Built for Tasmania's future
The community services industry is one of the state’s largest industries and one of the fastest growing. It employs more than 17,800 local workers and is supported by approximately 35,000 formal volunteers.
The Tasmanian Government recognises the invaluable role that community services organisations play in keeping Tasmanians supported, connected and healthy. And are committed to partnering with the community services organisations to improve outcomes for Tasmanians, to deliver a sustainable industry and a strong future workforce.
We work as a facilitator, regulator, partner and funder to support the industry in delivering programs and services, providing advice on government policy, and improving outcomes for Tasmanians.
The 10-year Tasmanian Community Services Industry Plan 2021-2031 provides a framework for the Tasmanian Government to work in partnership with the Tasmanian Council of Social Service and key stakeholders to support a sustainable, capable community services workforce.
The plan's vision is a connected community services industry that supports all Tasmanians to live a good life and enrich our state's social, cultural and economic wellbeing.
Support for the community services industry
The Tasmanian Government supports community organisations to provide effective support to vulnerable children, young people, individuals and families across Tasmania.
This is achieved through a range of programs and initiatives, including funded support programs, capacity building across government and the community and oversight of whole of government strategies.
We deliver a range of programs, and provide funding and support to community services peak bodies:
- carers
- family support services
- financial support services (including community kinship care)
- food relief and resilience
- emergency relief services
- gambling support services
- LGBITQA+
- Men’s Sheds
- multicultural
- Neighbourhood Houses
- older Tasmanians (including elder abuse prevention)
- personal and financial counselling services
- volunteers.
Tasmanian Council of Social Service
The Tasmanian Council of Social Service (TasCOSS) is the peak body for the community services industry in Tasmania. It represents and advocates on behalf of its members and the people they support, working to address poverty, inequality and social exclusion. It provides policy leadership, research, industry development and advocacy to inform government decision‑making and influence immediate and long-term solutions that change the trajectory on inequity.
The Tasmanian Council of Social Service also convenes the Tasmanian Coalition of Community Service Peaks, bringing together peak bodies across the industry to provide a collective voice on industry-wide sustainability issues and a forum for collaboration with the Tasmanian Government on shared community services priorities.
Community services funding review
A funding review of community services was established in 2023 to address three key government priorities aimed at supporting the sustainability of the community services sector:
- reviewing indexation
- progressing longer-term funding provision
- delivering an outcomes framework.
The review is focused on longer-term funding arrangements for community sector organisations. This will provide funding certainty, enabling organisations to operate with increased confidence, and engage in longer-term sustainable planning practices.