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.
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.
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August 2011
The Australian Community Sector Survey 2011 (ACSS) Volume 5 presents the findings of the ACOSS annual survey of community services in Queensland. The survey was conducted throughout November-December 2010 and covers the period from 1 July 2009 - 30 June 2010.
August 2011
The Australian Community Sector Survey 2011 (ACSS) Volume 6 presents the findings of the ACOSS annual survey of community services in SA. The survey was conducted throughout November-December 2010 and covers the period from 1 July 2009 - 30 June 2010.
August 2011
The Australian Community Sector Survey 2011 (ACSS) Volume 7 presents the findings of the ACOSS annual survey of community services in Tasmania. The survey was conducted throughout November-December 2010 and covers the period from 1 July 2009 - 30 June 2010.
August 2011
The Australian Community Sector Survey 2011 (ACSS) Volume 9 presents the findings of the ACOSS annual survey of community services in WA. The survey was conducted throughout November-December 2010 and covers the period from 1 July 2009 - 30 June 2010.
August 2011
The Australian Community Sector Survey 2011 (ACSS) Volume 8 presents the findings of the ACOSS annual survey of community services in Victoria. The survey was conducted throughout November-December 2010 and covers the period from 1 July 2009 - 30 June 2010.
August 2011
The Australian Community Sector Survey 2011 (ACSS) Volume 3 presents the findings of the ACOSS annual survey of community services in NSW. The survey was conducted throughout November-December 2010 and covers the period from 1 July 2009 - 30 June 2010.
August 2011
The Australian Community Sector Survey 2011 (ACSS) Volume 2 presents the findings of the ACOSS annual survey of community services in the ACT. The survey was conducted throughout November-December 2010 and covers the period from 1 July 2009 - 30 June 2010.
August 2011
The Southern Cross Climate Coalition (SCCC) is an alliance of the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, the Australian Council of Social Service and The Climate Institute. We are committed to reducing Australia's dependence on carbon pollution and promoting solutions to climate change.
The SCCC welcomes the Clean Energy Future package as a critical first step forward on climate change in Australia. The price on pollution and its complementary measures lay the foundation for reducing emissions and remaining competitive in the emerging global low pollution economy.
In November 2010 the SCCC outlined four foundations to drive a fair and inclusive transition to a low pollution economy. Here we present an assessment of the Clean Energy Future package against those foundations and against our April 2011 detailed policy platform for a low pollution economy.
August 2011
This submission is based on the COSS networks analyses of the implications of work valuation, workforce challenges, government contracting policies and funding arrangements, and the introduction of the modern award on community services in Australia.
THE EXTENT TO WHICH THE UNDERVALUATION OF WORK PERFORMED IN THE COMMUNITY SECTOR IS REFERABLE TO GENDER
Fair Work Australia's interim decision (16 May 2011)
1. The COSSes congratulate FWA on the finding that for employees in the community sector there is not equal remuneration for men and women workers for work of equal or comparable value by comparison with state and local government employment.
2. The COSSes agree with FWA that undervaluation of the work performed in the SACS-covered sector is the result of a combination of factors.
3. The COSSes agree with FWA's conclusion that employers in the community sector
...value the work of their employees and would like to attract and retain the best employees possible and reward them on a fair basis given the work they perform and wages paid in the community.
4. The COSSes urge FWA to set rates which properly value the work of the community sector. We consider this a necessary step towards resolving the gender related undervaluation that exists in the funding and contracting arrangements between governments and the sector.
5. FWA sought submissions from the parties on the extent to which we consider,
...wage rates in the SACS industry are lower than they would otherwise be because of gender considerations, including how the amount of the gender related undervaluation of the work of the classifications in the industry should be calculated and concrete estimates of that gender related undervaluation.
July 2011
This document is the COSS Network submission to the Senate Committee's Inquiry into the Commonwealth Government's administration of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). The submission is made with particular reference to the Inquiry Terms of Reference Item b on the consequences for patients of the deferral of listing medicines on the PBS. The COSS Network believes that the Government's decision will further increase the inequities in access to affordable healthcare for low income and disadvantaged Australians. We are also concerned about the long term financial impact on the health budget (Terms of Reference Item f) and the potential politicisation of the PBS process (Terms of Reference Item i).