ACOSS Reports & Submissions
Each year ACOSS prepares numerous submissions to the Federal Government. We also undertake research and produce reports on policy areas that impact disadvantaged Australians. The latest ACOSS submissions and topical papers appear below as downloadable links.
Most recent papers
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.
February 2010
Inquiry into the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Welfare Reform and Reinstatement of the Racial Discrimination Act) Bill 2009 and related bills.
ACOSS, along with our membership, have very serious concerns about the provisions in the Government bills being considered by the Committee due to their potential impact on low income Australians. The national compulsory income scheme which would be enabled by this legislation represents a top-down, one-size-fits-all, bureaucratic solution to complex social problems facing individuals and local communities. It is poorly targeted and expensive and will inflict shame and indignity on income support recipients.
February 2010
Submission to Senate Community Affairs Committee
In this submission ACOSS argues that the proposed extension of compulsory income management to affected income support recipients across the country would represent a major shift in Australian social security policy. In a clear extension beyond the proper role of the social security system, the proposed scheme would impose an unprecedented degree of behavioural control. It would be expensive, intrusive and unnecessary. ACOSS is concerned that the scheme is likely to make the lives of income support recipients more difficult and less dignified - constraining income support recipients' choices, imposing a considerable administrative burden and removing autonomy over individual finances.
ACOSS calls for the withdrawal of the compulsory income management provisions in the Welfare Reform Bill . We offer an alternative approach to reduce poverty and social exclusion, including adequate income support payments, improved employment assistance for long-term unemployed people, paid work experience, enhanced support services and voluntary income management, on an individual or community-basis.
January 2010
This joint submission from the Councils of Social Service network is in response to the Commonwealth Government's Exposure Draft Healthcare Identifiers Bill 2010. The submission outlines some key issues of principle that are important in establishing identifiers in the new e-health system and addresses some specific aspects of the draft Bill.
Key issues for consumers that are raised in this submission include access to healthcare services and benefits; privacy of personal information and data; consumer choice and control over personal information and healthcare identifier records; consultation and engagement on both the healthcare identifiers and the broader e-health system; and the transparency and accountability of the e-health system.
December 2009
The Federal Government should immediately halt its plans to expand compulsory income management across Australia, and instead redirect funding to programs that address social problems and disadvantage.
As community organisations working to reduce poverty and social disadvantage, we call on the Government to withdraw the compulsory income management provisions of the Welfare Reform and Reinstatement of Racial Discrimination Act Bill 2009.
November 2009
This submission responds broadly to many of the issues raised in the review’s Discussion Paper, with a focus on the relationship between the public service and community organisations and their clients. ACOSS has taken this opportunity to discuss some of the key issues facing our members and their clients in this regard; and based on our extensive experience working with Australian government administration.
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
While Australia’s family payment system is mostly well targeted and are relatively effective in keeping families out of poverty by assisting with the costs of children, ACOSS has proposed key changes that would reduce disadvantage among families earning less than $40,000.
