About Us | smooth-timber

Why We Started

In 2011, our founder Sarah watched her elderly neighbor struggle for eight months to access Age Pension. The paperwork wasn't complex, but the process was opaque. Forms referenced other forms. Questions asked for information most people don't track.

Sarah, then working in government policy, realized that systems designed to help were accidentally excluding the people who needed help most. She started volunteering at a community center, helping seniors complete applications.

What began as weekend volunteer work turned into a calling. By 2014, Sarah had left her policy role to establish smooth-timber as a professional service.

What Drives Us

Everyone's entitled to support when they need it. But entitlement doesn't matter if you can't navigate the process.

We believe complexity shouldn't be a barrier. Our work removes that barrier by translating bureaucratic requirements into clear, actionable steps.

We're not here to game the system or inflate claims. We help eligible Australians present accurate, complete applications that reflect their genuine circumstances.

Our Team

Sarah Mitchell

Founder & Principal Consultant

Former policy advisor with 15 years navigating government support systems. Specializes in complex NDIS and DSP cases.

James Chen

Senior Benefits Specialist

Previously worked in Centrelink processing for seven years. Knows what assessors look for in applications.

Priya Sharma

NDIS Planning Coordinator

Occupational therapist background. Helps families articulate support needs in plan reviews and appeals.

Michael O'Brien

Age & Disability Consultant

Registered tax agent with expertise in asset testing and income calculations for pension eligibility.

How We Operate

Accuracy Over Speed

We take the time to get applications right the first time. Rushing leads to rejections and delays.

Plain Language Always

Government forms use technical terms. We translate everything into words that actually make sense.

No False Promises

We assess eligibility honestly. If you don't qualify for a benefit, we'll tell you upfront and save you the application effort.

Privacy by Default

Your information is protected under strict confidentiality protocols. We only access what's necessary for your application.

Measuring What Matters

We track outcomes, not just applications submitted. Success means you receive the support you're entitled to.

$14.2M

Total annual benefits secured for clients in 2025

92%

Client satisfaction rating based on post-outcome surveys

3.2 weeks

Average time from first consultation to application submission

Our Method

Every case starts with listening. We need to understand your situation before we can map it to eligibility criteria.

Then we identify which benefits apply. Many people qualify for multiple programs but don't know it. We evaluate all options.

Documentation is where most applications fail. We create a customized checklist for your specific case, prioritizing the evidence that carries most weight.

Throughout the process, you stay in control. We advise and prepare, but you decide what information to share and when to submit.

Who We Are