Author Archives: Dev Mukherjee

Nov 20

Community services are the future of work

Community services...These jobs require a human touch, and cannot be automated.

Nov 18

Fair funding for community services

Community services are continually frustrated by short-term funding contracts.

Oct 12

Introducing the 10-Year Community Services Industry Plan

Unemployment, under-employment and stagnant wages are often in the headlines. One solution that is regularly pitched for these issues is

Apr 10

Demystifying the social economy

Is social enterprise investing the same as impact investing, and what are social impact bonds?

Feb 8

Waive fees for high-growth community service qualifications

Victoria is facing a growing dearth of disability and aged care workers. Waiving fees for entry level VET courses would help plug

Dec 15

High expectations and meaningful career advice

Recognising the community sector as an employer can help young people understand and explore the wide range of career options

Aug 23

A growing industry

The Victorian community sector is large and complex. It comprises many thousands of organisations providing a wide range of services

May 5

Revenue

Strong growth in revenue has allowed the Victorian government to cut payroll tax and stamp duty for first home buyers

May 3

Community sector and social cohesion

Funding to develop an Aboriginal treaty, a LGBTI inclusive Victoria and implementing the state's multicultural policy are positive investments to

Aug 25

Why you should care about increased “competition” in social services.

Competition in the delivery of social services isn't entirely new. So why are alarms bells sounding in some quarters?

Aug 12

More Than Charity

Victoria’s community sector charities work to support and connect people, strengthen communities and advocate for a fair and just society. More than

Jun 9

A more accountable Victoria

VCOSS supports Victorian government reforms aimed to improve the state's accountability and integrity system, but urges they be further considered

Apr 29

Generate adequate revenue to fulfil community aspirations

The 2016 Victorian Budget projects substantial surpluses over the next four years. This is driven by revenue rising faster than expenditure

Apr 28

Strengthen community organisations to help people fulfil their potential

The decline in real funding for community organisations continues, while funding for community sector wage rises incurred as a result

Improve the lives of people with disability and carers

The NDIS is a chance to improve the lives of people with disability, however, is a major change in the

Mar 17

Planning infrastructure for quality of life and reducing disadvantage

Responding to population growth and change, reducing disadvantage and enabling workforce participation will strengthen a 30-year infrastructure strategy for Victoria,

Jan 8

Unleashing the power of communities: A social innovation fund for place-based initiatives

VCOSS recently published its 2016-17 State Budget Submission: Putting people back in the picture. The state budget submission proposes the

Dec 10

The revised Service Agreement for the Victorian Community Sector 2015-2019

The Service Agreement is used as a standard agreement for the contracting of services from the community sector by the

Nov 16

NDIS Information, Linkages and Capacity Building Framework: the next steps

On 16 September 2015, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Premier Daniel Andrews signed the bilateral agreement outlining the rollout of

Nov 13

A thriving community sector free to advocate for our communities

Freedom of voice, organisational autonomy and financial independence are three fundamental elements for an independent community sector, a joint ACTCOSS

Sep 2

Inquiry into the Portability of Long Service Leave entitlements

The Economic, Education, Jobs and Skills Committee of the Victorian Parliament is inquiring into the portability of long service leave

Jun 9

Setting Victorian Energy Efficiency Targets

A low-income energy efficiency program that complements and works with the VEET scheme, in addition to other measures within VEET,

May 22

Community organisations in a climate of change – Complete set

May 8

2015-16 State Budget Snapshot: Strengthening the community sector to help people thrive

VCOSS welcomes the funding certainty provided to community sector organisations in the 2015-16 Victorian State Budget. The state government has

Apr 1

Building a Victoria without poverty: Tackling unemployment

Victoria’s unemployment and youth unemployment rates are at their highest levels in decades. In late 2014 the State’s unemployment rate