Join ACOSS
Support ACOSS in developing sound policy and undertake effective advocacy on the needs of people affected by poverty, disadvantage and inequality, and to build a strong and sustainable community sector.
Poverty & Social Inclusion
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ACOSS has supported increases in payments for single pensioners
ACOSS has worked since inception to increase the participation of all people in our society, through our policy development and advocacy of social security and community services.
In recent years, these objectives have been embodied through social policy and research in the idea of ‘social inclusion'.
For example, the Australian government's work in the interests of social inclusion is primarily focused on participation in the labour market through employment. This is a central focus of efforts to redress the disadvantage faced by people on low incomes and so has also been a focus for ACOSS. However, like others involved in the community sector, we see economic participation through employment as one important facet of a broader approach to ensuring that all Australians can be included in society.
This includes single parents and families, young people, and older people, each of whom might be excluded from full time or ongoing employment for a range of reasons that should not require them to be excluded from society as well.
ACOSS work in the interests of social inclusion includes our ongoing advocacy and representation of the needs of social service clients; and of how to strengthen the not-for-profit community services sector.