About Szabo Health Care
From a single act of heroism in 2002 to Australia’s leading supported living and specialist dementia care group — this is our story.
Listen. Love. Support
120+
HPS Homes Managed
200+
Residents in 24/7 Care
8+
Years in Supported Living
Our Mission
Dignity for residents, peace for families, and opportunities for our partners. We exist to deliver the highest standard of supported living and memory care in Australia.
Our Vision
A future where every vulnerable Australian, regardless of disability or dementia, lives in a home that feels truly like home, with world-class specialist care around the clock.
Our Values
Listen. We hear residents, families and partners. Love. We care deeply about every life we touch. Support. We show up, 24/7, no exceptions.
Company History
From Tragedy to Transformation
2002
The Act That Started Everything
Alex John Szabo — a beloved colleague and close friend — drowns while saving two young children from a dangerous rip current on the Gold Coast. He was 42 years old. His selfless act of heroism profoundly moves Managing Director David Beard and becomes the founding inspiration for everything that follows.
2003
Szabo Pty Ltd Registered
David Beard registers Szabo Pty Ltd — a company vehicle dedicated to a future worthy of Alex’s name. It is a promise: that this loss will not be in vain. For 15 years, the company is held in trust while David plans an endeavour of lasting impact for Australia’s most vulnerable people.
1997 - now
Property Direct Pty Ltd — A Respected Track Record
Our subsidiary Property Direct Pty Ltd, a licensed real estate corporation, begins marketing new residential projects. Over nearly three decades it builds a CV of excellence — earning 3× BRW Business Awards — and today manages letting agreements, maintenance and high-net-worth investor relationships for SDA Smart Home builds.
3× BRW Business Awards · Licensed Real Estate
2018
NDIS SDA Registration — The Mission Launches
Fifteen years of planning come to fruition. Szabo Pty Ltd becomes a registered NDIS SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) provider, beginning the delivery of High Physical Support (HPS) homes across Queensland. Purpose-built to near-hospital specification — wide corridors, hoist bracing, emergency power — yet designed to feel like home from the street.
NDIS SDA Registered · Queensland
2025 - 2026
DCAA — Australia's First National Dementia Home Network
Szabo grows to become Queensland’s leading specialist in supported living and asset management — managing 120+ NDIS HPS homes and partnering with 65 Supported Independent Living (SIL) providers to house approximately 200 residents requiring 24/7 specialist care. Ariel.care, a 50/50 JV with V-TOL Aerospace, is established to develop next-generation assistive technology for residents.
2026
Szabo Health Care Group — The Parent Entity
Szabo Health Care Group is formally established as the parent entity overseeing all brands: SDA Smart Homes, DCAA, The Disability Housing Centre, Property Direct, and Ariel.care. Aged Care Provider registration is underway — expanding our reach from NDIS participants to over-65 Australians with high-level dementia under the Aged Care system.
Aged Care Registration Pending · National Expansion
OUR ADVISORY COUNCIL
The people guiding our mission
David Beard
Chairman & Managing Director
Dave Beard is the Founder and Managing Director of Szabo Health Care Group and its specialist brands, including SDA Smart Homes, assistive technology company Ariel Care and Dementia Care and Accommodation (DCAA). With over 20 years of experience in residential property development and more than 8 years delivering and managing 120 High Physical Support (HPS) NDIS homes across Queensland, Dave has built a reputation and leadership team for creating innovative, high-quality supported living environments for some of Australia’s most vulnerable people requiring around the clock care.
A passionate advocate for dignified care, Dave is now leading the expansion into specialist dementia accommodation through DCAA — small-group, family-co-designed memory care homes that prioritise dignity, safety and genuine quality of life. His vision is to deliver an end-to-end ecosystem that sets a new benchmark in both disability and aged care.
Mark Xavier
Technology & Innovation Advisor
Mark Xavier is the CEO and Managing Director of V-TOL Aerospace, a leading Australian innovator in advanced drone technology, robotics, AI and sovereign manufacturing. With more than 20 years’ executive leadership in aerospace and defence, Mark brings deep expertise in commercialising complex technologies that solve real-world challenges.
As Technology & Innovation Advisor to Szabo Health Care Group, Mark is guiding the development of the Ariel Telehealth Centre and assistive technology solutions that will enhance resident care, family connection and clinical governance across our memory care homes.
Emma Hocking
Chief Executive Officer
Emma holds dual Business Degrees majoring in Marketing and Real Estate/Property Development. With over 15 years’ experience in property development, Emma has been the driving force behind delivering over 120 NDIS compliant SDA Smart Homes.
Emma leads the SDA Smart Homes team, driving the company’s overall strategy, overseeing project delivery and compliance as well as the property management and tenanting divisions of the business. Emma is focussed on ensuring our projects are delivered to an exceptional standard for our investors and that superior quality care is provided to tenants in our supported independent living homes.
The Honourable Santo Santoro
Aged Care Policy Advisor
The Honourable Santo Santoro served as Federal Minister for Ageing in the Howard Government, where he played a pivotal role in shaping national aged care policy and driving reforms to improve quality, access and dignity for older Australians. With more than two decades of high-level experience in federal politics, including senior ministerial portfolios in Immigration, Multicultural Affairs and Small Business, Santo brings deep strategic insight, policy expertise and a genuine commitment to better outcomes for vulnerable Australians.
His appointment to the Szabo Health Care Group Council of Minds strengthens our governance as we scale specialist dementia accommodation and care nationwide.
Tony Rolfe
Consumer and Ethics Advisor
Tony Rolfe brings extensive experience from senior director level roles in the Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing and at the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), including research ethics and aged care policy.
A stroke survivor and active consumer advocate with the Stroke Foundation, Tony provides strong consumer perspective and ethical oversight to ensure our aged care operations remain grounded in the real needs and dignity of people living with dementia and their families.
Clinical Governance Advisor
Dementia & Geriatric Medicine (to be appointed)
Dementia Focus
Pioneering Small-Group Memory Care Homes for Level 6–7 Residents
DCAA was born from a conviction that Australia’s most vulnerable — those living with Level 6–7 dementia — deserve better than institutional care. After multiple focus groups with families, specialist practitioners and sector leaders, we co-designed a model that puts the resident’s quality of life at the centre of every decision.
Level 6
Severe Cognitive Decline
Requires 24/7 specialist care, full assistance with daily activities, structured routine and a highly safe environment. DCAA homes are built for this stage.
Level 7
Very Severe Decline
Loss of speech, mobility and self-care ability. Our Dementia Practitioners provide expert end-stage palliative dementia care with dignity and deep compassion.
Accreditations & Memberships
Our Credentials
NDIS Registered Provider
Registered SDA provider under the NDIS Quality & Safeguards Commission. Delivering High Physical Support housing since 2018.
Aged Care Registration
Currently registering as an Aged Care Provider under the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission — expanding services to over-65 Australians.
SDA Specialist Provider
Specialist Disability Accommodation status, both SDA (Specialist Disability Accommodation) and our new category SDA (Specialist Dementia Accommodation) from 2026.
3× BRW Business Awards
Property Direct Pty Ltd has earned three BRW Business Awards — recognition of our near-30-year track record in licensed real estate and project marketing excellence.