Programs & Services

Communities

Community Support

  • Australian Government Certificate of Appreciation for Volunteers
    Volunteers play a critical role in helping shape Australia and building stronger and more resilient communities.
  • Bali Lifetime Rehabilitation Assistance Package
    Under the Bali Lifetime Rehabilitation Assistance Package, the Australian Government provides lifetime assistance for out-of-pocket expenses for rehabilitation care to eligible Australians injured in the 12 October 2002 and 1 October 2005 Bali Bombings.
  • Fair pay for social and community services workers
    On 1 February 2012, Fair Work Australia made an historic decision to provide fair pay for social and community services (SACS) workers and for workers in crisis assistance and supported housing (CASH).
  • Strong and Resilient Communities
    The Strong and Resilient Communities Activity aims to support vulnerable and disadvantaged people to participate socially and economically through local community-driven solutions that build self-reliance and empowerment.
  • Volunteer Management
    The Volunteer Management Activity supports the delivery of volunteer support services and one-off innovation and collaboration projects to encourage, support and increase participation in volunteering.
  • Volunteer Grants
    Volunteer Grants recognises the valuable work of Australia’s volunteers. This initiative forms part of the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to organisations whose volunteers assist disadvantaged communities and encourage inclusion of vulnerable people in community life. Funding is for eligible not-for-profit community organisations to assist their volunteers and encourage volunteering.
  • Be Connected - Improving Digital Literacy for Older Australians
    A family and community centred approach to improving the skills, confidence and online safety of older Australians in using digital technology.
  • Financial Wellbeing and Capability
    The Program helps people across a range of income and financial literacy levels to manage their money, overcome financial adversity, participate in their communities and plan for the medium to long term.
  • Emergency Relief
    Assistance for people in immediate financial crisis who do not have other reasonable means of support.
  • Emergency Relief National Coordination Plan
    The Government is working closely with the emergency relief and food relief sectors nationally to ensure organisations can continue to operate and deliver this vital support to the community, particularly at this critical time.
  • Services and information
    Links in response to frequent enquiries about community programs and services.
  • Commonwealth Financial Counselling (CFC)
    A service strategy under the Australian Government's Financial Wellbeing and Capability.

Community Development

  • Community Services Advisory Group (CSAG)
    CSAG was established in July 2015 as the key community sector engagement group for the department.
  • Blueprint Expert Advisory Group (BERG)
    An advisory group established to create a sector led not for profit Blueprint to provide the not for profit and charities sector with support and strategic direction.
  • Norfolk Island Reform
    On 19 March 2015, the Australian Government announced it will introduce taxation, social security and healthcare arrangements on Norfolk Island from 1 July 2016.
  • Civil Society
    Civil Society encompasses the diverse range of community services undertaken by 600,000 charities and not-for-profit organisations across Australia.
  • Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)
    The Government provides certainty to the charitable sector and community organisations by announcing the decision to retain the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).
  • Register of Harm Prevention Charities
    A tax incentive mechanism to assist eligible institutions.
  • Social Impact Investing
    The department is supporting the Australian social impact investing (SII) market through a number of trials. Two trials are designed to build the capacity of the SII sector, including the Sector Readiness Fund and the Outcome Measurement Initiative. The two remaining trials are designed to understand the benefits and disadvantages of SII, including three Payment by Outcome Trials, and partnerships with state and territory governments on SII initiatives to support vulnerable groups.

Gambling

  • Helping Problem Gamblers
    The Government has committed to a national policy approach to help problem gamblers, which will consider best practice approaches to gambling policy, across all forms of gambling.

Mental Health

Last updated: