A few things we are currently working on …

Families Australia recently completed hosting a series of sector consultation sessions to explore how non-Indigenous NGOs can best work collaboratively with First Nations organisations in supporting the growth and capacity of the ACCO sector and better understand the potential changes and impacts on non-Indigenous NGOs as sector funding profiles change to accommodate a shift in proportionate investment for child and family support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs).

These sector consultation forms part of a research project called “Changing the Balance” which Families Australia, on behalf of the National Coalition, have been engaged to undertake by the Department of Social Services (read more about this project under the ‘Supporting a National Child and Family Investment Strategy‘.

A Department of Social Services (DSS) fact-sheet on the National Child and Family Investment Strategy can be obtained through this link.

Changing the Balance sector consultation sessions

As part of this project, sector consultation sessions have been held across the country, including:

  • National Coalition on Child Safety and Wellbeing member and stakeholders on 15 February 2024
  • Victoria (Melbourne metro and regional) on 19 March 2024
  • South Australia (Adelaide metro and regional) on 20 March 2024
  • Queensland (Brisbane metro and QLD regional) on 3 April 2024
  • Western Australia (Perth metro, Geraldton and WA regional) 16 & 17 April
  • New South Wales (Sydney metro and NSW regional, ACT & Tasmania) on 22 April 2024; and
  • Northern Territory (online) on 22 May 2024.

We thank participating organisations, volunteers, workers and board members for taking the time to attend and contribute to this project.

The development of the National Child and Family Investment Strategy includes general, and First Nations specific consultation mechanisms led by SNAICC. State and Territory governments are also developing engagement strategies related to this matter for their respective sectors.

Supporting a National Child and 
Family Investment Strategy

The development of a National Child and Family Investment Strategy (the Strategy) is a key component of Action 2 of the Safe and Supported: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander First Action Plan 2023-26. The Strategy will focus on shifting investment to prevention and early supports that address and prevent the underlying social determinants of child abuse and neglect.  It will also drive a shift in proportionate investment for child and family services delivered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, towards the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO) sector.

SNAICC, the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak (QATSICPP) and Social Ventures Australia (SVA) have partnered to deliver the Strategy by June 2024. 

The transition of funding towards ACCOs over the years ahead will have an impact upon non-Indigenous Non – Government Organisations (NGOs) as sector funding profiles change as the funding base of the ACCO sector increases.

On behalf of the National Coalition, Families Australia have been engaged by the Department of Social Services to undertake a complementary research project exploring the potential impact on non-indigenous (NGOs) when a portion of future child and family services funding will be transferred to ACCOs.

Goals of the Families Australia / National Coalition project include:

  • Identifying primary organisational and operational challenges to be faced by mainstream NGOs from the transfer of funding allocations to ACCOs; and
  • Identifying potential issues concerning future funding sustainability for mainstream NGOs in the child and family services sector.

Activities to support this work have included/will include:

  • Multiple face-to-face group consultation sessions across Australia – including in remote/regional settings;
  • Interviews with non-Indigenous NGO providers – large and small –across organisations of differing size, scale and geography;
  • Research and presentation of case studies which highlighting the issues faced by non-Indigenous NGOs at different stages of transition;
  • A national online survey
  • A desktop review of the jurisdictional plans in each State and Territory for transition arrangements; and
  • Development of a comprehensive report with key findings and actionable recommendations for governments.

The final research report – which will be developed in parallel to the National Child and Family Investment Strategy – is due mid-2024.

If you would like to find out more about this project please email: policy@familiesaustralia.org.au and one of the team will get back to you.