Regional Growth Continues for Respect

Respect is set to welcome another rural Victorian community to the family. On 25 August 2025, Chaffey Aged Care and Generations Early Learning, currently operated by Rural Care Australia (RCA), will officially join the group.

Chaffey Aged Care is a 100-bed residential aged care home in Merbein, Victoria, and Generations Early Learning provides high-quality childcare on the same site. The move is designed to secure the long-term future of care services for the local community.

The acquisition will be Respect’s ninth aged care home to join the organisation in 2025, further cementing our position as one of Australia’s largest regional aged care providers and a significant leader in the industry. Respect now operates 36 aged care homes across five states, including 15 in regional Victoria.

Our CEO, Jason Binder, said the organisation is committed to building on Chaffey Aged Care’s strong local legacy.

“Like Chaffey Aged Care, we are passionate about delivering exceptional care for older people in rural communities,” Jason said.

“We are structured to specifically operate regional aged care homes at scale, ensuring first and foremost the highest quality of care, while also maintaining the financial sustainability of regional aged care services. We look forward to welcoming residents, families, and staff into our national organisation, which has a proven record of quality care services, and a commitment to reinvesting in local communities.”

The transition comes at a critical time for residential aged care in Australia. Around one in three older Australians live in regional or remote areas, where access to quality services is often limited and many standalone providers are struggling to remain viable.

Angela Gransden, Board Chair of Rural Care Australia, said the transition was driven by the increasing challenges of operating as a small standalone provider in regional Australia.

“In recent years we have faced workforce shortages, rising costs, and increasing compliance demands,” Ms Gransden said. “Our commitment to providing the highest quality of care has made it unsustainable for us to continue independently. That is why we sought to join a larger not-for-profit organisation to secure our future.”

“We chose Respect because of its values and proven ability to deliver excellent care across its regional communities, while maintaining financial sustainability through its size and capability. It has a strong track record of delivering care in regional areas, and its practical, down-to-earth culture, focus on care, and commitment to staff wellbeing will align with the expectations of the Merbein community.”

The transition marks Respect’s first venture into early years education, with Generations Early Learning offering exciting opportunities for cross-generational connections.

“Many of our homes already have thriving intergenerational programs, so we’ve seen firsthand the benefits these relationships bring to both residents and children,” Mr Binder said.

“We will work closely with experienced external advisors to ensure a seamless transition for the childcare services. Importantly, the existing team, including the current childcare centre manager, will remain in place to guarantee stability and continuity for families and staff.”

This development is part of another significant year for Respect, which has recently extended its support for older Australians into regional communities in Western Australia and Queensland.

“As one of Australia’s largest regional aged care providers, we take great pride in our commitment to the heart of this country, its regions. We believe every Australian, no matter where they live, deserves the best care possible.”

The transfer will take place under a carefully managed and comprehensive transition plan, prioritising consistent care and services for residents and children.