Child poverty can be reduced by asking one question

15 October 2025

CEO Update

It’s been almost four decades since a former Prime Minister Bob Hawke promised that ‘by 1990, no Australian child will be living in poverty.’

Although he later admitted to regretting making the vow, it was a powerful declaration that child poverty is unacceptable. To be fair, while child poverty wasn’t eliminated, it was reduced by 30 per cent.

But as we mark Anti-Poverty Week in 2025, the cold, hard facts show we still have a very long way to go towards fixing child poverty in Australia.

One in every six children is growing up without the basics of food, safe housing or the chance to thrive at school. The percentage of children living in child poverty is higher than any other age group — a figure that is difficult to comprehend in one of the most prosperous nations on earth.

In part, it comes down to a lack of investment in social infrastructure to support our most vulnerable communities. This is something NCOSS noted as a missed opportunity in the 2025-26 NSW Budget, which delivered minimal funding for essential community services and crisis prevention, particularly for those on low incomes, experiencing domestic and family violence or trauma, or who are at risk of homelessness.

When we talk about building communities, we’re not talking about bricks and mortar or poles and wires — we’re talking about investing in the community sector to help prevent people from experiencing poverty, homelessness or trauma before it occurs.

Our ‘Impossible Choices’ cost-of-living report last year revealed the struggles of vulnerable households, especially for single-parent families who are the hardest hit in housing stress, in not being able to afford quality meals for their children or who were unable to make an essential payment.

The report also showed three-quarters of these households sacrificed spending on their children — on educational needs, recreational activities and with greater food insecurity.

But here's the good news: poverty is not inevitable. We’ve seen real progress when governments commit to act, which is why we’re calling for legislation to track and report on child poverty every year.

It’s simple: what gets measured, gets fixed. This law would make sure every Federal Budget answers one question: "How are we reducing child poverty?"

We need action. We need accountability. And we need it now — because every child deserves a fair start. Every week that ticks by is another week a child goes without the basics.

Join us in calling on the government to pass legislation and help end child poverty by 2030.

NCOSS spoke with Seema Patel, Centre Manager for headspace Miranda & Hurstville about the impact poverty can have on a person's mental health.

Tell us about headspace and the types of programs you run?

headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention services to young people aged 12 to 25. Our goal is to support young people in a holistic way, offering care across four key service streams:

Mental health
Physical and sexual health
Alcohol and other drugs
Work and study support

Locally at headspace Hurstville, we offer a range of additional services including family therapy, psychiatry, peer work support, and both social and clinical group programs. We also have a Community Engagement Coordinator who delivers outreach in the community to enhance mental health literacy, increase awareness, reduce stigma, and promote connection and wellbeing among young people and their families.

What are the impacts of poverty on a child’s mental health?

Poverty can have a profound and lasting impact on a young person’s mental health. When families experience financial hardship, young people may face instability, housing insecurity, and limited access to timely physical, educational, and mental health support.

These challenges can lead to chronic stress, feelings of shame or social exclusion, and can affect a young person’s self-esteem, sense of identity, and ability to concentrate at school. Over time, this increases the risk of anxiety, depression, and other long-term mental health difficulties.

Up to a third of young people say they feel anxious due to climate change and housing affordability, how can we address these big picture issues?

We need both systemic action and individual empowerment. On a systemic level, governments and communities must commit to policies that address the housing and climate crises. At the same time, it’s vital that we support and empower young people by building resilience from a young age, helping them find meaningful ways to take action, connect with others who share their values, and feel hopeful about the future.

What’s the biggest change we need to make to improve youth mental health?

We need to invest more in early identification and intervention, building capacity across communities, schools, and primary care settings to promote mental health, resilience, and social connection.

It’s also crucial that we continue breaking down stigma so that every young person feels comfortable seeking help and has access to the right support at the right time.

Ultimately, improving youth mental health is about creating environments where young people feel safe, supported, and heard. Having the additional funds to set up more community mental health centres like headspace is a good start.

NCOSS CEO Cara Varian and NCOSS Policy Lead Neha Shah met with the Centacare New England North West team in Moree yesterday.

Connecting with our members and other service providers in their local area provides an important opportunity to listen and discuss their challenges firsthand and inform how NCOSS can better support them and the sector as a whole.

The conversation centered on three pressing challenges: supporting young people's connection to learning, broadening the scope of programs to work with younger children and the challenges of recruiting skilled workers in regional towns.

The National Emergency Management Agency has provided a briefing to prepare not-for-profit and volunteer sectors for the warmer months.

Sea surface and land temperatures are higher than average. This means:

Heatwaves are more likely due to higher minimum temperatures. In short if it does not cool off at night, people are hotter for longer. This weather is especially hazardous for children, the elderly and people with health issues.
Thunderstorms are likely with the increased risk of flash flooding and damage. There is also an increased risk of riverine flooding along the east coast of NSW.
Tropical cyclone risk is normal, however, cyclones (average 4 per year), may be more intense, contributing to flooding events.

The Bureau of Meteorology highlights that forecasts can change. Check out the latest long-range forecasts here.

The NCOSS Heat Resources have been updated to support you as you support your community.

The NSW Government has responded to the NSW inquiry into the delivery of specific health services and specialist care in remote, rural and regional NSW.

NCOSS put in a submission to this inquiry and appeared at the public hearing on 31 May 2025. The inquiry echoed our recommendations to address the community transport service gap under the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme (IPTAAS) and closer collaboration between Local Health Districts and non-government organisations and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs).

Regarding IPTAAS, the NSW Government’s response committed to:

Reviewing IPTAAS policy in relation to community transport as part of the development of a new Transport for Health Policy for NSW Health
Exploring expansion of eligible services under IPTAAS if additional funding becomes available, including to women’s health clinics, health screening services and paediatric allied health services.

NCOSS will be engaging with NSW Health to continue supporting and advocating for these changes.

NCOSS also notes the NSW Government’s response to the inquiry referred to the development of a new statewide paediatric plan and implementation of the NSW Aboriginal Health Plan 2024–2034 as mechanisms through which closer collaboration and coordination with ACCHOs and NGOs may be achieved in specific areas. NCOSS will monitor these statewide plans as they progress.

Better Renting is opening applications for renters in NSW to track just how unbelievably hot rental homes get in the summertime.

Renter researchers are everyday people who track the temperatures inside their rental homes and share what it’s like to get through summer heat without basics like insulation or cooling.

Your stories and data will help Better Renting push for minimum energy efficiency standards for rental homes in NSW (something we know is desperately needed).

The more renters we reach, the stronger our case will be for safe, healthy homes in NSW.

Applications close Friday 7 November. Apply here.

Youth Action, in partnership with the NSW Ministry of Health, has created Ask for Health – a go-to spot for young people's health questions.

Ask for Health is looking for young people to join their steering committee. They will meet monthly to discuss ideas about how to improve young people’s health literacy. This is a paid opportunity.

They will work alongside Youth Action to deliver the outcomes from the Ask for Health project workplan approved by our funding body, NSW Ministry of Health.

Committee members can also be involved in peer facilitation training for youth sector workers on youth health literacy, and can be involved in training other peers in facilitation skills. Members get the opportunity to inform and attend health panels with sector experts.

For more information, contact Kate at katet@youthaction.org.au.

Inclusive Leadership: From Awareness to Everyday Practice

LEAD Professional Development
16 October, Online
$36-$60 | Register here

Inclusive leadership means more than valuing diversity, it is about embedding inclusion into every decision, every interaction, and every system so that people feel respected, safe, and able to thrive.

This workshop will equip you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to lead inclusively with intention. Drawing on research that shows inclusive workplaces deliver better outcomes for staff, clients, and organisational performance, you will explore your role as a leader in driving cultural change.

Climate Change and Mental Health - A Ticking Timebomb?
BEING – Mental Health Consumers
17 October, Online/NSW Parliament House
Free, Register here

The contribution of climate anxiety and disaster exposure on our mental health, particularly that of young people, warrants deeper and more urgent attention, which is why the World Federation for Mental Health identified "Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies" as its theme for Mental Health Day 2025.

Join us to explore: the links between climate change & mental health; how is climate change impacting mental health in NSW; what are the repercussions and what can be done/needs to be done to mitigate its impact.

Early parenthood and out-of-home care: Insights to strengthen practice and policy
FACSIAR
21 October, Online
Free | Register here

In this webinar, Dr Amy Gill from the University of Sydney will share insights from her PhD research, which explored how services respond to early parenthood in the context of out-of-home care in NSW.

We will also hear from a panel of experts, including DCJ policy staff, NSW Health staff and representatives from Youth Consult for Change who will reflect on the findings and provide advice on how to better support young parents in care.

Annual Gala Ball
Great Lakes Womens Shelter
22 November, Tuncurry
$125 | Register here

This enchanting evening promises not only to be a memorable celebration but also a vital opportunity to support a cause that transforms lives.

As you enjoy a night filled with exquisite dining, live entertainment, and inspiring stories, you'll be contributing to the essential services and programs that empower women and children in our community.

Join us in making a difference—secure your tickets now and be part of a night that truly matters.

Gala Dinner & Awards Night

AbSec
18 November, Murrook Culture Centre

$180 - $260 | Register here

This year’s theme, Honour the Past, Empower the Present, Shape the Future, is about coming together to celebrate our communities, reflect on our shared journey, and shine a light on the people making a difference for Aboriginal children and families.

Tickets include a 3-course meal, Unico Zelo wines, live entertainment, and access to the NSW Aboriginal Child and Family Awards Ceremony, all while celebrating on Worimi Country, in the company of community leaders, practitioners, carers, and supporters from across NSW.

Self-Care for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Workers
LEAD Professional Development
27 November, Seven Hills
Free - $45 | Register here

From an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective, health and wellbeing are more than just about your own physical wellbeing. It includes the social, emotional and cultural wellbeing of the whole community.

During this workshop we will explore the risks of compassion fatigue, burnout and vicarious trauma with a view to growing your resilience and strength in ways that will help you keep track of, account for and assist in resisting the negative outcomes of working with people experiencing trauma.

Gambling Harm Prevention Grants
Closing Date: 20 October 2025

Funding to support the creation of culturally relevant social media content about gambling harm, developed in partnership with young Aboriginal people.

The grants aim to:

empower Aboriginal young people to start conversations about how gambling affects them and their communities
raise awareness about gambling harm among Aboriginal young people
support the development of engaging, culturally meaningful and community-informed social media content
build community capacity to co-design and deliver awareness campaigns about gambling harm
learn how social media campaigns on this issue can make a difference.

For more information, please visit the grant information page.

World AIDS Day - Red Ribbon Grants
Closing Date: 24 October 2025

Commemorated annually on 1st December, World AIDS Day and HIV Awareness Week, starting the 25th November, provide an opportunity to increase awareness, educate community, combat prejudice and show support for people living with HIV. The theme for World AIDS Day 2025 is ‘No one left behind’.

The South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) Red Ribbon Grants Program offers small grants of up to $500 to local organisations/ groups to run activities.

For more information, please visit the grant information page.

Inclusive Energy Outreach Grant
Closing Date: 3 November 2025

Grants are available for community-based organisations to deliver targeted outreach and tailored energy literacy education to their communities. Eligible organisations can apply for funding to deliver face-to-face community engagement (e.g. workshops), development of resources, partnerships with local councils, community groups or small business networks and more.

Funded projects will empower vulnerable cohorts to make informed energy choices to make their homes comfortable and affordable.

For more information, please visit the grant information page.

Community Mental Health Drug & Alcohol Research Network Grant
Closing Date: 16 October 2025

CMHDARN is excited to invite member organisations of Mental Health Coordinating Council (MHCC) and/or the Network of Alcohol and Other Drugs Agencies to apply for the 2025–2026 Innovation and Evaluation Grant.

This $20,000 grant supports community-managed organisations working across mental health and alcohol and other drugs to undertake a project that:

Champions innovation and evaluation
Addresses both MH and AOD service delivery contexts
Builds sector knowledge and capacity

For more information, please visit the grant information page.

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 Wednesday morning). Deadline for content is 5:00pm on Monday, the week of publication. The next deadline is Monday, 27 October 2025.