Financial pressures on not-for-profit social services have become untenable, with Australia’s most vulnerable people bearing the brunt of chronic underfunding, according to a new report commissioned by Catholic Social Services Australia.
The Real Costs, Real Impacts: A Path to Social Services Sustainability report, produced by David Gilchrist and Ben Perks from the University of Western Australia’s Centre for Public Value, provides compelling evidence of the growing crisis in social services sustainability.
CSSA executive director Jerry Nockles said the report’s findings must serve as a wake-up call for all political parties contesting the upcoming federal election.
“Our network of member organisations spans the length and breadth of Australia. working tirelessly to support individuals. strengthen families. and build resilient communities” Dr Nockles said.
“However, the growing disparity between allocated resources and the actual costs of delivering quality services has reached breaking point.
“The consequences of this funding shortfall aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet – they represent real lives, real struggles, and diminishing opportunities for transformation.
“Each statistic tells the story of an organisation forced to do more with less. while vulnerable Australians become the shock absorbers of a failing system.”
Professor Gilchrist warns that the situation has become critical.
“Not-for-profit social services have been under severe pressure for too long. The comprehensive cost of service delivery is increasing significantly, while the lack of sustainability directly impacts the reliability of services to the most vulnerable people in Australia,” Professor Gilchrist said.
Dr Nockles emphasised that in the context of the federal Election, all parties must address these critical issues.
“The data and analysis presented in this report provide irrefutable evidence of the financial pressures faced by service providers and the dire consequences of continued underfunding. We’re calling on all political parties to commit to implementing the report’s recommendations as a matter of urgency,” he said.
Details: Real Costs, Real Impacts: A Path to Social Services Sustainability
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