Regional aged care’s fastest mover expands

For Purpose Aged Care Australia (FPACA) has marked its fourth residential aged care opening for the year, unveiling the 144-bed South Grafton Community Aged Care facility on 1 December.

The Not For Profit operator – backed by social impact fund manager For Purpose Investment Partners – has emerged as one of the country’s fastest-growing aged care builders since its launch in 2024.

After acquiring eight Signature Care homes that year, FPACA added six developments to its pipeline, including the new South Grafton home.

The pace has continued in 2025. FPACA opened 450 new beds in FY25, accounting for 15% of all new bed capacity and one in four new homes nationwide. In contrast, the entire sector added just 800 net new beds over the period.

The operator now runs more than 2,150 beds across Australia, with another 600 in development, and is targeting a 5,000-bed portfolio within four years.

FPACA Group CEO Matthew Filocamo said many regional communities remain underserved.

“Many regional communities across Australia are underserved by aged care, have an ageing population, and need quality care that supports people to celebrate their later years,” he said. “We are focused on strong outcomes and delivering care for older Australians and job opportunities for regional care professionals.”

In South Grafton – in the NSW Northern Rivers region, 600km north of Sydney – around 40 residents are expected to transfer from Catholic Healthcare’s nearby St Francis facility, which is closing. The new home is forecast to reach full occupancy by July 2026.

South Grafton Community Aged Care is a single-storey building offering both single and double rooms with capacity for 144 residents. It includes 4D radar detection systems to monitor resident movement.

For Purpose Investment Partners’ backers include Qantas Super (now part of Australian Retirement Trust) and Australian Ethical.