Annual Report 2026
The year at A Start in Life, 2025/26
This was a year of building the relationships and systems that will carry our mission further. We launched a Learning Management System so students in rural and remote areas can get the same support as everyone else, finished putting in a new CRM, and built new pathways with industry and education partners.
119 students took part in our three programs across 71 schools, universities and TAFEs, and student assistance came to $935,133.
Kathleen Donohoe, Chief Executive Officer, with the President and Board
Everything below comes from the 20-page report, written out here so it works with screen readers and search.
Designed by APM Graphics Management
Student story
Jamie walks into school as herself
Before she had even started Year 7, Jamie and her family had been through financial hardship and a period without a stable home. Once her family found secure housing, A Start in Life covered her uniforms, equipment and school essentials, so she could arrive each day ready to learn and join in alongside her classmates.
Seeing her able to take part in opportunities alongside her peers, without her circumstances being a barrier, was incredibly special.
Jessica, Jamie's primary school teacher
The year at a glance
- students supported across three programs
- 119
- given directly to students as assistance
- $935,133
- schools, universities and TAFEs attended
- 71
- average school attendance, Primary and Secondary Program
- 91%
Source: A Start in Life Annual Report 2026, pages 2 to 4 and 14. Student numbers cover January to December 2025.
Our three programs
- Primary and Secondary Program: 61 students, 91% average attendance, every student received tutoring, and 88% preferred a human tutor to an AI tutor
- Tertiary Program: 39 students, 14 graduated, 26 Academic Bonus Payments awarded, 76.3 average weighted mark
- Career and Skills Development Scholarship: 19 students, 100% found it quite or extremely useful, 86% said it opened new pathways
Our community
- 454 donors this year, including 196 who joined for the first time
- 3,033 hours of in-kind support, worth an estimated $134,487
- Eastern Tunnelling Package teams raised more than $13,400 as our charity partner
- Investment income made up 37.6% of operating income
Financials
Investment income remains our largest source of income. Its share eased this year as support from trusts, foundations and corporates, donations and management services all grew, and net assets rose to $13.6 million.
| Item | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 1,683,851 | 1,458,819 |
| Student assistance | (935,133) | (988,726) |
| Fundraising | (254,764) | (157,904) |
| Marketing | (195,447) | (105,047) |
| Banking, investment and accounting | (255,903) | (144,265) |
| Depreciation | – | – |
| Office and administration | (313,073) | (194,008) |
| Total expenses | (1,964,320) | (1,589,950) |
| Surplus/(deficit) for the year | (280,469) | (131,131) |
| Gain/(loss) on revaluation of financial assets | 374,684 | 782,589 |
| Loss of fair value of properties in use | – | – |
| Total comprehensive income before allocations | 94,215 | 651,458 |
| Allocations from capital funds | – | – |
| Allocations to capital funds | 14,567 | (604,547) |
| Total comprehensive income after allocations | 108,782 | 46,911 |
| Item | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Total assets | 13,814,513 | 13,850,677 |
| Total liabilities | 196,626 | 327,004 |
| Net assets | 13,617,887 | 13,523,673 |
- Student assistance48%
- Office and administration16%
- Banking, investment and accounting13%
- Fundraising13%
- Marketing10%
Share of total expenses of $1,964,320, from the statement of profit or loss.
Help the next student start strong
Every figure on this page began with a donor. A gift today helps a student from a family doing it tough stay at school and reach their goals.
12 November 2026
