March 2010
ACOSS analysis and priorities for advocacy
This analysis has been prepared for the benefit of national, affiliate and associate members of ACOSS; for the Councils of Social Service in each state and territory; and for their members. It provides an overview of the Productivity Commission's recent report on the not-for-profit sector and sets out ACOSS priorities for future advocacy in this area. ACOSS invites comments and input on these priorities from our colleagues and members in the sector.
March 2010
In February 2010 ACOSS consulted its members about the development and introduction of a standard chart of accounts, a tool for reporting financial information to governments across the country. We consulted with our national member organisations (NMO); the Councils of Social Service in each state and territory; and COSS members at the state and territory levels. This is the report of that consultation that was provided to COAG.
February 2010
In February 2010 ACOSS was invited to consult on the national standard chart of accounts (SCoA). The deadline for consultation was 10 March which did not leave much time for detailed engagement with our members. This document is intended as a resource both for the consultation process and for the sector more generally to understand the SCoA and its implementation. We provide basic information to our members about the SCoA's contents and purposes; its implementation; and we invite input into the consultation through a set of questions about the design, implementation and usefulness of the SCoA. Comments for the formal consultation with government must be received at ACOSS by 5 March. However we will continue to welcome feedback from our membership and to engage with government on the SCoA beyond this timeframe.
November 2009
This submission addressed some of the key recommendations made in the Productivity Commission's draft report on the contribution of the not-for-profit sector. It builds on the extensive consultation and submission ACOSS made to the Inquiry and highlights key issues including the importance of policy development and advocacy to strong and vibrant community services, and the need for regulation and reform of the sector to improve its capacity and effectiveness.
November 2009
In this submission to the Australian Workforce Development Strategy underway by Skills Australia, ACOSS argues that social policy is a vital context for workforce development and sustainability and must not be ignored within strategies to address future issues.
July 2009
This is a joint submission by the Councils of Social Service across Australia to the Australian Industrial Relation Commission’s Award Modernisation process. The submission highlights the significant pay inequity faced by workers in the not-for-profit social and community sector and argues that the sector must be given time and support to ensure that award modernisation achieves improved outcomes for its workforce.
June 2009
This submission is based on widespread consultation with ACOSS membership about the scope and scale of issues facing the community service and welfare sectors engaged in non-profit work. Like the Not for Profit sector generally, the community services and welfare sector is heterogeneous, ranging from small unincorporated groups with no paid staff and minimal income to large organisations with multi-million dollar budgets and hundreds of employees. Yet some key issues stand out. We need better balance and understanding in the relationships between community and welfare organisations and government to ensure that the needs of low income and disadvantaged communities are best met through the research, policy and service delivery of the sector. We also need reform of the regulation, contracting, performance monitoring and research in the sector to enhance the effectiveness of current service provision; and to create innovation and capacity building to develop our responsiveness to future increased need.
September 2008
Senate Economics Committee Inquiry into the disclosure regimes for charities and not-for-profit organisations.
ACOSS welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this historic inquiry - the first inquiry by the Australian Parliament into the unique needs of the Non Profit Sector (the Sector).
This submission focuses on two policy priorities arising from the inquiry terms of reference that are of particular relevance to non profit organisations operating in the community services and welfare sector:
1. Developing regulatory and legal frameworks that support the Non Profit Sector to thrive; and
2. Improving the operating environment for the Non Profit Sector by providing better financial regulation and oversight.
August 2008
The Not-for-Profit Sector is a vital part of Australia's civic, social, economic and environmental life. The Sector provides a broad range of services and opportunities to Australians, including essential community services, culture and recreation, representation and advocacy.The Not-for-Profit Sector and the Commonwealth Government are exploring ways to develop a new and stronger relationship with each other, based on partnership and respect. The Government has asked the Australian Council of Social Service to consult Not-for-Profit organisations, and the people who use them, about a compact and prepare a report for the Government and the Sector.
January 2006
This discussion paper provides further information about charities law and definition to community organisations. The partners in this project - Jobs Australia, VCOSS and ACOSS - believe that the legal and administrative framework governing charities needs to be better understood by our sector and that the framework needs to be reformed.
