“This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing the safest, highest-quality in-home care to seniors across Australia, while also helping to address the caregiver shortage by creating meaningful job opportunities,”
“Our passionate franchise owners and dedicated teams go above and beyond every day to transform the home care experience for seniors. This honour reflects their dedication to delivering unparalleled personalised care and companionship in their local communities.”
The story of Senior Helpers Far North Queensland (SHFNQ) begins in September 2019 — not in a corporate boardroom, but in the heart of a family home in Cairns. Kylie Hamilton and her partner in business, Jonathan Jeynes, faced a challenge close to many Australians’ hearts: finding the right in-home care for their loved ones.
They wanted care that allowed older Australians and people living with disabilities to remain safely and comfortably in their own homes, with dignity, independence, and full control over their care. They also wanted a business model with strong systems, compliance, and industry-leading standards.
That search led them to Senior Helpers, a mission-driven franchise brand with the governance, policies, and processes to deliver care at the highest level.
Starting under the company name 2 Families Cairns Pty Ltd, operations began in Kylie’s living room. The early days were hands-on and all-consuming: the couple ran payroll, marketing, rostering, care coordination, and even transport services, all while building a small but passionate team of six care staff. From there, they moved to a small Anderson Street office, then expanded to a larger Mulgrave Road location, adding a satellite office in Innisfail.
SHFNQ’s growth was deliberate and strategic. The leadership team invested in professional partnerships with experts like Trinity Advisory and implemented Pumpkin Plan Training with business coach Rod Sherrington, focusing on steady growth, robust business planning, and continuous improvement.
By early 2024, the team seized an opportunity to purchase a small Cairns-based care business with Aged Care Accreditation and NDIS approval. This acquisition not only strengthened SHFNQ’s service offering and compliance credentials but also brought on two non-executive directors with deep aged care and clinical governance expertise.
Becoming the Master Franchisor
Senior Helpers is an internationally recognised home care franchise, founded in the US in 2002 and operating in Australia since 2011. By 2024, the Master Franchise in Australia was up for sale.
Kylie and Jonathan saw an opportunity to take their proven success story nationwide. In May 2024, they purchased the Master Franchise rights for Senior Helpers Australia.
In just over a year, they have grown the network from 13 franchisees to 30, with more territories in the pipeline. As Master Franchise Owners, they now provide the systems, training, marketing, and operational support to help other franchise owners replicate their success — whether they’re in metropolitan Sydney or remote Western Australia.
Why Senior Helpers Stands Out
In an industry where demand is growing rapidly due to Australia’s ageing population, Senior Helpers has built a reputation for exceptional, personalised in-home care.
Franchise owners benefit from:
- Proven Care Programs – including Senior Gems® Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care (developed with dementia care expert Teepa Snow) and a Parkinson’s Care Program (in partnership with the Parkinson’s Foundation Centres of Excellence).
- Full Compliance Support – guidance on meeting aged care standards, NDIS requirements, and industry reforms.
- Comprehensive Training – proven training platform for staff, care partners and owners covering everything from infection control, hand hygiene, influenza prevention, and more.
- Operational Excellence – robust systems for rostering, billing, client management, and staff onboarding.
- Marketing Power – local and national campaigns, plus an established brand trusted worldwide.
It Takes a Village
One of Kylie’s guiding principles is: “It takes a village to raise children, but it takes a horde of specialists to build and maintain a successful company.”
Senior Helpers Australia’s support network is second to none. Franchise owners have training with experts in HR, accounting, compliance, and marketing. This means they can focus on building client relationships and delivering care; while knowing they have specialists backing them up in every key business area.
A Business with Heart
While the systems and processes are important, the true differentiator is the human side of the business. Senior Helpers’ non-clinical Consumer Directed Care (CDC) model ensures clients choose the services they want, when and how they want them.
This approach, combined with deep community connections, creates loyalty and trust. Franchisees are encouraged to embed themselves locally — partnering with First Nations health services, supporting culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and hosting free information sessions to help families navigate My Aged Care.
Staff are treated like family, with flexible work arrangements, professional development opportunities, and recognition programs that build morale and retention — because happy staff deliver better care.
The Franchise Opportunity
Senior Helpers offers a premier franchise model for compassionate entrepreneurs ready to make a difference while building a profitable business.
Why join Senior Helpers Australia?
- Established Global Brand – internationally recognised and trusted.
- Proven Business Model – structured for growth and efficiency.
- Exclusive Territories – secure your own defined market.
- Growing Demand – driven by demographic trends and preference for in-home care.
- Comprehensive Support – from startup to daily operations.
Investment at a Glance
- Working Capital & Setup: Additional investment required for office and staffing.
- Startup Timeline: Most franchisees launch within a few months of signing.
- Available Territories: Prime metropolitan and regional locations nationwide.
Who We’re Looking For
- Passion for quality care and community impact.
- Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
- Entrepreneurial mindset.
- Healthcare or business experience helpful but not essential — full training provided.
Looking Ahead
For Kylie and Jonathan, the journey from a living room start-up to national Master Franchisors has been defined by vision, persistence, and the right people.
“We have nothing to sell but our reputation for providing great service. Our clients have a choice — and they choose us,” says Jonathan.
Now, they are inviting like-minded entrepreneurs to join the Senior Helpers family and help shape the future of in-home care in Australia.
Franchise opportunities with Senior Helpers Australia are available now. For a detailed investment guide and available territories, contact Franchise Wisely and start your journey towards owning a business that combines financial success with meaningful community impact.
Jonathan Jeynes – With close to 2 decades of experience in the care sector, Jonathan has dedicated his career to supporting others and improving the quality of life for older people. He began his journey in the United Kingdom as a support worker, where he developed a strong foundation in frontline care and a deep appreciation for compassion, empathy, and respect when working with vulnerable individuals.
After relocating to Australia, Jonathan continued his work in aged care and progressed into leadership and management roles. For more than a decade, he has successfully managed teams, overseen service delivery, and ensured that care meets both regulatory requirements and the personal needs of clients. His leadership approach emphasises creating positive workplace cultures and empowering staff, recognising that a motivated and valued workforce is essential to delivering exceptional outcomes.
Jonathan’s management experience has provided him with extensive knowledge of the complexities of aged care, from navigating policy and compliance to adapting to the evolving expectations of clients and families. Today, as a Director of Senior Helpers, Jonathan combines his frontline experience with strategic leadership, continuing his lifelong commitment to person-centred care and making a meaningful difference in his community.
Kylie Hamilton – Born and raised in Cairns, Kylie brings more than 20 years of administration and business management expertise to her role as an owner of Senior Helpers Far North Queensland and Senior Helpers Australia. Her career began in the Australian Army Reserve, where she developed discipline, resilience, and strong organisational skills that have guided her professional journey.
After her time in the Army Reserve, Kylie moved into administration roles within the travel and mining industries. Working in these fast-paced and highly regulated environments, she refined her skills in operations, compliance, and client services. Known for her ability to adapt quickly and implement efficient systems, she became a trusted professional who consistently delivered reliable outcomes.
Kylie’s strong community ties and passion for supporting others inspired her transition into aged care leadership. Today, as one of the owners of Senior Helpers, she is dedicated to ensuring seniors and people living with disabilities receive high-quality care delivered with dignity and respect. Her background in administration, combined with her commitment to people and community, makes her a driving force in creating compassionate, reliable, and client-focused services that truly enhance quality of life.