Monday, 19 January 2026

2026-27 ACT Budget Roundtable Consultations for Community Sector Organisations

Once again, to support strong and coordinated input from the community sector into the 2026-27 ACT Budget process, ACTCOSS is partnering with the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate (CMTEDD) to host a series of online roundtable discussions between the sector and Government. 

While ACTCOSS anticipates a relatively austere budget, these roundtables provide an opportunity for community sector leaders to: 

• Share your organisation’s top priorities directly with Treasury and other Government officials as they shape the next ACT Budget. 

• Introduce and socialise emerging budget bids early. Even if a proposal is unlikely to be funded this year, early advocacy helps build the case for future budgets. 

• Highlight the ongoing value of programs and services at risk of cessation, ensuring Treasury understands their impact and the community need. 

• Contribute to the collective meta-case that community services are a vital, evidence-based investment strengthening the ACT’s social and economic wellbeing. 

Over the past six months, ACTCOSS has encouraged earlier and more coordinated engagement in the budget cycle, and our shared advocacy is making a difference. So far, there are 11 submissions from ACTCOSS members published on the ACT budget consultation website, compared to just one or two the same time last year. 

Session Dates — Online Only

Session 1
Tuesday 24 February 2026
9:30am – 11:00am

Session 2
Wednesday 25 February 2026
10:30am – 11:30am

Session 3
Friday 27 February 2026
1:00pm – 2:00pm

Please note:

• These sessions are online only. There are no in-person sessions. 
• Please register for one session only, with one representative per organisation. 
• There are multiple sessions available, please check our training and events page for more detail.

Peer Networks

ACTCOSS facilitates peer networks to support our members and community to connect, share information and work together. We are currently setting meeting times and finalising our priorities and sessions for 2026. 

Networks include the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Sector Network, the Reconciliation Network, the Communications Network, the Justice Reform Group and Justice Network. 

Find out how join these networks on the ACTCOSS Peer Networks page here. 

Communications Network survey

The Communications Network (CommsNet) is now planning its activities for 2026. We are seeking views from anyone doing communications, marketing and engagement work in the ACT community sector. Fill in the survey here to have your say. 

SCHADS Alternative Award Structure - briefing sessions and submissions 

The COSS Network is holding briefing sessions to assist organisations engage in the Fair Work Commission's next round of consultation on the SCHADS Award Review. 

Session dates are: 

• Wednesday 21 January at 1pm (AEDT), delivered by NCOSS. Find out more here. 
• Thursday 22 January at 2pm (AEDT), delivered by VCOSS. Find out more here. 
• Wednesday 28 January at 10am (AEST) by QCOSS. Find out more here. 

You can read the Alternative Structure here.

Submissions should be made directly to the Fair Work Commission at [email protected].

Read our full State of the Sector report and our 2026-27 ACT budget priorities

In late 2025, ACTCOSS submitted its 2026-27 Budget priorities, informed by the results of the ACTCOSS State of the Sector report and consultation with member organisations and peak bodies.

ACTCOSS made 19 budget recommendations across five priority areas:

• Alleviating poverty and cost of living for low-income individuals and families;
• Valuing the community sector;
• Strengthening investment in social housing and homelessness services;
• Supporting self-determination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
• Improving transparency and accountability of the budget process.

Read the media release and the full documents here. 

New publication - Submission to the Australian Energy Regulator on Hardship Guidelines

ACTCOSS provided feedback to the Australian Energy Regulator on the question of improving payment assistance information. ACTCOSS also took the opportunity to offer our views on how the on AER’s Customer Hardship Policy Guideline could be further strengthened to better assist customers experiencing energy payment difficulties.

Read more here. 

ACTCOSS in the media

• 23 December 2025, 5:32 am, ABC Radio Canberra, ACTCOSS is warning a continued lack of investment in the sector will end up costing more. Read more here. 
  
  
• 23 December 2025, 6:02 am, ABC Radio Canberra, ACTCOSS is calling on the ACT Government to increase spending on measures supporting self-determination for Aboriginal people in Canberra. Read more here.
  
  
• 23 December 2025, 7:02 am, ABC Radio Canberra, A continued lack of investment in the sector from the Territory Government will end up costing the ACT budget more. Read more here. 
  
  
• 23 December 2025, 7:34 am, ABC Radio Canberra, ACTCOSS is calling on the territory government to increase spending on measures supporting self-determination for Aboriginal people in Canberra. Read more here. 
  
  
• 23 December 2025,9:03 am, ABC Radio Canberra, ACTCOSS is calling on the territory government to increase spending on measures supporting self-determination for Aboriginal people in Canberra. Read more here.
  
  
• 27 December 2025, 9:01 am, 2CC, ACTCOSS is continuing to push for government to increase investment into social infrastructure. Read more here. 
  
  
• 27 December 2025, 12:01 pm, 2CC, ACTCOSS submitted budget priorities making 19 recommendations across five priority areas. Read more here. 
  
  
• 28 December 2025, 8:02 am, 2CC, CEO of ACTCOSS says the ACT Government must handle its money in a different way. Read more here. 
  
  
• 28 December 2025, 11:01 am, 2CC, ACTCOSS believes investing in people earlier will help save money later. Read more here. 
  
  
• 14 January 2026, Canberra Daily, The year ahead: Dr Devin Bowles. Read more here. 

Information Session: Avoiding Digital Disaster

Date:  Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Time: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Register here!

Introductory Grant Writing Workshop

Date:  Thursday, 5 March 2026
Time: 9:30AM to 4:30 PM
Location: In person, Weston Community Hub, 1/6 Gritten Street, Weston ACT
Cost: Paid
Register here!

Information Session: When a Cost Benefit Analysis Might Just Do the Trick

Date:  Thursday, 19 March 2026
Time: 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Register here!

ACOSS Media Release: ACOSS condemns acts that discriminate against communities based on faith, race, culture or identity

There is no place in our parliament for divisive tactics, inflammatory rhetoric or actions that demean and vilify marginalised communities, based on their faith, race, culture or identity, such as the conduct seen in the Federal Parliament yesterday.

Read the media release here.

2025 I-Day Declaration: Welcoming Community

Join your name to the2025 I-Day Declaration : A shared statement of values and intent following International Day of People with Disability 2025

To sign on, please go to the online signing platform here: https://www.advocacyforinclusion.org/2025-i-day-declaration/ 

Free training: Confidence in Conversations with People Impacted by Gambling

Lifeline Canberra is offering two training sessions for community and primary health workers to support clients impacted by gambling harm – whether from their own gambling or someone else’s. 

The half-day training covers:

• Effective communication
• Understanding gambling harm
• Self awareness, care and compassion
• How to recognise, respond and refer individuals to gambling supports.

Session 1
Date: Monday 23 February 2026                            
Time: 9:00AM to 1:00 PM          

Session 2                          
Date: Thursday 7 May 2026
Time: 1:00PM to 5:00PM

Location: Ground floor, 480 Northbourne Avenue, Dickson
Cost: Free Register here!

Free training on compassion-based approaches to suicide prevention 

The Mental Health Community Coalition ACT (MHCC ACT) is proud to be delivering the Connecting with People suicide prevention framework and training to equip professionals and community members with the tools to provide person-centred support to people experiencing suicidal distress. 

This free training is for people working in community service roles—whether paid or volunteer—who regularly deal with distress and support others through housing, food security, disability, AOD, childcare, financial counselling, domestic violence services, and other social services.

Find out more and register for the free training here. 

ACTCOSS is participating in asterisked consultation processes below.

Please contact us at [email protected] if you would like to discuss or contribute to the consultation process.

ACT Government Consultations

Provide feedback to the ACT Government as it plans, develop and consult on policies and projects. Add your voice to conversations shaping the decisions affecting you and your community. 

• Online submissions in the 2026-27 Budget context are always open. Read more and have your say here. *
  
  

• Inquiry into the Family, Personal and Sexual Violence Legislation Amendment Bill 2025, Standing Committee on Legal Affairs, submissions close 6 February 2026. Read more and have your say here.
  

• Inquiry into Canberra's Night-Time Economy, Standing Committee on Economics, Recreation and Industry, submissions close 27 February 2026. Read more and have your say here. 
  
  
• Inquiry into Endometriosis and other pelvic pain, Standing Committee on Social Policy, ACT Legislative Assembly, submissions close 3 April 2026. Read more and have your say here.

More opportunities for consultation can be found on the YourSay or the inquiries page on the ACT Legislative Assembly websites.

Commonwealth Government Consultations

• Aged Care Rules 2025 and the Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Rules 2025, Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs, submissions close 23 January 2026. Read more and have your say here.
   
• Inquiry into the operation of the migration-related provisions in the Administrative Review Tribunal Bill 2024 (Cth) and the Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No 1) Bill 2024 (Cth), Administrative Review Council, submissions close on 27 January 2026. Read more and have your say here. 
  
  
• Inquiry into the relationship between domestic, family and sexual violence and suicide, Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, submissions close 30 January 2026. Read more and have your say here. 
  
  
• National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Integrity and Safeguarding) Bill 2025, Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs, submissions close 6 February 2026. Read more and have your say here. 
  
  
• Inquiry into the continuing operation of the National Redress Scheme, Joint Standing Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme, submissions close 6 February 2026. Read more and have your say here. 
  
  

• Transition of the Commonwealth Home Support Program to the Support at Home Program, Community Affairs References Committee, submissions close 15 April 2026. Read more and have your say here.
  
  

• Support at Home Program, Community Affairs References Committee, submissions close 31 July 2026. Read more and have your say here.

Keep an eye on the Parliament of Australia's website for a list of all current Senate, House and Joint Committee inquiries accepting public submissions.

Funding to promote connections for LGBTIQA+ people

This grant supports community focused projects. The goal is to create a sense of community and belonging for LGBTIQA+ people.

Applications open until: 11:59 PM, 18 January 2026.

Click here for more information. 

Funding and support to help older Canberrans stay connected

This grant is for projects that promote older Canberrans as valued members of the local community. Projects should help older Canberrans participate in community life. Projects can address:

• elder abuse
• enhanced social inclusion
• the diverse needs of older members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Applications open until: 3:00 PM, 27 January 2026.

Click here for more information. 

UPSTAGEING Community Grants

Local organisations, neighbourhood groups and creative community members are invited to take part in UPSTAGEING Canberra, our first large-scale Creative Ageing Arts Festival, launching in March 2026.

Proudly presented by COTA ACT, the festival celebrates the bold, brilliant and diverse creative expression of older Canberrans

Applications open until: Thursday 29 January 2026.

Click here for more information. 

Generously sponsored by Arcare Aged Care.

Canberra Citizen of the Year

The Canberra Citizen of the Year Award recognises people who have made a large contribution to the Canberra community.

If you know of someone in our community who inspires you, we encourage you to submit a nomination.

Applications open until: Friday, 30 January 2026.

Click here for more information. 

Establish a new children’s mental health and wellbeing hub

This grant provides funding of up to $2.45 million for one or more organisations to establish a new service. This service will provide mental health and wellbeing supports to children aged 0-12, as well as their families, carers, and kin. This service will provide support for mild, moderate, and emerging mental health concerns.

Applications open until: 4:00 PM, Tuesday 3 February 2026.

Click here for more information. 

ACT Chief Minister's Canberra Gold Awards

The Chief Minister’s Canberra Gold Awards celebrate people and groups who have made Canberra their long-term home. The awards recognise the contributions made by people who have been in Canberra for 50 years or more. 

Applications open until: Friday, 13 February 2026.

Click here for more information. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Grant Program

1. Cultural Grants: designed to promote, preserve, and celebrate culture, while creating a culturally safe Canberra. 

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals can apply for grants up to $5,000.
• Organisations can apply for funding up to $10,000
• https://dhcs.smartygrants.com.au/2526ACG

2. Leadership and Lifelong Learning Grants: designed to assist with equipping our leaders to drive self-determination and positive outcomes. Support continual learning journeys.

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals can apply for grants up to $5,000.
• Organisations can apply for funding up to $10,000
• https://dhcs.smartygrants.com.au/2526ALG

3. Social Participation Grants: designed to support a strong and vibrant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community that encourages participation and belonging.

• Open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals only
• Individuals can apply for up to $500.
• https://dhcs.smartygrants.com.au/2526ASG

Applications open until: 3:00 PM, Thursday 19 February 2026

Read the grant guidelines here. 

Affordable Community Housing Land Tax Exemption Scheme Grant Program

This grant program provides a total of $500,000 over 4 years to help community housing providers (CHPs) manage and expand affordable rentals under the scheme.

The program also contributes to increasing affordable rental homes in the ACT as part of the broader work to grow affordable housing supply.

Applications open until: 2:00 PM, 2 March 2026

Click here for more information. 

Communities Climate Action Grants Program

The Program will consider projects that:

1. support diverse social groups to take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
2. support diverse social groups to become climate ready by increasing adaptation measures to climate change impacts
3. report on community reach, awareness, and subsequent action as a result of the project.

Applications open until: 12:00 AM, Sunday 15 March 2026

Click here for more information. 

Funding to support Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations

This grant aims to support new and existing ACT ACCOs to build organisational capacity and capability to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Canberra. This grant is for ACCOs who provide culturally appropriate human services to the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Applications open until: 3:00 PM, 30 June 2026

Click here for more information.

Gambling Harm Prevention & Mitigation Fund

This grant is for activities and initiatives to help prevent and reduce gambling harm in the ACT community. These activities are led by local community organisations and individuals. 

Applications currently open. 

Click here for more information. 

26 JANUARY 1788 — INVASION DAY 
Marks the day the First Fleet arrived at Port Jackson. Aboriginal groups in the Sydney region are the first to experience colonisation by the British.

26 JANUARY 1938 — DAY OF MOURNING
On Australia's celebration of the 150th anniversary of the landing of the First Fleet, the Aborigines Progressive Association declares a ‘Day of Mourning’.

26 JANUARY 1972 — TENT EMBASSY
The Aboriginal Embassy is established on the lawns in front of Parliament House, Canberra. In 1995 the embassy was listed on the Register of the National Estate; the only site on the Register noted as important due to its political significance to Indigenous Australians. 

26 JANUARY 1976 — LAND RIGHTS ACT
The Aboriginal Land Rights Act (Northern Territory) comes into force - the first attempt by an Australian government to legally recognise the Aboriginal system of land ownership. Significant amendments have been made since then.

26 JANUARY 1976 — BICENTENNIAL
Over 40,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their supporters march in protest through Sydney during Australia's bicentennial celebrations.

• Aged Care reform: how effective so far? Discussion Paper, National Aged Care Alliance, 27 November 2025. Click here. 

• No child left behind: report into the Thriving Kids initiative, House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability, 22 December 2025. Click here. 

• Australia’s multi‑provider social housing system: contest or growth?, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, 9 January 2026. Click here. 

• Employment Services in Australia, Working Women Alliance, 12 January 2026. Click here. 

(Research and reports are presented as of interest to members and are not necessarily endorsed by ACTCOSS.)                                                                                      

Advertising in eNotices: Do you have a conference, training course, fundraising function or other event that you'd like to advertise in eNotices? For a small fee we can include events relevant to the community sector. Spaces are limited. Visit our website or contact [email protected] for more information. Free events do not incur a fee.

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Authorised by Dr Devin Bowles for the ACT Council of Social Service Inc

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