The Catholic Social Services Australia National Conference in Sydney next month will bring together Catholic religious leaders, academics, practitioners and advocates from across Australia under the theme “Hope in Action”.
The conference will take place on March 19-20 at the Commonwealth Bank Head Office, 11 Harbour Street, Darling Harbour.
Conference speakers include David Gilchrist, director of the University of Western Australia Centre for Public Value, whose pioneering research on sustainable social services examines the critical challenges posed by poor service pricing and funding indexation as a barrier to success in the sector.
At the conference, Professor Gilchrist will release a new report on the real cost of government funding shortfalls impacting social service providers across Australia.
His presentation will spotlight the key cost pressures threatening the sector’s ability to deliver sustainable support to vulnerable Australians.
Jerry Nockles, CSSA executive director said: “For a long time, government funding and indexation models have fallen short of key economic and environmental factors – perhaps unintentionally – but with significant consequences for sustainable social services upon which Australia’s most vulnerable people rely.
“A properly resourced social services sector is a critical element in building an equitable Australia,” Dr Nockles said. “We are thrilled to have Professor David Gilchrist share his expertise and insights for a fairer, holistic and sustainable approach to funding”.
CSSA chair and Marist 108 chief executive Peter Monaghan added: “Many social services organisations across Australia are grappling with the growing challenge of delivering more support with fewer resources.
“This is a critical moment to address the systemic issues undermining the sector’s sustainability. Our collaboration with the University of Western Australia represents an important step toward understanding how we can future-proof the social services sector.”
Details: CSSA National Conference.
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Hope in Action National CSSA Conference 2025 to Forge Sustainable Solutions for the Common Good (CSSA)
