On 23 October 2025, Minister Plibersek announced proposed changes to the Department of Social Services’ Families and Children Programs (FaC Activity Program).

The aim is to bring them together under a single national program to better support children and families. The programs impacted are:

• Children and Parenting Support
• Family Mental Health Support Services
• Communities for Children Facilitating Partners
• Family and Relationship Services
• Specialised Family Violence Services

Families Australia actively engaged in the consultation, including submitting this response to the DSS discussion paper: A New Approach to Programs for Families and Children.

As part of the process, we sought member and stakeholder feedback through a short, pulse survey (completed by more than 60 respondents) and member consultation (attended by more than 10 attendees).