|
|
Welcome to our newsletter for August 2026
This newsletter delivers news and information to the community services workforce, helping you stay up to date on the department’s work and how it may affect your organisation, clients and communities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The consultation period for the Second Action Plan of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children ended on 31 July.
The response has been incredible, with over 500 formal submissions and more than 1,250 online survey responses.
The experiences and insights we’ve received from victim-survivors, specialist services, advocates, researchers, community organisations and community members have been invaluable, and will help shape how we move forward.
Findings from these consultations will also help shape the:
- Second Action Plans for Safe and Supported: National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children
- First Action Plan for Our Ways - Strong Ways - Our Voices: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence
- Second Action Plan for the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse.
We will keep you updated on how we are progressing across all action plans.
Visit the ending violence and abuse page on our website for more information about our action plans and how we're working to keep the community safe. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Australian Government has recently announced significant additional funding to increase support for people affected by family, domestic and sexual violence and help services hold people who use violence to account.
In South Australia, $22.17 million will keep the 500 Workers Initiative running until 2030. This will help frontline workers provide critical support to victim-survivors.
An extra $610,000 will extend Relationships Australia’s Repair4Respect program for South Australian fathers who have used violence in the past. The program helps them build safer and more respectful relationships with their families and break the cycle of harm.
In regional Western Australia, $2.8 million will extend the Leaving Violence Program Regional Trial in Broome. This will provide 300 more financial support packages for people leaving intimate partner violence and help them build a safer future.
The Australian Government has also announced an additional $17 million in funding for the Northern Territory, including:
- an additional $3.54 million to extend the Leaving Violence Program Reginal Trial for a further 12 months
- $12.051 million to continue the 500 Workers Initiative, strengthening Northern Territory frontline services
- a further $1.333 million to support the Early Interventions for Young People Program which aims to stop violence early.
You can find more information about other funding to help keep women and children safe on our website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
If you are a First Nations social enterprise, you can now apply for grants of up to $120,000. The grants can help you grow your business, create jobs and support your local community.
The $2.52 million Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI) grant round supports First Nations social enterprises with funding for business planning, governance, managing money and planning for growth.
First Nations social enterprises create jobs, strengthen culture and support community-led ideas. They put people and culture at the centre of their work and help create social and economic benefits.
Past SEDI grant recipients include:
- Magabala Books, which supports Indigenous storytelling and reading
- BlackRock Industries, which gives jobs and training to men leaving prison
- Bush Balm by Purple House, which creates jobs for young First Nations women and helps remote communities access traditional bush medicines.
You can apply for these capability building grants through the SEDI Grants Administrator website. Applications will be assessed as they are received until all funding has been used.
You can find out more about SEDI grants on our website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
We are releasing a new report to help service providers better understand their Data Exchange (DEX) data.
We have heard from you that service providers need greater access to insights from DEX data and more opportunities to understand the services they deliver in a broader program context.
You will soon be able to find the DSS Program Context for Service Providers report in the DEX Qlik reporting suite. The report gives you up-to-date information to help you improve services, make informed decisions and work together across the sector. It helps you see how your services compare with the wider program and can support you to better understand your community.
DSS-funded providers can use the report to compare service data with state and national averages. The report shows information about clients, such as age, gender, and First Nations status. It also shows how your service statistics such as sessions and attendance compare with program averages.
You can learn how to use and access DEX reports at quick guide to using reports. You can also access training resources on the Data Exchange website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cyber security incidents can disrupt services, affect community trust and impact the people who rely on your organisation. Not-for-profit organisations can now access free support to help strengthen your cyber security and protect the communities you serve.
The Australian Government is launching a new Not-for-Profit Cyber Uplift Community of Practice to help build stronger cyber security practices. This initiative connects you with practical guidance, expert support and a network of peers facing similar challenges.
A free online launch event will be held on Wednesday 26 August 2026, sharing:
- current cyber security threats impacting not-for-profit organisations
- practical tools and resources tailored to the sector
- opportunities to connect with government, cyber security experts and other organisations
- the benefits of joining the community of practice.
The event is open to organisations of all sizes including volunteers, frontline staff, managers, executives and board members.
Register for the launch event via Humanitix and learn how you can strengthen your organisation's cyber resilience. |
|
|
|
|
|
We are supporting Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and service providers working to improve family and community safety in Central Australia through the $10 million Safe on Country Fund.
The funding will support projects focused on stopping family and domestic violence before it starts and providing critical support to victim-survivors in the Northern Territory. Projects may also receive funding for programs that encourage healthy relationships, support wellbeing, and help communities, parents and families stay connected and safe.
Desert Knowledge Australia is a majority First Nations governed organisation located in Alice Springs. Desert Knowledge Australia will work closely with NT Central Australian communities to choose and support projects that can receive funding.
The Safe on Country Fund will run from 2026 to 2028. It is part of the $30 million Strengthening Families and Communities Partnership (SFCP), which already funds family and community safety projects throughout Central Australia.
The SFCP is part of the Australian Government’s A Better, Safer Future for Central Australia Plan, which aims to address challenges in Central Australia. You can find more information on the National Indigenous Australians Agency website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
