The ACT Government has today announced a significant pre-budget investment to support the Territory's vital community sector, with a focus on cost and sustainability pressures facing community services organisations.
As part of the 2025-26 ACT Budget, the Government will provide a $10 million funding boost over two years (2025-26 and 2026-27) for eligible community services sector partners. This investment recognises the increasing demand and cost pressures faced by community organisations that deliver essential services to Canberrans every day.
Approximately 150 organisations across Canberra are eligible to receive part of this funding boost. To qualify, organisations must be providing services under multi-year funding agreements with ACT Government that receive Community Sector Indexation (CSI). The ACT Government is currently working through a detailed approach to ensure the funding is distributed in a fiscally responsible and fair manner, providing the greatest assurance to community services providers and addressing needs identifying through previous sector sustainability work.
The two-year funding boost is separate from and additional to annual indexation applied to eligible funding agreements, which is set at 3.35% for 2025-26.
Treasurer Chris Steel said the pre-budget announcement reflects the ACT Government's values and its commitment to social equity.
"This announcement delivers on our commitment to further support the community organisations that deliver the community services that Canberrans need," Minister Steel said.
"The sustainability of our community sector is of shared importance for our growing city and the wellbeing we want for our population.
"These pre-budget measures reaffirm the ACT Government's commitment to a strong, inclusive, and resilient community sector."
Minister for Disability, Carers and Community Services Suzanne Orr said the measures represent a strong show of support for the community sector and the people it serves.
"We know the community sector is facing increasing pressure from rising costs and growing demand. This funding will help ease those pressures so organisations can continue delivering the services that many Canberrans rely on while government and sector continue to work together to ensure we have the policy and funding settings we need for a sustainable sector and the right supports for our community," Minister Orr said.
Quote attributable to ACTCOSS CEO Dr Devin Bowles
"ACTCOSS is very pleased with the $10 million additional investment in the Canberra community that the Government announced today.
"The Government's investment will enable the continuation of many of the vital services that Canberrans expect the community sector to keep delivering.
"This investment is the good faith signal that the Government recognises the importance of the sustainability of the community sector.
"ACTCOSS looks forward to continuing to work with the Government to ensure that future funding accurately reflects the true cost of delivering essential services to Canberrans."
