The Victorian Government’s 2025-26 Budget must prioritise the funding of critical services that support marginalised people and communities to flourish, Jesuit Social Services says.
The organisation’s recently published Victorian Pre-Budget Submission 2025-26 highlights that complex challenges such as housing insecurity, family violence and mental health problems compound current cost-of-living pressures and the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, in turn driving up demand for community service organisations and supports.
“We acknowledge that there are significant budgetary pressures on all levels of government at the moment, and that there are many competing demands on limited resources,” Jesuit Social Services chief executive Julie Edwards said.
“However, we are deeply concerned by funding cuts to services, including employment programs run by Jesuit Social Services that have demonstrated a significant reduction in crime.
“The result of this will be more marginalised people slipping through the cracks, and potentially putting more strain on our criminal justice systems and health systems.
“Every dollar spent on social services is a dollar spent on building a more equitable Victoria, one where everybody has the opportunity to reach their potential.”
In its submission, Jesuit Social Services calls for continued funding for the Jobs Victoria Mentors Service, which supports people with justice system involvement into employment.
Since July 2023, nearly 120 people have been supported into employment through this program.
“Crime and how to best respond to people who do get into trouble is, rightly, one of the most important issues in the state at the moment,” Ms Edwards said.
“Fewer than 10 per cent of people who’ve been supported into work by this program have re-offended within six months – substantially lower than the overall recidivism rate which is closer to 47 per cent. This demonstrates the vital role that services like ours play in supporting people onto positive pathways.
The organisation has made a number of recommendations to the Government in its submission.
“We know that early intervention and prevention are key to addressing the underlying causes of disadvantage, and that this Victorian budget is an opportunity to make targeted, evidence-informed investments that support stronger, more cohesive communities for us all,” Ms Edwards said.
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State Budget must prioritise funding of early intervention support to help Victorians to flourish (Jesuit Social Services)
