Support services

There are a range of local support services available to assist people on Income Management, enhanced Income Management, or people who want to volunteer for enhanced Income Management.

Support Service Directories are available, and list a range of services. Location specific support services directory information below:

Local Services Plans

As part of the abolition of the Cashless Debit Card (CDC), the Department of Social Services Minister was required to develop Local Services Plans (LSPs) for each of the former CDC locations – Ceduna, East Kimberley, Goldfields and Bundaberg and Hervey Bay.

The LSPs are required to address: 

  1. improving community services in the area; and
  2. addressing social issues in the area.

The department developed the LSPs through consultation with stakeholders in each of the former CDC locations. These LSPs outline the current support services available and include service gaps, social issues and priority needs that have been identified by the community in each of the former CDC locations. Each LSP includes an initial Action Plan for addressing these issues and improving community services.

You can view the Local Services Plans for each of the former CDC locations below:

Local Services Plans – Community-Led Support Fund (LSP-CSF)

Following the publication of the Local Services Plans (LSPs), the Minister for Social Services, the Hon Amanda Rishworth announced additional funding for support services in former CDC sites. The LSP-CSF will provide short-term funding to meet the immediate needs identified in the LSPs and support the implementation or expansion of support services in the region.

Fund overview:

Funding is available from July 2023 to 30 June 2024. Funding is not available for activities that commenced before this date.

Role of brokerage organisations

Brokerage organisations will collect and coordinate proposals from their communities, and then pass them onto the department for review and assessment.

Brokerage organisations will not be able to expend funding for their own services.

The following organisations are the contact point for the LSP-CSF:

Brokerage Organisation

Service Delivery Area

Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre (HBNC)

Bundaberg and Hervey Bay

Far West Community Partnership (FWCP)

Ceduna

Binarri-binyja yarrawoo Aboriginal Corporation (BBY)

East Kimberley

City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder (CKB)

Goldfields

Application process

  • From July 2023, organisations will be able to apply for funding using a proposal template and supporting documents developed by the department.
  • Proposals must align with the priorities outlined in the LSPs.
  • Proposals will be submitted to the brokerage organisation.
  • The brokerage organisation will then forward the proposal to the department for assessment. Brokerage organisations may provide comment but the department remains the final decision maker and will assess all proposals.
  • The department will utilise an assessment tool to ensure proposals align with one or more priorities outlined in the LSPs and have all the necessary information.
  • Where appropriate, the department will share proposals with other departments and agencies for their review to ensure there is no funding duplication.
  • The department will inform the brokerage organisation of proposal outcomes.
  • Brokerage organisations will release funding to successful applicants to complete their project.

Who can apply?

  • Any Service Provider can submit an application. Applicants are not required to have received previous funding from the Department of Social Services and are not required to have a working relationship with the brokerage organisation.
  • Service providers would include, but are not limited to Local Councils, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, service providers currently funded by the department and any new service provider in the region.
  • Costs the grant can be used for include:
    • Expansion of local services for example transportation assistance, wrap around supports, emergency or financial relief.
    • Necessary support services that have been identified through actions in the Local Services Plans such as emergency relief, financial and literacy supports and gambling support.
    • Administration costs including reporting.

Full details can be found in the Applicant Guide.

Approved Projects for the LSP-CSF.

  • A list of all approved projects under the LSP-CSF will be published. This list will be updated quarterly on or around 30 September 2023, 15 January 2024, 31 March 2024 and 01 July 2024.

Disability Gateway

The Disability Gateway is a free Australia-wide service to help people with disability, their families and carers find trusted information and services. To find out more information on how this service can support you:

Last updated: