Community Services Advisory Group

The Community Services Advisory Group (CSAG) was established in July 2015 as the key community sector stakeholder engagement group for the Department of Social Services (the department). It harnesses the expertise of the community sector to provide feedback, insights and recommendations, on issues relating to the department’s grant policies and programs.

CSAG is made up of 27 member organisations, including peak bodies and service delivery organisations, some of which are funded across a range of department programs.

A focus of CSAG throughout 2024 will be continuing to support the department to deliver on the October 2022-2023 Budget measures:

  • A stronger more diverse and independent community sector, to better support Australian communities through the design and administration of grants to the sector, including more meaningful working partnerships and options for greater innovation;
  • Development of the Not-for-profit Sector Development Blueprint (NFP Blueprint), to provide a roadmap for government reforms and sector‑led initiatives that will ensure the sector is ‘future ready’ and can set its own direction to support Australians in need, now and in the future.

The department has used the Engage.dss.gov.au website to facilitate public consultation on both of these commitments.

Current CSAG Membership

The 27 member organisations of CSAG are listed below:

  • 54 reasons
  • Anglicare Australia
  • Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS)
  • Australian Services Union (ASU)
  • Australian Red Cross
  • Baptist Care Australia
  • Carers Australia
  • Catholic Social Services Australia
  • COTA Australia (Council on the Ageing)
  • Family & Relationship Services Australia (FRSA)
  • Far West Community Partnerships
  • Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA)
  • Financial Counselling Australia
  • Foodbank
  • Mission Australia
  • National Disability Services
  • Relationships Australia
  • SNAICC – National Voice for our Children
  • Settlement Council of Australia (SCoA)
  • Southern Youth & Family Services Association
  • St Vincent de Paul Society
  • The Benevolent Society
  • The Salvation Army
  • The Smith Family
  • The Social Policy Group (Migration Council Australia)
  • UnitingCare Australia
  • Volunteering Australia.

For further information please contact CSAGSecretariat@dss.gov.au.

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