The Ministerial Taskforce on Aboriginal Affairs is seeking your views on the development of a new Aboriginal affairs strategy for NSW.

The new strategy will focus on the areas of service delivery and accountability, education and employment. The Ministerial Taskforce on Aboriginal Affairs encourages all interested parties to have their say on these issues.

A number of public meetings are being held around NSW:

• Consultation venues and times

Flyers:

• Coffs Harbour
• Tamworth
• Dubbo
• Far West
• Illawarra
• Narooma
• Nowra
• Riverina
• Sydney

In addition to attending public community meetings, or if you are unable to attend, interested people and groups are encouraged to make a submission.

For more information on the Ministerial Taskforce on Aboriginal Affairs and how to make a submission please visit www.daa.nsw.gov.au/taskforce or call the Taskforce Secretariat on (02) 9219 0702. 

20-22 March 2012
NCOSS consultations in Deniliquin, Wagga Wagga and Albury

NCOSS visits different rural and regional locations across NSW each year and holds a number of community consultations to share information, discuss big picture issues and seek feedback about key local issues and potential solutions to address them.  In March 2012, NCOSS will visit Deniliquin, Wagga Wagga and Albury. The aim of the NCOSS Regional Visits is to:

• Gather information on critical social issues important to non-government organisations and disadvantaged people in regional, rural and remote areas to inform NCOSS policy and advocacy
• Inform NCOSS members and others of the work that NCOSS does; and
• Build relationships between NGO services providers and NCOSS and amongst NGO services providers.

Our consultations are aimed at workers, managers and board members of non-government not-for-profit human services. Community services workers in local government are also welcome. NCOSS advocates for the right to self determination, autonomy and representation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community services workers are encouraged to attend our consultations.

To register, please download the Registration and Feedback form and return it by 13 March 2012. For more information, contact Wendy Hall at NCOSS on 9211 2599, ext 118 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Download:  Registration and Feedback Form

The Forum of Non Government Agencies (FONGA) endorsed the final Charter for the NSW Community Sector at its meeting on 7 October 2011. 

The Charter has been prepared to define and communicate to other sectors of society (governments, business and the broader community) what the community sector is, and to raise awareness of its vital role and invaluable contribution to society.

The Charter promotes a unified community sector by presenting a shared identity, vision and values. It is intended to empower community organisations across NSW by providing a vehicle for asserting a strong collective voice, and in doing so, increase our influence towards achieving our vision of a fair and just society for all.

NCOSS has written to all FONGA members seeking their organisational endorsement of the Charter and agreement to use their logo in the published version. The document will be updated regularly to incorporate endorsing organisations' logos. 

Organisations in the sector are free to use the text of the Charter in their own work, provided that it is not altered and that the document is acknowledged as the work of FONGA and NCOSS.  Please contact Alison Peters, NCOSS Director, on 9211 2599 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

Download:  Charter for the NSW Community Sector

8/12/11

Fair Work Australia has found that community sector workers are underpaid on the basis of gender and is expected to make orders soon to increase pay rates for the sector.

NCOSS will be consulting with small, generalist community services in regional NSW in February 2012.

These consultations will provide essential background information on the Equal Pay Case , cover some of the likely implications and find out what your organisation needs from the NSW Government to assist with the implementation issues.

Managers and Management Committee members of small community service NGOs are invited to register their attendance at the consultations in Dubbo, Tamworth, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga, Ballina, Queanbeyan or Narooma.

Download: Flyer with dates, locations and registration information

Download: Project Brief

• 29-30 March 2012
• Australian Technology Park, Sydney

The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) are holding their annual Congress in Sydney next year. Early bird registrations are open now!

The ACOSS Annual Conference is a premier national event for policy-makers, researchers and those engaged in social services or advocacy. The conference theme for 2012 is ‘Sharing the wealth of the lucky country'. At a time when Australians' material wealth has been booming the ACOSS National Conference will provide a forum for a diverse range of Australians to discuss the policy and practice which will put equality in Australia at the forefront of public debate. With new research showing that the poorest of Australian households post tax income has been falling while the richest households continue to earn more, there are many questions about what can be done to ensure Australia remains fair and inclusive.

This event provides a unique opportunity to examine Australia from the perspective of the disadvantaged with sessions covering a wide range of issues including tax and welfare reform, workforce participation, the rising cost of living and improving health outcomes for low income people in Australia. The conference promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking two days, bringing together a host of distinguished speakers to deliberate on socially responsible policy and the future of the community services sector.

The ACOSS conference draws hundreds of delegates from community and welfare organisations, state, territory and Federal Government departments, tertiary institutions, business, unions and individuals with an interest in community issues and social justice.

To register: click here

The NSW Premier, Barry O’Farrell, addressed the 74th NCOSS AGM, held on 22 November. In his speech he highlighted his Government’s commitment to achieving the goals set out in the NSW 2021: A Plan to make NSW Number One which was released in September this year. The Premier spoke of the explicit targets set in NSW 2021 and his determination to achieve these, especially as they related to reducing levels of disadvantage.

Importantly, he spoke about the role for the community sector in achieving the goals that have been set. While recognising that there will always be a need for governments to directly deliver services, the Premier said that his Government recognised that NGOs are well placed to work with disadvantaged and vulnerable people particularly those who are disengaged from government and mainstream services and support.

He indicated that his Government wants to make the most of this capacity and is committed to working closely with NGOs saying that the Government doesn’t believe it always has all the ideas or the best ideas. The Premier noted that we will no doubt disagree from time to time but that our input about how we can together make a difference is valuable and valued.

The Premier told us that the NSW Government supports the principle of equal pay and that he personally welcomed the announcement by the Prime Minister that the Commonwealth would provide supplementation for their share of any increase awarded in the sector Equal Pay Case. He said he looked forward to further discussions about how all governments could ensure workers in the sector were paid fairly and in a sustainable way.

These comments are timely as NCOSS prepares to publicly release its Pre-Budget Submission (PBS) for 2012-13. The PBS has already been provided to the Premier and his Cabinet and to senior Government officials so that, as they begin the process of developing the next State Budget, they can take into account our views on where their priorities should be.

The PBS follows on from Vote 1 Fairness in NSW, our election platform, and seeks through its recommendations to ensure budgetary measures are adopted to enhance the lives of those in our communities who are the most vulnerable and marginalised.

As always, there are many issues that could have been reflected in our PBS. Through input from our networks and forums, NCOSS endeavours to highlight those issues that have the highest priority at this point in time.

Across a range of portfolios and the breadth of our interests the PBS, together with our other policy advocacy, seeks to turn the intent of NSW 2021 into concrete action that will make a real difference for those who are doing it tough.

The Premier, in concluding his address at the AGM, said his Cabinet colleagues and he would be listening to suggestions from NCOSS and heeding our advice as the Government looks to provide high quality and sustainable services that reduce disadvantage and ensure everyone has a fair go.  

Download: Address to the 74th NCOSS AGM by The Hon Barry O’Farrell M.P., Premier of NSW

Media Release 18 November 2011
We know that the community sector employs around 85% women, yet there is little knowledge about the gendered nature of senior management and board positions within Australia's vital community and social services sector.

The Australian Council of Social Service, YWCA Australia and Women on Boards, will today launch the Gender Audit of Charities and Community Services at the annual ACOSS Policy Forum, which should shed some light on the issue.

"We know that female representation at senior levels in organisations in general is a major issue. And yet, as we celebrate 100 years of International Women's Day this year, there is a significant gap in our understanding of the extent of female leadership in the female dominated community not-for-profit sector. This audit is an extremely important step to address that knowledge gap," said ACOSS CEO, Dr Cassandra Goldie.

"The UN Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women recognises the importance of women, on equal terms with men, participating in 'non-governmental organisations and associations concerned with the public and political life of the country'. But in Australia we have no data to enable us to measure whether the community sector is achieving this," Executive Director of YWCA, Dr Caroline Lambert said.

"This isn't only a fundamental issue of equality but it actually makes good business sense for organisations to have gender balance at all levels," Ruth Medd, Chair, Women on Boards, said.

"For instance the 2011 Reibey Institute report on ASX500 Women Leaders notes that ASX500 companies with women directors delivered an average return on investment over three years 6.7% higher than those without women directors. Companies with women directors delivered an average ROE over 5 years 8.7% higher than those without women directors. In 8 out of 10 sectors, companies with women directors demonstrate higher returns on investment than those without women directors.

"Other evidence examining the strength and scope of women's leadership in companies across the world points to the importance of organisations identifying gender diversity as a key priority. The McKinsey and Company 'Women Matters' report notes that CEO commitment and women's individual development programs plays a particularly important part of successful strategies.

"From the YWCA experience we know this to be the case. YWCA globally and nationally have quotas in place to ensure that young women are represented in the governance bodies of the organisation. Our experience demonstrates the importance of backing up quotas with culture-changing development programs, such as the Board Traineeships offered by the YWCA of Canberra and their Women out Front leadership program which provides women with a short-course on Director's duties and a forum to explore women's leadership style," Dr Lambert said.

"I encourage the whole community services sector to take part in this crucial audit, which promises to shape our vision for the future of gender diversity not only in our sector but also in Australian workplaces more generally," Dr Goldie concluded.

Media Contact: Fernando de Freitas 0419 626 155

The Gender Audit opens today and runs until 12 December with results to be released to coincide with International Women's Day on March 8, 2012

For further information visit the ACOSS website.

Click on the logo to go to the survey :

Housing costs make up the biggest share of household budgets across Australia accounting for 18 per cent of household spending on average. However, one in ten households across Australia and almost 300,000 households in New South Wales are in housing stress, paying more than 30 per cent of their income on housing costs.

Australians for Affordable Housing is a coalition of over 60 housing, welfare and community sector organisations established to highlight the problem of housing affordability in Australia and call on all levels of government to make sure that every Australian can find an affordable home.

Come along to the Australians for Affordable Housing New South Wales campaign launch at the Shelter NSW AGM, to hear more about the campaign, see how you can get involved and share your views on housing issues in New South Wales.

• When: 4pm, Thursday 24 November 2011
• Where: Training Room 1, Ground Floor, Labour Council Building, 377-383 Sussex St, Sydney
• RSVP: by Monday 21 November to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Download:  Flyer

For more information on the campaign visit www.housingstressed.org.au

You can also visit the campaign’s facebook page at www.facebook.com/housingstressed or visit our twitter address @housingstressed and tweet your experiences by using #housingstressed

The Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) has provided funding to National Disability Services (NDS), the Australian Services Union (ASU) and Jobs Australia to deliver information and education about the Equal Pay case and the modern SACS Award. These sessions are open to any NGO covered by the award, regardless of whether they receive funding from ADHC.

NCOSS would encourage NGOs, both staff, managers and boards to attend. 

Download:   Registration, dates and locations for information sessions

NCOSS, as part of its Workforce Development Project, will shortly be consulting with small to medium community services organisations regarding their needs for support to understand their responsibilities in relation to the equal pay case outcome, the modern Award and implementation.

For further information about the NCOSS Workforce Development project, please contact Catherine Mahony, Deputy Director Sector Development/Corporate Services at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

5 December 2011 

On 1 July 2010 the new NSW Associations Incorporation Act 2009 came into force. Is your organisation an Incorporated Association under NSW legislation? If yes, find out what the changes mean for your Board and your organisation.

Presented by Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS), in partnership with the Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH), this Good Governance Seminar is for board members and managers of human services associations. Priority will be given to those Associations funded by ADHC and Health.

Registration is open for the Good Governance Seminar, scheduled for Monday, 5 December at NCOSS, 66 Albion St, Surry Hills 2010.

Due to heavy demand, registrations have now closed 

Download: Flyer

A community delegation will converge on Canberra today to support the Federal Government's positive pathway towards community-based alternatives to immigration detention.

Chaired by the Refugee Council of Australia and involving 17 organisations representing millions of Australians the delegation will brief parliamentarians on best-practice community-based models to process asylum seekers.

RCOA chief executive officer Paul Power said the delegation strongly supported the Government's decision to pursue onshore processing of all asylum applications and alternatives to detention to people arriving by boat without a visa. Mr Power said the delegation was reaching out to the Government to help develop successful long-term community models.

"Our message to the Government is clear - we are ready to work with Government to build community support for successful community processing models."

The delegation is also calling for a greater focus on regional development, which Mr Power said "will do more than any other set of measures to address the insecurity that forces refugees and asylum seekers to engage people-smugglers in their efforts to find greater safety."

In addition to those participating in this delegation, "hundreds of organisations support a more compassionate approach", according to ACOSS Chief Executive, Cassandra Goldie.

In September ACOSS gathered support for community based arrangements from over 260 leading organisations and leading charities.

"It is misguided to be looking at off-shore solutions when the most effective, economical and humane method for processing asylum seekers is right here on our doorstep" she said.

Organisations who are part of this delegation include: Amnesty International Australia, Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, Australian Council of Social Service, Australian Council of Trade Unions, Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, Catalyst Australia Inc, ChilOut, Edmund Rice Centre, Executive Council of Australian Jewry, Federation of Ethnic Communities' Council of Australia, John Menadue, National Council of Churches in Australia, Oxfam Australia, Refugee Advice and Casework Service, Refugee Council of Australia, Uniting Church in Australia Assembly, Welcome to Australia.

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew Williams 0488 035 535

New research commissioned by Australians for Affordable Housing reveals that almost 300,000 NSW households are in housing stress. After paying for housing these households are at risk of financial hardship and poverty.

According to the research, some 180,000 renters in this state are in housing stress, representing 27% of renters. A further 112,000 home purchasers are in housing stress, representing 12% of home purchasers.

The report further strengthens the need for a clear plan, with numerical targets, to expand the supply of both social and affordable housing in NSW, as advocated by NCOSS.

Download:  Report Housing Costs Through the Roof: Australia's Housing Stress

The NSW Minister for Disability Services Andrew Constance officially launched the NSW Disability Network Forum on 20 September. NCOSS is providing secretariat support for the Forum which will be a strong coordinated voice for people with a disability, helping to shape government policy and guide improvements in the delivery of disability services. The Forum comprises peak non-government advocacy groups and will focus on people who use and rely on disability services - people with a disability, their families and carers.

Member organisations of the NSW Disability Network Forum

• Aboriginal Disability Network NSW
• Association of Blind Citizens of NSW
• Brain Injury Association NSW
• Citizen Advocacy Western Sydney
• Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS)
• DeafBlind Association NSW
• Deaf Society of NSW
• Institute For Family Advocacy
• Intellectual Disability Rights Service
• Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW
• NSW Consumer Advisory Group - Mental Health
• NSW Council for Intellectual Disability
• NSW Disability Advocacy Network
• Physical Disability Council of NSW
• People with Disability Australia
• Self Advocacy Sydney
• Positive Life NSW

More information:

• Minister Constance’s (ADHC) media release
• About the Forum

The NSW Disability Network Forum can be contacted through the NCOSS secretariat:

Christine Regan
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
phone: 02 92112599 ext 117

Val Kors (Wed – Fri)
email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
phone: 02 92112599 ext 123

 Photo: NSW Minister for Disability Services Andrew Constance speaking at the launch of the NSW Disability Network Forum