OSS is AHA’s flexible support model, designed to provide backup assistance whenever needed. Available 24/7 from an onsite team, OSS complements existing primary carers by being present, but not invasive.
In East Palm Beach, that connection runs deep. For the third consecutive year, tenants at Accessible Homes Australia have elected CareMatch Australia as their preferred Onsite Shared Support (OSS) provider. It’s a reflection of trust and relationships built over time.
For Vitori (Tori) Buatava, founder of CareMatch, this re-election carries meaning.
“It’s a real privilege to be invited back,” Tori shares.
“Being re-elected by the same community year after year isn’t just about loyalty, it’s about trust. It tells us that people feel genuinely supported, respected and safe with us in their space.
“That kind of trust is earned, not expected. It about being welcomed back by people who know you’ll show up with empathy and support their independence, that’s what care is really all about.”
CareMatch’s presence in East Palm Beach isn’t loud or imposing, it’s intentional and respectful. With an office located inside the same building, carers are close enough to offer support when needed, yet mindful of each person’s autonomy.
Whether it’s assistance with daily routines or simply knowing someone is there, the setup empowers tenants to live with freedom, confidence, and peace of mind.
A Friendship That Shaped Care Leadership
Tori’s journey into disability support began over 15 years ago, when he became a personal carer for Perry Cross AM, now the Founder and CEO of AHA. A shared love of sport grew into a lasting friendship and, ultimately, the foundation for CareMatch.
“It’s always been about the relationships,” Tori says.
“Care is personal, it’s about entering someone’s world, listening to what matters to them, and helping them live confidently on their terms. That’s always been the heart of what we do.”
Through partnerships with organisations like AHA, CareMatch delivers care that’s collaborative, and consistent. The kind of care that changes lives by empowering choice and building lasting trust.
Carers Are The Backbone of Independent Living
While OSS providers like CareMatch are crucial, National Carers Week also recognises those who don’t wear uniforms: the unpaid carers. The mothers, fathers, siblings and friends who step up every day out of love.
Tori acknowledges that CareMatch is there to support these primary carers, not replace them.“Home carers are essential. We aim to complement what they do. When professional and family support work in tandem, it creates better outcomes for everyone.”
This synergy allows people with disability to thrive in a safe, familiar environment without placing all the weight on one person’s shoulders.
As AHA prepares to open its newest SDA development in Hervey Bay, the first of its kind in the region, the tenant-led OSS model will once again be central.
New residents will have the same freedom of choice. They’ll decide who supports them, how they live, and who becomes part of their everyday world.
The combination of accessible design, flexible OSS support and empowered tenant choice is a pathway to real independence.
