In 1967, Gwin Ruston established the Perth Emergency Housekeeping Service under the auspices of WACOSS.

The agency was incorporated in 1970. The initial purpose was to provide support in the home to ensure families could remain intact. Staff were employed as housekeepers and provided both live-in and visiting support.

Through the 1970s, funding was derived from a variety of government departments and fund raising. The target group gradually moved to cover a higher proportion of older people.

In 1985, the Home and Community Care Act brought together all the programs and funding sources into the HACC program.

their name changed in 1987 to Perth Home Care Services.

Through the 1990s, the range of funding sources increased and included the aged care, disability and mental health sectors.

Since 2000, there has been considerable growth, especially in the disability sector. Services have also expanded to regional areas such as the Wheatbelt the Coral Coast up to Carnarvon and Exmouth.

As an organisation they have always been at the forefront of introducing innovative services and looking for approaches that deliver great outcomes. They were one of the first to explore and introduce individualised funding options, shared living and shared management and have helped many organisations to establish such as Microboards Australia and social networking group, Befriend.

Now, in 2016 they are proud to be writing a new chapter in their history with the changing of their name. The name Avivo takes its base from the Italian ‘vivo’ meaning to be lively and have energy with the Spanish ‘avivar’ means to brighten and enhance.

Avivo is their word and takes inspiration from those root terms  but adds a little something unique, much like every person they work with.

Acknowledging the range of services and presence throughout Western Australia they felt the new name reflects more of what is at their core: working with people to live life.