Essential home modifications to keep you safe, independent, and at home.

We’re here to support people who need help improving the safety, accessibility, and comfort of their homes. If you or someone you know could benefit from practical home repairs or modifications, we encourage you to reach out.

We also welcome referrals from family members, community groups, healthcare providers, and support services. By working together, we can make sure help reaches those who need it most.

Four images show volunteers working inside homes. The first woman is changing a light bulb on the ceiling. The second man is fixing a kitchen faucet. The third man is installing a showerhead. The fourth woman is unlocking a door, all engaged in home improvement projects.
Flowchart titled 'How This Works' with four steps: Reach Out, Assessment, Source Materials, Complete Work, followed by a statement 'Safer, more comfortable homes'.

Every project is approached with care, dignity, and a focus on creating a safer and more comfortable home.

Our Standards & Commitment

We are committed to delivering safe, compliant, and high-quality work across every project.

While we often focus on smaller, practical repairs, we also support larger projects where needed. For works exceeding $5,000, we follow Australian Building Code requirements, meaning a licensed builder and formal contract are required. Rather than stepping away, we continue to support you through the process—helping coordinate, guide, and ensure the work is completed properly.

We understand that not all projects can be fully funded upfront. We are open to working alongside individuals, families, or supporters who may be able to contribute toward part of the cost, helping make larger projects achievable.

All members of our team are thoroughly vetted and required to hold current Working with Children Checks and National Police Checks. We extend these same expectations to any contractors or trades engaged in our projects, ensuring a safe and trusted environment for everyone involved.

Types of Help We Provide

We focus on practical home repairs and modifications that improve safety, accessibility, and everyday living. Our work is shaped by the needs of each person and the reclaimed materials available through our yard.

We may be able to help with:

  • installing hand rails and grab rails

  • basic access improvements

  • door locks and simple security upgrades

  • minor carpentry repairs

  • small home modifications to improve safety

  • tap repairs and basic plumbing maintenance

  • lighting changes and simple electrical safety improvements

  • repairs that support mobility, comfort, and independence

  • small outdoor safety improvements around entries and walkways

  • other practical works that help people remain safe at home

Who is Eligible?

The Better Living Foundation is here to support people who may find it difficult to afford or manage essential home modifications and repairs themselves.

We primarily focus on helping:

  • Seniors wanting to stay safe, independent, and comfortable in their own homes for longer.

  • People living with a disability or reduced mobility who require practical accessibility modifications.

  • Families or individuals in financial hardship who cannot afford essential repairs that impact their safety or quality of life.

  • Community members facing a sudden change in circumstances that makes their current home environment unsafe or difficult to navigate.

Referrals are welcome
We accept requests directly from individuals, as well as referrals from family members, healthcare providers, support workers, and community organisations.

What Falls Outside Our Scope

We focus on practical, essential repairs and modifications. This means there are some projects we may not be able to take on.

These can include larger renovations, cosmetic upgrades, urgent emergency work, or highly specialised construction outside our capability.

If your project isn’t something we can directly assist with, we’ll always do our best to offer guidance or point you toward the right support.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • You can reach out for yourself, or you can refer a family member, neighbor, or client. We accept requests from individuals as well as healthcare providers, community groups, and support workers.

  • Our goal is to help those who cannot afford essential modifications. Some projects may be fully supported through donations, while others may involve a partial contribution or shared funding. We assess every situation individually and with complete privacy.

  • No. We primarily use high-quality reclaimed materials sourced from our yard. If a project requires specific items we don’t have in stock, we work with you to find a solution.

  • For larger projects (over $5,000 in value), Australian Building Codes require a licensed builder and a formal contract. We don’t step away at this point—instead, we provide extra support to help you navigate the process, coordinate the trades, and ensure the work is completed safely and legally.

  • Because we rely on donated materials and volunteer teams, timelines vary. Once we assess your needs, we’ll give you an honest estimate of when we can start. We always prioritise projects that address urgent safety or accessibility risks.

  • Yes. All our team members and contractors are thoroughly vetted and hold current National Police Checks and Working with Children Checks. Any work requiring a license (like plumbing or electrical) is always performed by a qualified professional.

  • We are not an emergency response service. If you have an urgent safety issue or a plumbing/electrical emergency, please contact a 24-hour emergency service first.

  • We currently provide support in surrounding suburbs of Melbourne, Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong. If you are outside this area, please contact us anyway—if we can’t help directly, we may be able to point you toward a similar organization in your region.

Let's See How We Can Help

You don't need to have it all figured out. Just reach out and we'll have a conversation.

Everything you share with us is treated with complete privacy and respect. There is no obligation, no judgment, and no complicated process. We simply want to understand your situation and see if we can help make your home a safer, more comfortable place to live.