Bedford Group enters voluntary administration as administrators back sale to The Disability Trust

Bedford Group has entered voluntary administration, placing one of South Australia’s largest disability employers under the control of Melissa Smith, Robert Smith, Matthew Caddy and Mark Knight of McGrathNicol following their appointment on 17 November 2025. The move capped months of mounting pressure after the organisation disclosed in mid-year that it faced severe financial stress and required restructuring support to continue operating. The administrators have moved quickly to stabilise the business, maintain continuity across its 22 sites, and launch an accelerated sale process aimed at preserving services and employment for Bedford’s large client base.

McGrathNicol has identified The Disability Trust as the preferred purchaser for Bedford’s supported employment, learning and experience programs. The proposed transaction will require creditor approval, but its shape is already clear. The Disability Trust would assume operational responsibility for Bedford’s services while Bedford’s land holdings would remain outside the deal. Government backing has been significant, including new federal funding commitments designed to secure a smooth transition and ensure uninterrupted support for clients and employees. State officials including Premier Peter Malinauskas have also signalled confidence in the transaction.

The Disability Trust, which operates across multiple Australian jurisdictions and has a reputation for stable governance, has committed to maintain Bedford’s workforce, uphold familiar routines for clients, and reinforce the organisation’s culture of inclusion. For the administrators, the sale represents a practical solution to Bedford’s liquidity challenges and offers stakeholders a route to stability after a prolonged period of uncertainty. A creditor vote in the coming weeks will determine whether the restructuring proceeds under the proposed terms, setting the direction for Bedford’s future under new stewardship.