SA disability employment services provider to collapse
The second-largest employer for people with disability in Australia is expected to enter voluntary administration on Sunday, impacting 1400 people across SA.
Bedford – an 80-year-old disability employment services provider – will enter voluntary administration on Sunday, 27 July, the company said in a statement.
The company claims it is the second-largest employer for people with disability in the country, with the decision to appoint administrators expected to “directly impact 1400 people with disability across South Australia”.
The “heartbreaking decision” comes after the company “has spent recent years firmly focused on innovation to decouple the organisation from the reliance on funding models related to the NDIS”.
It said it advised clients, families and staff of the decision this morning, “following an exhausting negotiation process with the state and Federal Governments, banking and commercial partners NAB”.
“Bedford leaders continue to seek a future which protects our clients, residents and staff and dialogue remains open with the Federal Government and relevant partners until our deadline of Sunday 27 July 2025,” Bedford said.
“Our people remain our priority and today we advised all those potentially impacted of the organisation’s likely position as of Monday 28 July, 2025.”
Bedford CEO Myron Mann said the company remained “steadfast in our commitment to supporting each of our clients, residents and staff during this challenging time,” Mann said.
“It is a devastating situation with vast personal impact. Bedford provides a haven for so many South Australians and has done so for the past 80 years.
“It is an incredibly disappointing outcome not only for Bedford but for the national disability sector.”
She said the company demonstrated “clear intent to drive change and innovation to remain financially sustainable however the magnitude of challenges faces, particularly in relation to the supported employment model, remain complex to navigate and unprofitable for organisations.”
In a statement, Premier Peter Malinauskas said there had been “active discussions between the State Government and Bedford regarding its financial situation” for some weeks.
Stay informed, daily
“We’re appreciative of the cooperative nature of discussions that have been happening to this point,” he said.
“The South Australian Government has made offers of financial assistance to Bedford throughout this process and we look forward to those discussions continuing.
“The State Government’s first priority is the care and support of the people who rely on Bedford.
“I will be having a meeting with Bedford tomorrow.”
