|
Welcome to our newsletter for June 2026
This newsletter will deliver 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.
|
|
|
|
|
Consultations now open to address family, domestic and sexual violence
Community organisations are invited to participate in consultation activities to help shape the next phase of action towards ending family, domestic and sexual violence.
The Minister for Social Services is meeting with experts, frontline workers, victim survivors and community members to progress the important work of shaping the next action plan for the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032.
Consultation is taking place over the coming months with opportunities to contribute through surveys and guided submissions. By doing so, you’ll help ensure the next lot of action plans are grounded in evidence, lived experience, cultural knowledge and the realities of frontline practice. As well as the National Plan, these include:
- Our Ways - Strong Ways - Our Voices: Australia’s first dedicated plan to end violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and children,
- Safe and Supported: the ten-year framework for protecting Australia’s children, and
- the National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Child Sexual Abuse.
Have your say via the Second Action Plan consultation website or read the Minister's media release. |
|
|
|
|
The Assistant Minister for Social Services and the Prevention of Family Violence Ged Kearney, and the Special Envoy for Men’s Health Dan Repacholi, will visit communities across Australia to explore what it means to be a healthy man.
The project will bring together the public and community health and service organisations to encourage connections for mental, physical and social wellbeing and health among men.
You're invited to share insights and experiences with community members to discuss issues impacting men’s health and family, domestic and sexual violence prevention.
Conversations from the tour will inform future government policies and programs to improve outcomes for men and boys, while supporting safer, healthier relationships for all Australians.
To stay updated on the conversations, you can visit the Assistant Minister's Facebook. |
|
|
|
|
Finding the right support for people who use or are at risk of using violence just got easier. No to Violence (NTV) has launched a free online National Directory of Services to help individuals and service providers find trusted support.
Hosted by the Men’s Referral Service, the Directory brings together men’s behaviour change programs and specialist family, domestic, and sexual violence services to encourage safe behaviours and healthy relationships. It also includes wider community services that address co-occurring needs.
The Directory aims to improve referral practices across the sector. NTV will keep working with partners to grow and maintain this vital national resource.
We encourage you to share the National Directory of Services within your networks. You can register your service or recommend others by visiting the Men’s Referral Service website or emailing MRSdirectory@ntv.org.au. |
|
|
|
|
Communities will have greater input into government decision-making through the launch of the new Place Partnership Model.
The new model will support community and local leaders in participating locations to use their knowledge to better guide where government funding goes, including through initiatives such as the Children and Family Support program.
It includes an almost $40 million flexible delivery fund to support local projects chosen and developed by communities.
The fund will help fill gaps in services and focus on what matters most in each place. This may include region specific activities like community-led school engagement and mentoring programs, employment pathways, youth recreation programs and family support services.
The model will commence in 18 communities first, building on the place-based work being led by Empowered Communities and Stronger Places, Stronger People leaders across Australia.
For more information on the model and the 18 locations, visit our website. |
|
|
|
|
During last month’s 2026-27 Federal Budget, the Government provided $166 million over 5 years (and $41.1 million per year ongoing) to support the establishment of the Children and Family Support Program (CaFS). This represents a 12% increase on existing funding, taking the total program funding to $371 million annually from 2027-28. The new program is expected to support up to 270,000 children and families annually - 26,000 more than are currently supported under the 5 programs CaFS will replace.
In February 2026, the Government launched Our Ways - Strong Ways - Our Voices: the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Plan to End Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence 2026-2036. An investment in the Budget of $167.6 million over four years from 2026-27 will fund up to 40 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Organisations across the country to deliver community-led specialist support services to up to 12,000 families who are experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence.
The Government also invested $182.6 million in the 2026-27 Budget to help more children get the financial support they need and reduce weaponisation of the child support system. This reform package responds across the system, with measures to improve processes from assessment through to payment and compliance.
The Budget also locks in $291.7 million for the next phase of the Government’s 500 Workers Initiative to help support and strengthen the essential frontline workforce who work hard to keep women and children safe from violence.
The 2026-27 Budget also included $61.5 million over 4 years to double the number of people we can help with financial counselling for gambling and increase public awareness of gambling harms and support available.
Visit our website to read more about the 2026-27 Budget. |
|
|
|
|
Further rounds of Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI) grants are now open.
Many social enterprises are ready to grow and increase their impact. SEDI grants can help your enterprise be more effective and efficient at increasing social impact for your local community.
Successful applicants for the SEDI grants will be able to access up to $120,000 to strengthen capability, expand operations and build sustainable, innovative business models.
So far, 56 grants have been awarded nationally, including support for 20 organisations in remote and regional areas and 19 First Nations social enterprises.
You can apply for these capability building grants through the SEDI Grants Administrator website. Applications opened in May and will be assessed and reviewed as they are received until funding is exhausted. Funding is allocated on a competitive basis. |
|
|
|
|
Round 4 of the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) is now open. Lead Agencies will accept project proposals until Wednesday 1 July.
The DRF will provide up to $142.5 million for projects that help communities prepare for and recover from floods, cyclones, bushfires, storm surges and other natural hazards. The funding aims to reduce the physical, economic and social impacts of these events.
Infrastructure is still a major focus in this round. Of the total funding, $104.6 million is set aside for projects that provide long-term community benefits, such as cyclone shelters, levees and seawalls. Another $34.8 million is available for risk reduction projects, including infrastructure planning, capability building and natural hazards research.
You can find the application guidelines on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) website and Grant Connect.
Applicants should also check for any extra instructions from their state or territory government Lead Agency. A list of Lead Agency contacts and support material is available on the NEMA website.
To help submit your proposal on time, contact your state or territory Lead Agency as early as possible for advice on the submission process. |
|
|
|
|
AusAlert is a new national warning system that uses latest technology to send emergency messages to compatible mobile devices. It’s a fast and reliable way to help people be informed and better prepared during local and national emergencies.
Testing of the AusAlert system will start this week in nine community trials. You, your clients or community members may receive a test alert.
Devices may vibrate and play a siren-like warning sound for about 10 seconds, even if they are on silent or ‘do not disturb’. If a device is turned off, the alert will sound when it is switched back on.
On Monday 27 July, all mobile devices in Australia will be sent a test alert. This includes most smartphones, smartwatches and tablets.
If your clients are affected by domestic, family or sexual violence and use a hidden or safety phone, please help them to plan ahead.
1800RESPECT can help talk through their options and suggest plans like leaving the phone in a safe location with a trusted friend.
The National Emergency Management Agency and Wesnet have prepared a staying safe with AusAlert stakeholder kit to help survivors prepare for the testing and launch.
More information on AusAlert and resources for general audiences are available on the AusAlert website. |
|
|
|
|
Every day, your organisations in the community sector are making a difference. Your work supports people, strengthens communities and creates positive change.
We want to celebrate your work by sharing stories from the people and organisations behind it. We encourage you to share stories of positive impacts with us to inspire others and spark ideas.
We’ll read every story and while we may not share them all, every story helps us understand the great work happening across our communities.
Recently we shared stories from 2 organisations as part of Families Week. These stories highlighted their community impact and recognised the role families play in building strong, connected communities.
In Katherine, NT, a local Toy Library supported Mimi and her young twins, sharing free toys while their family was faced with floods. In Bendigo, VIC, a playgroup helped a new mum establish an outdoor bush program that has since grown into a creative arts space. The playgroup helped her to create connections across the community.
You can read more about the work they are doing in their communities on our website.
Visit the Connecting Communities: Share your story webpage to find useful resources and templates to help you share your story. |
|
|
|
|
New videos to simplify and explain the grant application process are now available in 5 First Nations languages.
The Community Grants Hub website was recently updated with new videos available in English and 5 First Nations languages: Yamplatok, Kriol, Djambarrpuyngu, Pitjantjatjara, and Warlpiri.
The videos cover: These resources can help you and your organisation through each stage of the grant journey, from preparation to successful grant management. They explain the application process, clarify the assessment criteria, and provide helpful tips for managing grant funding.
This initiative supports the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Priority Reform 3, helping to create a more equitable and culturally safe environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples when engaging with government. |
|
|
|
|
|
