NSW Government delivers nation-leading community service agreement

Thursday, 8 January 2026

Nearly a quarter of a million workers in NSW will benefit from greater job security as the Minns Labor Government enters a nation-leading agreement to provide secure jobs and longer-term funding certainty for the community services sector. 

The Government is delivering on its Secure Jobs and Funding Certainty election commitment through the signing of a new Community Services Funding Framework, and a complementary Community Service Jobs Compact. 

Under the Community Services Funding Framework, 7,800 organisations will benefit from a whole-of-government approach to funding community services, including default 5-year funding contracts. 

Under the Community Service Jobs Compact, funded organisations have pledged greater job security for their more than 240,000 workers. These workers provide essential frontline services to over one million vulnerable people in NSW, through family, domestic and sexual violence support, homelessness services, and child and family programs.

Under the former government, short-term contracts and funding uncertainty limited organisations’ ability to plan for the future, created significant administrative burden and led to job insecurity.

Greater funding certainty will improve providers’ capacity to plan, innovate as well as strengthen and retain their workforce. This landmark agreement will ensure effective providers can focus on helping vulnerable communities that are doing it tough. 

These reforms also deliver clear performance and outcome expectations with providers, ensuring taxpayer money is being used with accountability and transparency, and always for the benefit of the community.

Developed in consultation with the community sector, as well as the Australian Services Union (ASU) and key government funding agencies, the Funding Framework and Jobs Compact represent a landmark commitment to better jobs and long-term viability for high-quality community services. 

To learn more, visit the Secure Jobs and Funding Certainty for Community Services website.

Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said: 

“Every day, community sector workers show up for children, families, and vulnerable people across NSW. They deserve security of employment so they can keep doing their vital work with confidence. 

“This is the type of work where relationships matter – when there’s a revolving door of workers, outcomes are worse for everyone.

“Fundamentally, we’re giving more security to local community organisations so they can focus on what they do best – supporting the children, families and communities who need them the most.”

Department of Communities and Justice Secretary Michael Tidball said:

“These agreements mark an important step towards a more consistent, transparent and reliable community services system. The Framework provides clarity for providers and stability for workers, ensuring services can plan with confidence and focus on delivering the best outcomes for the communities they serve.

“DCJ looks forward to working side-by-side with the sector to implement the Framework and Jobs Compact, strengthening partnerships, supporting the workforce, and building a service system that endures and delivers for the people of NSW.”

Australian Services Union NSW/ACT Branch Secretary Angus McFarland said:

“The Australian Services Union welcomes this announcement from the NSW Government. A Jobs Compact for the community sector is the first of its kind in Australia. It sets clear expectations that NGOs provide more secure permanent work if they are receiving long term funding from Government. 

“This is important so that workers in essential frontline services can focus on delivering quality, stable supports for the communities they serve and not have to worry about their own job security. It will also help retain workers in this sector.”

NSW Council of Social Service Cara Varian said:

“Today’s announcement is a significant step forward for the people and organisations in the social service sector who provide vital and increasingly-needed social infrastructure for our communities. Secure jobs and funding certainty are essential if these services are to keep delivering for the more than one million people across NSW who rely on them each year.

“Five-year funding arrangements and consistent contracting practices will allow organisations to plan ahead, invest in their workforce, and focus on quality outcomes without the lingering uncertainty.

“NCOSS welcomes the NSW Government’s commitment to genuine collaboration with the sector, unions and service providers on this framework. Implemented well, these reforms can strengthen service viability, improve outcomes for communities, and ensure the social service sector is fit for the future.”