Catholic organisations have praised aspects of the federal budget, welcoming continued investment in foreign aid as well as measures that prioritise aged care, youth homelessness and end-of-life care, but raised concerns about NDIS reforms and missed opportunities to address family violence.
Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) acknowledges the Government’s efforts to pursue a fiscally responsible budget focused on resilience and reform, a necessary step to control inflation and protect those who can least afford rising living costs.
“In a time of global uncertainty and economic shocks, this budget takes important steps to build resilience and reform the economy, but more targeted support is needed to ensure no one is left behind. Total savings of $63.8 billion is ambitious and commendable,” CSSA chief executive Dr Jerry Nockles said.
CSSA acknowledgesd the government’s efforts to deliver a fiscally responsible budget aimed at resilience and reform, particularly welcoming the $60 million Youth Housing Supplement and the $2 billion Local Infrastructure Fund to support housing supply.
However, CSSA said the budget has missed opportunities to address domestic, family, and sexual violence and government’s National Disability Insurance Scheme reforms, which will see 160,000 people removed from the scheme to save $37 billion.
Carmel Sefian, CSSA director of policy and advocacy, said: “For many, losing NDIS support means losing essential assistance that enable daily living, communication, work, learning, and social connection.”
Catholic Health Australia has backed the Albanese Government’s investment in aged care, including faster access to Support at Home packages which are essential to bring down the wait list for those needing care.
“The expansion of Support at Home packages is essential and tonight’s investment in accelerating packages is a good start, CHA’s director of aged care, Alex Lynch, said last night.
“We have been calling for 60,000 additional packages to prevent 200,000 older Australians being left without care by mid-2027. Every additional package funded means someone’s parent or grandparent getting the support they need to age at home with dignity.
CHA said it appreciated the Government’s response to its call to increase the Accommodation Supplement and is pleased to see the significant investment of $1.1 billion for this measure.
“Providers caring for the most vulnerable older Australians have been doing it incredibly tough,” Mr Lynch said. “Accommodation funding simply hasn’t been covering the cost of maintaining buildings and keeping facilities safe and comfortable. This uplift will help protect access to care while broader pricing reform is finalised.”
CHA also offered its support for the pre-budget decision to move personal care services, including showering, dressing and continence care, into the clinical care category, making them free of charge from October 1, which the sector more broadly had called for.
CHA welcomed funding to extend the “End of Life pathway” for older Australians undergoing palliative care at home who live beyond their initial funding period, as well as the $59.4 million boost to help young Australians out of homelessness through a new payment to help them access community housing.
Meanwhile, Caritas Australia welcomed the Government’s investment in international aid in the budget
The budget commits $5.2 billion in Overseas Development Assistance in 2026–27, representing a modest increase of $112 million compared to the previous year, helping maintain Australia’s support at a time when many global donors are scaling back.
Caritas Australia chief executive Kirsten Sayers said the commitment comes at a critical moment, with global humanitarian needs continuing to rise sharply while aid budgets are under pressure internationally.
FULL STORY
Progress and pitfalls 2026 Budget’s impact on housing, disability and domestic violence support (Catholic Social Services Australia)
Budget delivers for older Australians, homeless youth and end-of-life care: CHA (CHA)
Caritas Australia welcomes continued aid investment in federal budget (Caritas Australia)
