important moment of renewal, and I was honoured to step into the role of Board Chair at the commencement of 2024.
On behalf of the entire Siblings Australia community, I’d like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Kate and Peter for their invaluable contributions over the years. Their leadership has shaped the organisation into what it is today, and we are deeply grateful for their dedication to supporting siblings across Australia.
I am proud to lead a diverse Board whose members bring a rich blend of lived experience and professional expertise. The addition of Michael Bromley and Emily Caska has brought fresh perspectives that strengthen the organisation’s leadership. A key aspect of the Board’s role is to ensure Siblings Australia upholds strong financial management and robust governance standards, which are critical to our ongoing success.
In October, the Board was pleased to launch our 2024-2026 Strategic Plan. This plan outlines our organisational goals and the strategies that will continue to guide our work in supporting siblings of people with disability and chronic illness.
We are excited about the opportunities the next few years hold, and we are committed to advancing the mission of Siblings Australia through thoughtful planning and dedicated action.
As many of you will know, Siblings Australia’s programs and supports have been significantly expanded thanks to ILC grant funding, which concluded on 30 June 2024. While we were fortunate to secure ILC funding to deliver a new program with a partner organisation, we were disappointed to learn that our application for continued funding to expand and build upon our existing programs was not successful. As a result, these vital supports, along with the creation of new programs that siblings and families are urgently calling for, are now at risk.
Despite this setback, our commitment to supporting siblings of people with disability and chronic illness remains steadfast. We are determined to continue our work, exploring every opportunity to secure the resources needed to meet the ongoing and growing demand for our services.
Samantha Hellams, Board Chair
From our Chief Executive
In its 25th year of operation, Siblings Australia has experienced remarkable growth, expanding and enhancing our programs and support services. This growth has led to a significant, positive impact on a national scale, reaching more siblings than ever before. As a result, we have been able to ensure that siblings are not only acknowledged but also remain connected, supported, and resilient in the face of challenges.
As our Chair Sam Hellams has touched on, Siblings Australia’s previous ILC funding concluded on 30 June. Over the past four years, this funding enabled us to develop a range of programs and supports and more recently, create new programs such as SibPlan and SibSupport to further meet the needs of siblings nationally.
Raising awareness of the critical role siblings play in providing foundational support has been a key focus for Siblings Australia. Recognising siblings as integral members of the disability support ecosystem is essential, as they often provide emotional, practical, and lifelong care that is vital to the well-being of their brothers and sisters with disabilities or chronic illnesses. By including siblings as a key factor in the broader support framework, we can ensure that their contributions are acknowledged, which will be instrumental in securing future funding for our programs and initiatives.
The long-awaited NDIS Review recommendations being handed to government are expected to bring about significant change within the disability sector, some of these changes already evident or being implemented. In response to the review, Siblings Australia released a white paper exploring siblings’ contributions to achieving Australia’s Disability Strategy (ADS) 2021-2031. The paper highlights the many ways siblings provide a crucial role in the lives of their brothers and sisters with disabilities which has not been fully recognised. The White Paper examines the central supports currently provided by siblings against the policy areas in Australia’s Disability Strategy, despite a lack of recognition of the sibling relationship, or support to strengthen those relationships. You can download the white paper by clicking on the image.
Looking forward, we are excited to be partnering with Kaleidoscope Focus to deliver ‘Life Changes’, a peer-to-peer training and mentoring program for adults living with disability and their adult siblings. This exciting new program aims to build on the skills, knowledge and confidence of people living with disability, and their siblings, to successfully navigate transitional life events. Life Changes will be delivered over the next three years through a series of workshops and mentoring groups and has been funded through a new ILC grant from the Department of Social Services (DSS).
Dr Shannon Schedlich, Chief Executive
In 2023, Siblings Australia celebrated our 25th anniversary with an intimate cocktail function at the Cathedral Hotel, offering views of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. This location was particularly meaningful, as it is where our journey began in 1999, when we first commenced operations from a small office within the very same hospital.
Reaching this significant milestone is a testament to the enduring impact and success of Siblings Australia. It is also a tribute to the dedication and commitment of the staff and leadership who have shaped the organisation over the years. We are immensely proud of all that we’ve achieved together, and excited for what lies ahead as we continue to support siblings of people with disability and chronic illness.
Michael Bromley
Sam Hellams, Hon Justin Hanson, Hon Heidi Girolamo & Dr Shannon Schedlich
Andrew Gates and Rubini Gates
Kate Strohm
Peter Gill and Tim Seidel as an NFP
Highlights
In early 2023, we were thrilled to launch our online future planning resource - SibPlan! Built from the sibling perspective, the SibPlan website is for all stages of the adult sibling journey and has been carefully curated to ensure that the guidance, tools and resources are delivered from a siblings perspective, with a focus on supportive decision making.
SibPlan provides adult siblings with information and guidance on services and supports their brother or sister can access at transitional junctures in their life, as their supports or requirements change or grow.
While Siblings Australia is focused on maintaining the natural relationship between siblings, we are aware that for adult siblings, changes in circumstances can lead to new challenges as they may move into a carer role. We want to be able to support this transition as best we can. Click on or scan the QR code to access SibPlan.
Understanding your brother or sister’s disability
Over four million people in Australia live with disability. Many have a sibling they rely on, especially in adulthood.
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Home & living
There are several home and living options for people with disability, with circumstances sometimes changing over time.
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Funding & support options - NDIS & My Aged Care
The NDIS and My Aged Care are how the Australian Government funds disability support or aged care services.
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Guardianship & administration
Being appointed a guardian and/or administrator can help to protect your brother and sister’s best interests.
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Disability health & wellbeing
All decisions about your brother or sister’s healthcare and wellbeing are best made with them, not for them.
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Estate planning
Estate planning helps to ensure your brother or sister’s wishes are adhered to, and their assets are protected.
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Social, recreation & employment
Participating in positive social activities, recreation and work is an important part of your brother or sister’s identity.
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Financial planning
Financial planning can be challenging for anyone, including people with disability, their families and carers.
Learn more
disability the chance to connect socially
coffee, a meal, or even a fun game of bowling. In the past 12 months, we’ve seen significant growth in both participation numbers and geographical reach.
With a total of 200 members across five states, marking growth of over 150%.
The addition of new SibConnect chapters in New South Wales, Western Australia, and South Australia has further expanded our network, complementing the ongoing work of our established chapters in Victoria and Queensland. This growth underscores the increasing demand for peer support and our commitment to meeting that need.
My name is Jacinta, but my friends call me JC. I'm the leader of the WA SibConnect chapter.
My sister and I grew up with a younger brother, Declan, who has significant intellectual disabilities, autism, and epilepsy. This deeply shaped my perspective on the unique bonds shared between siblings. For me, storytelling has been a powerful way to navigate the complexities of the sibling relationship.
I'm passionate about creating a supportive network for other siblings, where we can exchange our experiences - whether shared or contrasting - to gain new insights and resources, or just have a laugh.
If you're a sibling in WA, please reach out - I'd love to connect!
We are creating a beautiful community of people who have a common connection and welcome new members with open arms.”
I’m Lauren and I’m the SibConnect Leader for the New South Wales chapter. I’ve lived with disability almost my entire life. My brother was born with severe disabilities, and as we grew up together, I became a secondary carer for him. A highlight of my youth was attending a sibling workshop that allowed me to connect with peers my own age who also had siblings with a disability. It felt so wonderful to be understood. I feel lucky to be able to create a similar experience with NSW SibConnect. Each meeting brings in new people who are excited and relieved to connect with people they can relate to and share their sibling experience.
In 2023, we launch our TeenSib supports, recognising the unique need to connect teen siblings. We developed a number of targeted opportunities designed to engage and support teen sibs in meaningful ways that resonate with this age group.
Our pilot in-person peer support groups, trialled in Adelaide, became a popular space for teens to connect over fun activities, while also offering the chance to network with others who share similar sibling experiences. These gatherings provide a supportive, inclusive environment where teens can form friendships and share their experiences.
To further expand our reach, we also developed online peer groups and our TeenSib Discord server, offering teens an additional online platform for peer connection. This ensures we can provide as many opportunities as possible for teens to connect, share, and support each other, no matter where
Teen
Our 2024 Highlights
We were blessed with a beautiful sunny Sunday (a rarity in May) as we hosted our inaugural Siblings Day, in partnership with Carer and Community Support SA (now Young Carers SA).
The day was all about providing important 1:1 time for a sibling child and their parent/guardian, with a big side serving of fun! It was wonderful to see the participants connecting with each other and really making the most of their time together in the beautiful Kuitpo Forest. Feedback from attendees included:
“It was so lovely to spend time together, and also hearing other people’s sibling stories”
“Valued the one on one time with my son away from his twin brothers, and enjoying a shared adventure.”
“Amazing chance to bond.”
We were grateful to have the support of Operation Flinders, who provided transport, welcome morning tea, lunch by the campfire, a treasure hunt in the forest and the all-important damper for afternoon tea…we couldn’t have
Treasurer’s Report
This year has been a particularly challenging one for our organisation, marked by significant uncertainty and disruption stemming from ongoing instability within government processes, particularly around the determination of a new funding framework for Foundational Support. This prolonged ambiguity had a direct impact on our ability to plan confidently and manage resources proactively.
Despite these hurdles, we have maintained a careful and responsible approach to financial management. Our primary focus has remained on ensuring the sustainability of our core operations while continuing to deliver essential services to our community. However, the lack of clarity regarding future funding models has delayed key initiatives, limited our capacity to commit to longer-term planning, and required us to adopt more conservative financial strategies than in previous years.
Key financial highlights:
• Expenditure: Operational costs were tightly controlled, with discretionary spending reviewed and, where possible, deferred.
• Reserves: We made strategic use of our reserves to bridge shortfalls, ensuring continuity of service without compromising our financial integrity.
• Future Outlook: While the immediate future remains uncertain, we are actively engaging with stakeholders and government representatives to advocate for a clear and equitable funding framework that will support our mission going forward.
I want to acknowledge the team and our leadership for their diligence and adaptability during this period. Their efforts have enabled us to navigate a difficult financial landscape with integrity and professionalism.
As we move into the next financial year, our priorities will be to rebuild financial confidence and continue advocating for funding certainty that reflects the critical nature of our work.
On a final note, we are extremely thankful for the continued support the community continues to provide Siblings Australia. Whilst cash donations are always welcomed, many supporters also provide their time and energy to help Siblings Australia continue to service the community in need, and we are extremely grateful for everyone’s support.
Kevin Johnson, Treasurer
To view our full financial statement, visit the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) website: acnc.gov.au
Our work has provided us with the privilege to hear many thousands of siblings’ voices – their stories and experiences which have profoundly impacted their journey through life. You can read just two of the thousands of sibling experiences by clicking or scanning the QR codes below.
