9 November 2023

9 November 2023

Our 2023 AGM is just over two weeks away!

NCOSS is excited to announce that Shane Phillips, CEO of Tribal Warrior will be performing the Welcome to Country at our AGM and Shane – and some of his team – will be joining us, following the formal business of the meeting, to speak about their new Indigenous work readiness program, Work Fit aimed at helping to close the gap in Indigenous unemployment.

We know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations are doing the heavy lifting to move the dial on Indigenous disadvantage, working with communities on the ground. In recognition of Tribal Warrior’s hard work, we’ve donated $5,000 to the Work Fit program. And we’ll match donations to the program made before 5:00pm on 24 November, dollar-for-dollar up to a further $5,000.

Please show your support and contribute what you can. Scroll down for information on how to donate or head to our AGM registration page. And don’t forget to register for the AGM!

New research on social infrastructure investment

NCOSS is kicking off new research, partnering with Dr Angela Jackson and the team at Impact Economics and Policy.

While much of the public discussion is focused on housing and physical infrastructure (which are critical), there is a significant gap in the discourse – the need to invest in social infrastructure. As our population grows, we need to invest in homelessness supports, neighbourhood and community centres, domestic and family violence services, social housing, tenancy supports, mental health supports, and so on.

The research will tell this story and forecast the level of investment required. In doing so, we hope to focus the Government’s attention on the need to support our sector in the face of unprecedented demand.

Portable Long Service Leave Scheme

The second meeting of the Informal Consultative Group into portable long service leave was held on Monday, 30 October. This work is feeding into advice to the NSW Government and then a formal consultation process, set for early next year. We’ll keep you posted.

Sector sustainability

At a session I attended last week, research by McKinsey & Company from April 2023 was shared, highlighting the pressures the sector is operating under. These include the very high risks of burnout among staff stretched to breaking point in the face of a rolling series of crises – floods, fires, pandemic, and now cost-of-living. Here’s a quote from the report:

While burnout affects workers in all sectors around the world, non-profit organisations appear to be among those particularly vulnerable to it. In Australia, social-sector leaders are facing immense pressure, with a substantial increase in demand for services such as mental health support, food banks, and crisis response. In fact, demand for some services has increased by 80 percent over the past five years, reflecting the severe pressure many ordinary Australians are facing.

Clearly, the fallout from this is serious. As well as unacceptable risks to the wellbeing of our poorly paid and highly feminised workforce, there’s also serious risks to the continuity of essential, frontline services.

One election commitment of the NSW Government was a taskforce that would review sector contracting and funding arrangements. NCOSS is in discussions regarding this commitment, and we will ensure that it considers the immense pressure felt by the sector and our workforce, to ensure we are put on a sustainable footing.

Virtual Care research launching soon: Watch this space!

We’re finalising our Virtual Care research and expect to launch the report in coming weeks. It tells the story of the positive impact that accessing high-quality virtual care can have, while highlighting the individual and systemic barriers that exist, particularly for the most vulnerable and excluded community members.

The digital divide disproportionately effects those living on low incomes, and we know the impact that this can have. Thanks to those that have provided input.

Youth Action Conference & the 2023 NSW Youth Work Awards

NCOSS was excited to attend the Youth Action Conference, with our Policy Lead, Andrea Angeles, presenting at Day 2. I was honoured to present the NSW Youth Worker of the Year and Outstanding Work with Young People from Diverse Cultures, Backgrounds, Experiences at the Youth Work Awards ceremony on Thursday, 26 October.

Scroll down to read more about the conference and awards in NCOSS News.

Break the cycle! #RaiseTheAge!

We’re calling on the new NSW Government to raise the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14. The NSW Government has a unique opportunity to show leadership by partnering with the sector and investing in evidence-informed models that will break the cycle of incarceration. Please add your voice to the campaign.

Regional Meeting: Taree visit

Next Tuesday, we're holding one of our Regional Meetings in Taree and we're excited to be able to spend time, face-to-face, with some of our colleagues. NCOSS plans to regularly schedule Regional Meetings in different parts of the state, going forward. We look forward to seeing you, when we get out your way!

Fifty services and community organisations in the Hawkesbury attended a disaster preparedness information and engagement breakfast on Thursday 26 October, as part of the Community Sector Disaster Capability (CSDC) Project.

Organised by CSDC local partners Peppercorn Services and Bligh Park Community Services, the breakfast included speakers from the NSW Reconstruction Authority, the SES, Disaster Welfare and NCOSS.

“Local services have been tirelessly working in disaster preparedness, response and recovery in the Hawkesbury over the past few years, over several disaster events,” said Trish Glover, Resilience and Support Services Manager, thanking attendees for their time and valuable input.

“Many have been assisting their communities in times of disaster without formal recognition or funding. The Breakfast was a fantastic opportunity to reconnect and collaborate to highlight strengths, gaps and potential ways forward to better prepare and collaborate for future disaster events.”

Outcomes of the breakfast will inform capability building activities to be delivered next year.

The Hawkesbury project is one of four, place-based projects comprising the CDSC Project, which is led by NCOSS in collaboration with AbSec and the LCSA.

The CDSC Project aims to build a more collaborative approach to disaster risk reduction, working with vulnerable communities and non-government organisations. It is funded through the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund, which is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments. 

For more details, visit the project webpage or email Project Director Megan Nicholson.

NCOSS attended the Youth Action Conference on the 26 and 27 October 2023 and one of our Policy Leads, Andrea Angeles, presented our Mapping Economic Disadvantage in NSW research in a workshop on the challenges of intergenerational inequity. It was great to see participants interested in our mapping tool. One told us that she had already used it to help inform her work!

The passion of the Youth Sector was definitely felt across the two days, and it was great to see so many youth workers come together to celebrate their successes and share ways to improve services. Highlights included workers sharing their highlights of the week (some small, some big); the powerful stories; and the experiences and advice First Nation organisations shared with the audience for how best to work with First Nation communities.

The Hon Rose Jackson, Minister for Youth was also gave an opening address on Day 2 and took time to answer some hard hitting questions from the crowd (mostly about supporting the overworked sector).

Thanks, Youth Action, for inviting NCOSS to participate!

It was such an incredible evening at the 2023 Youth Work Awards, held on the evening of 26 October, to celebrate the hard work, passion and achievements of the Youth Sector.

There were nearly 100 nominations, and over 170 people attended the Awards night which was opened by the Hon Jihad Dib, Minister for Youth Justice.

Acting NCOSS CEO, Ben McAlpine, was there to present the NSW Youth Worker of the Year award to Damien Corbridge, Senior Youth Transition Worker in the Community Restorative Centre's
Pathways Home program. Ben also presented the Outstanding Work with Young People from Diverse Cultures, Backgrounds, Experiences award to the team behind Amplifying M Voices at the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra.

NCOSS is proud to be a supporter of the Youth Work Awards. Congratulations, Youth Action, on putting on such a great event.

One of our Policy Leads, Neha Shah, attended the Community Transport Organisation conference, Illuminate 2023, in Port Macquarie to talk about how poverty is changing in NSW and discuss how a lack of reliable transportation can exacerbate the effects, and further entrench people in the cycle of poverty.

It was great to connect with organisations working in the community transport sector and learn more about the important work they do. In particular, it was interesting to learn more about the Transport Security Index. It’s been developed by the University of Michigan and it’s the first validated measure of transportation security that offers insights into who experiences transportation insecurity and enables researchers and practitioners to determine which interventions can improve this condition.

You can learn more about the index here.

7 News Coast covered the Disaster Ready Together Workshop held on 6 November in the Northern Rivers.

Disaster Ready Together is being lead by led by Resilient Lismore, in partnership with Rekindling the Spirit, Mid Richmond Neighbourhood Centre, Nimbin Neighbourhood and Information Centre and Kyogle Together. It's one of four, place-based projects comprising the Community Sector Disaster Capability Project (CDSC Project), which is led by NCOSS in collaboration with AbSec and the LCSA.

Watch the coverage, including NCOSS' own Megan Nicholson, Director of the CDSC Project.

A coalition of legal, First Nations and Human Rights organisations have come together to call on the NSW government to raise the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14.

The group, which also includes unions and peak bodies in non-government sectors, says they bring a deep understanding of the negative impacts criminalising children has as well as knowledge and expertise on how to do better as a community.

In a statement, the group said better outcomes and a safer community wouldn't be achieved by doing things that don't work.

"Dragging children as young as ten through police stations and courts, strip-searching them and locking them up causes harm and fails to deliver on community safety," the statement said.

"In NSW, we can raise the age to 14 to make our communities safer through evidence-informed and community-led responses and alternatives."

The campaigners hope that the Minns Labor government - elected in March after more than a decade of Coalition rule - will approach the issue with a new perspective.

Executive Director of Justice Reform Initiative, Dr Mindy Sotiri noted the "overwhelming evidence that early contact with police increases the likelihood of ongoing criminal justice system involvement."

Dr Sotiri said community safety comes about through investing in community-led initiatives, not "managing' children in the justice system."

"There is an opportunity right now for both sides of politics in NSW to show real leadership in Raising the Age to 14 and committing to resourcing the evidence-based alternatives that we know will build a safer community for everybody," she said.

The Raise the Age Lead Group includes the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) NSW/ACT, AbSec, Amnesty International Australia, ANTAR, Australian Services Union NSW & ACT Services Branch, Community Legal Centres NSW, Just Reinvest NSW, Justice Reform Initiative, New South Wales Council of Social Service (NCOSS), NSW Council for Civil Liberties (NSWCCL), NSW Teachers Federation, Public Interest Advocacy Centre and Youth Action.

Read Dechlan Brennan's full 25 October National Indigenous Times article.

The Tenants' Union is thrilled to announce the New Renters Kit! This kit seeks to bridge the gap between tenancy law and everyday renting challenges. The kit is intended for young people, international students, migrants, refugees and those who haven’t rented in a while. But experienced renters may find it a good refresher too! The kit helps renters get started, avoid common pitfalls, and resolve issues that commonly come up during a tenancy. Community workers will find the kit useful to help clients navigate the world of renting.

The Tenants' Union is inviting those interested to join them for an online lunchtime launch of the New Renters Kit at 12pm on Thursday 16 November, via Zoom.

New training is also available for community workers and community groups. Register your interest here.

Join the DREAM Network! A unique opportunity for young people with disability and innovative employers to connect and learn about accessible employment.

The DREAM Employment Network bridges the gap between young people with disability who want to work, and forward-thinking employers who recognise that diversity fosters creativity, innovation, and success. The aim of the Network is to build leadership skills, inclusive employment pathways, and opportunities for leadership positions for young people with disability.

Members of the Network are invited to workshops, panels and events where you will have the opportunity to:

develop leadership skills and pathways
learn about reasonable adjustments
access resources
build confidence talking about disability access needs
learn about disability rights in the workplace connect
build your networks.

Learn more about DREAM workshops, activities and events, and join the network here.

The NSW Government is conducting Bus Passenger Forums across the state to speak with the community face to face on what they want to get from their bus services. Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, Dr Marjorie O'Neill, will chair these forums. Members of the public and community groups, local businesses and non-government organisations are invited to have their say.

The following dates have been scheduled. (Note, they may be subject to change):

Blacktown
Max Webber Library Function Centre, 61 Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown 2148

Tuesday, 14 November 2023, 6:00pm-6:45pm
Tuesday, 14 November 2023, 7:00pm-7:45pm

Orange
The Hotel Canobolas, Summer Street, Orange 2800

Thursday, 16 November 2023, 10:00am-10:45am
Thursday,16 November 2023, 11:00am-11:45am

Marsden Park (community pop-up) - registration not required
Elara Village Shopping Centre, Elara Bvd and Northbourne Drive, Marsden Park 2765

Saturday, 18 November 2023, 10:00am-12.00pm

Broken Hill
Broken Hill Civic Centre, 31 Chloride St, Broken Hill 2880

Saturday, 25 November 2023, 9:00am-10:30am

Chatswood
Chatswood Interchange, Concourse (Station) Level, 436 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood 2067

Monday, 27 November 2023, 3:00pm-6:00pm

Batemans Bay
Bay Pavilions, 12 Vesper Street, Batemans Bay 2536

Friday, 1 December 2023, 1:00pm-1:45pm
Friday, 1 December 2023, 2:00pm-2:45pm

Northern Beaches
Hunter
South East Sydney
Parramatta
Liverpool
Wollongong
Epping
Gosford
Mittagong
Nowra

You can also have your say by completing the Taskforce's survey or making a submission.

DFV Workforce Baseline Survey
The Department of Communities and Justice is conducting a survey of the Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) specialist and prevention workforce, and broader workforce who come into contact with victim survivors and those who choose to use domestic and family violence. This is the opportunity for front-line workers, managers and CEOs in your organisation to have a voice. The broader workforce survey takes about 10-15 minutes to complete, and the specialist DFV and prevention workforce survey will take about 25 minutes to complete.

The link to the survey is here. The closing date is 12 November 2023.

2023 National Workforce Survey for Child, Parent and Family Mental Health
The survey is anonymous and takes about 20 mins to complete. It closes on 15 November 2023. Complete the survey for your chance to win one of five iPads.

To learn more about the survey, check out the Emerging Minds website.

Referendum expenditure disclosure - AEC requirements
Charities spending $15,200 or more between 11 March to 14 October 2023 on referendum campaigning, or donations to organisations involved with the referendum, must make a financial disclosure to the AEC. Disclosures must be made to the AEC by 29 January 2024.

The AEC has published guidance on its website about the referendum disclosure scheme.

NCOSS 2023 AGM
Yirranma Place, Gadigal Land, 262 Liverpool Street, Darlinghurst & by livestream
Friday, 24 November 2023 @ 10:00am-12:00pm
Free | Register

This year, our AGM will be held on Friday, 24 November 2023 on the part of Gadigal land now also known as Darlinghurst.

Join us for the formal business meeting and stay to hear from our special guest speakers from Tribal Warrior and Strathfield Rotary about Work Fit – their new Indigenous Workplace Readiness Program – followed by a cultural performance by Tribal Warrior performers.

If you're able to attend in person, light refreshments will be served afterwards. The NCOSS team is looking forward to seeing you there!

NSW Legislative Council Parliamentary Inquiries Workshop
NSW Parliament House, 6 Macquarie Street, Sydney
Wednesday, 6 December 2023 @ 8:45am-1:00pm
Free | Register

How to have your say and maximise your influence

Do you work for a non-government organisation and want to know more about Parliamentary Inquiries, so that you can participate and influence policy decisions? Do you want to build your skills in writing submissions or in appearing as a witness?

Facilitated by staff members of the NSW Legislative Council parliamentary committees, as well as by the NCOSS Policy & Advocacy team, this workshop is most useful for people who have limited or no experience in writing submissions or taking part in hearings. It is also well-regarded by those who would like to refresh their knowledge and skills in the subject areas.

More information is available on the NCOSS website.

Youth Co-Research Masterclasses
Young and Resilient Research Centre
Sydney: Tuesday, 14 November 2023 @10:00am-2:00pm
Online: Tuesday, 21 November 2023 @ 10:00am-12:30pm
Melbourne: Tuesday, 28 November 2023 @ 10:00am-2:00pm
Free | Register

The Young and Resilient Research Centre and the Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) are excited to announce the launch of their Youth Co-Research Masterclasses. These insightful masterclasses are designed to equip researchers with practical strategies and tools from their upcoming Youth Co-research Toolkit, supported by the Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies.

Join one of the masterclasses for an interactive exploration of co-research with young people, where you'll gain valuable insights, access to practical tools and resources, and be able to foster connections and inspiration for meaningful engagement of young people in research roles in your work. Researchers from all industries, disciplines and stages of their careers who are interested in implementing youth co-research are invited, so please share widely.

In-person masterclasses will be held at the following dates and locations:

Sydney: Level 7, Room 39A, Peter Shergold Building, Western Sydney University, 169 Macquarie Street, Parramatta 2150
Melbourne: The Assembly Hall, Boyd Community Hub, 207 City Road, Southbank 3006.

Don't miss this exclusive opportunity to expand your understanding of co-research fundamentals and ignite a renewed passion for working with youth researchers.

Limited spots are available, so secure your place by promptly registering. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at a Youth Co-Research Masterclass.

Carers and Centrelink - Community Legal Education

Welfare Rights Centre
Tuesday, 14 November 2023 @ 2:00-4:00pm. Online
Free | Register

Want to gain a better understanding of Centrelink payments for people who are caring for others who are frail, ill, injured or have a disability?

There are a number of different Centrelink payments intended for people who have taken on a caring role. These include Carer Payment, Carer Allowance and Child Disability Assistance Payment.

This free online session will cover the qualification and eligibility requirements associated with each payment, including rules about levels of care and frequency of respite. We’ll outline the Centrelink assessment tools used and the type of medical evidence needed. We’ll also address the relevant residency rules, income and assets tests, and other factors that may affect each payment.

The next free Welfare Rights Centre – Community Legal Information session will take place on 5 December 2023 and will look at Centrelink and services targeting domestic and family violence. Register.

Mid-life health and wellbeing: helping women thrive in the workplace
HESTA and AIA Australian
Thursday, 16 November 2023 @ 12:00-1:00pm. Online
Free I Register

Menopause is a natural stage of women’s lives that occurs at the average ages of 45-55 and can last for five to ten years. For some, the symptoms of menopause can be extremely debilitating, impacting women’s needs in the workplace and experiences of work.

Where supports are not adequate, women may revert to part-time work, forgo leadership opportunities, or pursue early retirement. This can result in lost wages and superannuation contributions, which could lead to financial insecurity in retirement.

So, how can you help your employees feel supported and to thrive at work despite their symptoms?

Women at mid-life are often at the peak of their careers with rich experience behind them – and the potential to remain in the workforce for another 20-30 years.

In partnership with AIA Australia, the webinar will unpack:

evidence-based education about menopause strategies for supporting employees experiencing mid-life, to enable continued participation in the workforce
strategies for supporting employees experiencing mid-life, to enable continued participation in the workforce and better job satisfaction.

User's Guide to the NSW Mental Health System
Mental Health Carers NSW
Monday, 20 November @ 10am-2pm AEDT, Online
Free I Register

MHCN's User’s Guide to the NSW Mental Health System course introduces you to the complexities of the NSW mental health system and provides basic knowledge to help navigate it and be a better advocate for yourself and others.

The course touches on mental health and the processes and systems that are in place to support people experiencing different degrees of mental health issues.

Training courses are designed to help educate and teach useful skills to mental health
carers, families and friends. However, others such as people living with mental health conditions, mental health organisations and professionals, students and other interested individuals are welcome to attend and will still benefit from the training.

Privacy Obligations for Not-for-profits
Justice Connect - Not-for-Profit Law
Tuesday, 21 November @ 12.45-2pm AEDT, Online
$49 - $85 I Register

Today privacy is a critical risk area facing not-for-profit boards. It’s essential that staff and volunteers understand the roles they play in managing personal information. As the federal government progresses key reforms to the Privacy Act, not-for-profit organisations need to understand their current obligations and prepare for possible changes to come.

In this webinar we’ll walk you through the personal information lifecycle, including key obligations in collecting, using and disclosing, storing and providing access to personal information – as well as how to respond to complaints and breaches.

Online Event - Economic Abuse and Coercive Control
Economic Abuse Awareness Day
Monday 27 November @ 2.30-4.00pm, Online
Free I Register

Did you know that from July 2024, coercive control will be a criminal offence in NSW? It occurs when someone repeatedly uses abusive behaviours towards an intimate partner to coerce or control them.

To recognise Economic Abuse Awareness Day (EAAD) 2023, which has the theme ‘counting the cost’ and is part of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, Women NSW will be hosting a free online event on economic abuse and coercive control.

There will also be a deep dive into the Women’s Financial Toolkit to explore trusted resources that can help.

Understanding Contracts (New)
Justice Connect - Not-for-Profit Law
Tuesday, 28 November @ 12.45-2pm AEDT, Online
$49 - $85 I Register

Contracts are part of everyday operations for many not-for-profits. It’s important to know what issues to look out for when signing on the dotted line.

In this webinar, we’ll introduce you to the legal basics of contracting and give tips on what to think about when faced with a contract. We’ll also outline changes to laws about unfair terms and how they impact not-for-profits.

2023 Kim Santow Law & Social Justice Panel
The University of Sydney
Thursday, 30 November @ 6:00-7:30pm, Level 1 New Law Building Annex (F10A), Law Lounge, University of Sydney
Free I Register

Is there a looming crisis in social justice recruitment?

Supported by the Kim Santow Law and Social Justice Fund, Sydney Law School’s annual panel discussion closely examines contemporary socio-legal issues, with social justice and human rights considerations central to the discussion.

Not-for-profit agencies for a social justice purpose provide a wide range of essential public activities, from client services to advocacy for change, but these agencies are facing increasing challenges in recruiting and retaining staff. To discuss this difficult policy issue, this year’s eminent panel brings together a range of perspectives:

Dr Anna Cody, Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner
Thomas Costa, Assistant Secretary, Unions NSW
Emily Hamilton, Advocacy & Communications Manager, Community Legal Centres Australia
Rosa Loria, CEO, Sydney Multicultural Community Services
Ben McAlpine, Acting NCOSS CEO
Bailey Riley, President, National Union of Students

The panel discussion will be facilitated by Professor Simon Rice, OAM.

The panel discussion will be followed by refreshments, and presentation of the Kim Santow Law and Social Justice Essay Prize.

Cultural Connection
AbSec
Tuesday, 12 December 2023 @ 9:30am-4:30pm. Online
$450 per person, group bookings available I Register

It is a requirement in NSW that all Aboriginal children and young people in out-of-home care have a Cultural Care Plan and a Cultural Support Plan.

The Cultural Connections Workshop helps child protection practitioners and agency staff support Aboriginal children in care through effective cultural planning.

During the one-day workshop, AbSec's Aboriginal trainer will guide you through how to create meaningful and achievable cultural planning, and how to put it into practice. They will also build interpersonal skills to help you consult with Aboriginal families and communities; maintaining these relationships is central to forming complete and effective cultural support plans, and gaining the important input of all key figures in a child’s life.

This one day course is designed for those working or intending to work in the child protection industry as a service provider, case worker, manager etc.

Grants to End Homelessness
The Mercy Foundation
Closing Date: Monday, 27 November 2023

The Mercy Foundation Grants to End Homelessness are available for seeding initiatives, services, projects, advocacy and research that will contribute to the goal of ending homelessness by supporting permanent housing, housing first and permanent supportive housing solutions.

Now accepting Expressions of Interest for the 2023/24 Grants to End Homelessness Program. Please call at least two weeks prior to the closing date (27 November 2023) to discuss your project before submitting your EOI. More information here.

Individual Capacity Building Grant
Department of Social Services (Aus Gov)
Closing Date: Thursday, 30 November 2023

Funding of up to $90 million will be available to deliver one-off, time-limited activities to support systemic, nationwide access to peer support, mentoring, self-advocacy and other skills building for people with disability, their family and carers.

Activities should be co-designed with people with people with disability aligning with Australia’s Disability Strategy 2021-2031 and be about changing attitudes and practices, resulting in improved delivery of disability services and developing better practices to support people with disability in achieving their life goals.

For more information, visit the grant information page.

Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund - Flexible Initiatives Fund
NSW Department of Education
Closing Date: Friday, 1 December 2023

There are two distinct streams in the trial. Applicants may seek funding for program activities in one or both streams:

Stream 1 focuses on smaller-scale operational changes within a single provider and service type. It also supports the establishment of new family day care services by existing providers in outer regional, remote, and very remote areas.
Stream 2 involves two established approved services of differing service types working together to implement or extend flexible practices or models. For example, an existing local family day care service provides wrap around hours care for children enrolled in a community preschool.

Services in areas with low socio-economic indicators, in remote regions, Multifunctional Aboriginal Children’s Services, Aboriginal Controlled Children’s Services and Aboriginal Child and Family Centres will receive extra consideration under the program, including allowances for higher costs in rural and remote areas.

For more information, visit the grant information page.

Settlement Engagement and Transition Support Program
Department of Home Affairs (Aus Gov)
Closing Date: Wednesday, 6 December 2023

The Australian Government is inviting providers to apply for grants to supply services under the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support Program from 2024 to 2027.

The purpose of the SETS program is to equip and empower humanitarian entrants, other vulnerable migrants and their communities, with the knowledge and tools to address their settlement needs in order to improve social and economic participation, and community connectedness. The program focuses on building independence, self-agency, self-efficacy, and personal well-being.

For more information, visit the grant information page.

National Justice Reinvestment Program
Attorney General's Department (Aus Gov)
Closing Date: Thursday, 7 December 2023

The Australian Government is inviting applications through an open non-competitive process to deliver justice reinvestment initiatives.

Funding is available from 2023-24 to 2025-26 for up to 30 place-based community-led justice reinvestment initiatives. The National Justice Reinvestment Program is an ongoing program beyond 2025-26.

This grant opportunity aims to support the development and delivery of community and First Nations-led justice reinvestment initiatives across Australia, by supporting:

the development, implementation, and evaluation of local justice reinvestment strategies and activities
local project teams and leadership structures to undertake the work of developing, implementing and evaluating justice reinvestment strategies.

For more information, visit the grant information page.

NSW Storm & Flood Disaster Recovery Small Business Grant
Service NSW
Closing Date: Friday, 15 December 2023

If you're a small business or a not-for-profit organisation in NSW and you've been directly impacted by storms and floods from 4 August 2022 or 14 September 2022 onwards, you may be eligible for a storm and flood disaster recovery small business grant.

This disaster recovery grant of up to $50,000 is to help pay for the costs of clean-up and reinstatement of a small business or not-for-profit organisation’s operations.

For more information, visit the grant information page.

Safe Places Inclusion Round - Emergency FDV Accommodation
Capital works grants for the renovation, building or purchase of new or expanded emergency accommodation for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence (FDV), with a focus on First Nations women and children, women and children from cultural and linguistically diverse communities, and women and children with disability. Closing Date: Thursday, 14 November 2023. Apply.

Pride Foundation Australia - Small Grants (Round 3)
Grants of a maximum of $1,000 are available for projects directly or indirectly assisting, involving and benefiting LGBTQIA+ people and promote positive social outcomes and mental health in the community. Closing Date: Monday, 20 November 2023. Apply.

Some of the latest from our Jobs Board:

Aged Care Advocate x 2 (Coffs Harbour) - Seniors Rights Service - VIEW JOB

Events Coordinator (Inner City Sydney) - Community Housing Industry Association - VIEW JOB

General Manager (Inner City Sydney) - Youth Action - VIEW JOB

Program Manager, Family Violence (Far West NSW) - Salvation Army - VIEW JOB

Service Manager - Children's Services (Inner West Sydney) - Inner West Council - VIEW JOB

Assistant Manager, Gunyah (Inner West Sydney) - WHOS - VIEW JOB

Case Workers - DVF & Youth (Western Sydney) - Women's Community Shelters - VIEW JOB

Caseworker (South West Sydney) - Macarthur Family and Youth Services - VIEW JOB

Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Healing Clinician (Illawarra) - Illawarra Women's Trauma Recovery Centre - VIEW JOB

NCOSS gives its members the opportunity to share their stories, research, resources, events and more through NCOSS eNews. If you have something to share with the sector, send through a short blurb (50-70 words), image (250 x 250px) and relevant links to info@ncoss.org.au.

We will endeavour to add it to an edition of NCOSS e-News (goes out every fortnight on Thursday morning). Deadline for content is 5:00pm on Monday, the week of publication. The next deadline is Monday, 20 November 2023.