Arcare Aged Care: Ownership, CEO, Locations & Ratings

Australian aged care often feels like a maze — faceless facilities, corporate names that blur together, ownership that’s hard to pin down. Arcare is different. The company, run by the Knowles family since 1960, has grown into the largest family-owned aged care provider in Australia, with more than 60 residences across five states. For families weighing their options, here’s what the records actually show.

CEO: Colin Singh ·
Company Type: Arcare Pty Ltd ·
States Served: Victoria, NSW, Queensland, South Australia, ACT ·
Focus: Premium residential aged care ·
Key Locations: Melbourne, Sydney, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Bendigo

Who Owns Arcare Aged Care?

Arcare is owned by the Knowles Group, a privately-held family business founded by the Knowles brothers in 1960 (Arcare Official About Page). The ANMF’s All in the Family Report identifies Arcare as the largest family-owned aged care company in Australia, controlled by the Knowles family through layers of trusts (ANMF All in the Family Report). The broader Knowles Group includes builder J & G Knowles and Associates Pty Ltd and retirement living operator Sencia Holdings (Arcare Modern Slavery Statement). Arcare itself controls K & M Healthcare Pty Ltd and Hope Island Care Pty Ltd, and has no overseas operations. The group is confirmed via the Knowles Group’s own website (Knowles Group Official).

What is Arcare Aged Care?

Arcare positions itself as Australia’s leading premium residential aged care provider, with more than 60 unique residences (Arcare Official About Page). The company’s stated focus centres on comfort, community, and independence. Services include permanent residential care, respite care, dementia-specific care, and palliative care, plus home care packages (ContactOut). Arcare’s homes are listed on MyAgedCare.gov.au, the Australian Government’s aged care service finder. The company maintains an active social media presence across LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

Who is the CEO of Arcare?

Colin Singh is listed as Chief Executive Officer of Arcare Pty Ltd and K&M Healthcare Pty Ltd (ZoomInfo Colin Singh Profile). However, ContactOut’s company profile lists Kahlia Johnson as CEO of Arcare Aged Care — a discrepancy worth noting when cross-referencing business directories (ContactOut Company Profile). Dun & Bradstreet separately identifies John Matthew James Corcoran as a key principal for Arcare Pty Ltd (Dun & Bradstreet). The discrepancy between Colin Singh, Kahlia Johnson, and John Matthew James Corcoran across business databases means families should verify current leadership directly with Arcare rather than relying on third-party listings. The official Arcare website is the most reliable current source.

Is Arcare 5 Star?

Arcare markets itself as a premium provider, but independent star ratings tell a more nuanced story. Each aged care residence receives an individual rating on MyAgedCare.gov.au, and these ratings vary — some Arcare homes score higher, while others land in the 3-4 star range depending on staffing, amenities, and care outcomes. The “premium” positioning applies to Arcare’s brand identity and newer facility developments, not to a universal quality guarantee across all locations. The implication: families should check the specific star rating for each residence they’re considering on the government’s MyAgedCare service finder, rather than assuming the parent’s premium positioning translates to every site.

Arcare Aged Care Locations

Five states and territories host Arcare residences, with Victoria holding the largest concentration — reflecting the company’s head office base in Hampton East. The Australian Government’s Modern Slavery Register notes 48 residences across Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria in 2021-22 (Arcare Modern Slavery Statement). By October 2024, The Weekly Source reported 53 homes following the opening of Arcare Gisborne (96 beds) (The Weekly Source). The company’s 60th residence, Arcare Wright in Canberra (98 beds), opened in 2025 (The Weekly Source).

Recent acquisitions include the former Maryville Hostel in Boronia, Victoria (June 2024), two Melbourne sites at Epworth Rehabilitation Hospital in Brighton and Essendon, and a $6.05M purchase for a 9,825 sqm site in Rothwell, Moreton Bay, Queensland. The Orchards Aged Care in Lisarow, NSW (120 places) expanded Central Coast operations (Aged Care Online). Upcoming completions include Arcare Ringwood (114 beds, June 2025), Arcare Lysterfield (84 beds, June 2025), and Arcare Aranda (120 beds, June 2025). Gold Creek, ACT, is slated for construction starting 2026. South Australia is listed among operating states on the official site, though specific site locations there aren’t detailed in public records.

Arcare has cemented its position as one of Australia’s most prolific aged care developers.

— The Weekly Source (Industry Publication)

Arcare, the largest family-owned aged care company, is controlled by the Knowles family.

— ANMF All in the Family Report (Nursing Federation Research)

Australia’s leading premium residential aged care provider, with more than 60 unique residences.

— Arcare Official About Page (Company)

For families navigating aged care options in Australia, Arcare’s profile raises a clear question: does family ownership translate to better continuity of care, or does aggressive expansion create quality risks? The Knowles Group’s decades-long involvement suggests institutional knowledge, but the pace of new acquisitions and openings — roughly 10 new sites per year — requires capital and management depth that not every provider sustains successfully. The trade-off is tangible: Arcare offers geographic reach and a premium positioning that appeals to families seeking newer facilities, but the variation in individual star ratings means due diligence on each specific residence remains essential.