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Not For Profit and the budget


The recent budget focused on several social initiatives. In this article, we break down several pillars directly impacting the Not-for-Profit sector, disseminating the information for Not-for-Profit organisations working in the NDIS, social housing, and with vulnerable women.

The NDIS


The NDIS has been in the spotlight, and the Federal Government has committed an investment of $468M, the majority of which is to protect the scheme and ensure it remains a reliable safety net for Australians with disabilities.

Over four years, $45.5 million has been dedicated to establishing an NDIS Evidence Advisory Committee (NDIS EAC). This committee will provide independent advice on effective therapeutic support, ensuring that services are beneficial, evidence-based, and cost-effective. This initiative aims to mitigate ineffective therapies and optimise the value of funded support.

Over two years, $20 million will be invested in initial consultations and design work to assist people with disabilities in navigating services. This effort responds to challenges highlighted by the Independent NDIS Review and aims to develop a user-friendly service navigation model through close collaboration with the disability community.

$5.3 million in 2024-25 will support preliminary work to reform NDIS pricing arrangements. The goal is to enhance transparency, predictability, and price alignment. Future considerations include involving the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) to provide pricing advice based on recommendations from the Independent NDIS Review.

Legislative reforms and strategic actions are forecasted to moderate NDIS growth by $14.4 billion over the forward estimates despite a net cost increase of $1.5 billion since the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO). These measures aim to ensure the scheme’s long-term sustainability.

The Government is enhancing governance and advisory structures to support NDIS reforms. This includes creating the NDIS Implementation Advisory Committee and the NDIS Implementation Working Group, which will oversee and coordinate the implementation of reforms, ensuring collaboration across governments and agencies.

The budget statement clearly shows that the Federal Government is committed to improving outcomes for NDIS participants and ensuring that funding is directed to those in need. Involving people with disabilities in designing and implementing these reforms is central to maintaining the NDIS’s original intent.

Investment in housing


The lack of affordable housing is front page news most weeks. The impact of the housing shortage, particularly on disadvantaged Australias, is felt across the country, and the word “crisis” is not an exaggeration. In response, the budget is looking to address the challenges by:

Allocating $1 billion for crisis and transitional housing for women and children fleeing domestic violence and for young people under the National Housing Infrastructure Facility. This includes a substantial grant increase from $175 million to $700 million. An additional $1 billion will be provided to states and territories to expedite the construction of homes. This funding will cover essential infrastructure such as roads, sewers, energy, water, and community facilities, facilitating the development of new homes and social housing.

The Government will introduce a $9.3 billion five-year agreement with states and territories to combat homelessness, provide crisis support, and build and repair social housing. This includes doubling the Commonwealth’s annual homelessness funding to $400 million, matched by state and territory contributions.

These initiatives are part of a broader $25 billion investment in housing over the next decade, incorporating the Housing Australia Future Fund, the social housing accelerator, the new home bonus, the help-to-buy scheme, and the Commonwealth rent assistance package.

The Federal Government aims to build 1.2 million homes by the end of the decade. To achieve this, it focuses on increasing the construction workforce, with $90.6 million allocated to create 20,000 fee-free training places for construction workers.

Safety for women


Funding to support women’s safety and the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 will be increased.

The Leaving Violence program will be allocated $925.2 million over five years, providing financial support and services for up to 12 weeks for victim-survivors leaving violent intimate partner relationships. The National Legal Assistance Partnership will receive $44.1 million in 2024–25 to support Legal Aid Commissions, Community Legal Centres, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services. $19.4 million over two years will establish a National Student Ombudsman to eradicate gender-based violence in universities. $18.7 million over four years will create a code to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in higher education institutions.

$13.1 million will be directed towards programs like the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support program and aid for visa holders experiencing domestic and family violence. The First Nations Family Dispute Resolution Pilot will be allocated a further $11.7 million over two years, extending this pilot to provide culturally safe family dispute resolution service. The Age Assurance Pilot will receive $6.5 million in 2024-25 to protect children from harmful online content.

An additional $9.6 million is allocated over five years to support informed policy advice to end gender-based violence, including evidence building, the Office for Women Support, and the Prevention Approaches Review.

NFP organisations working in these sectors will welcome the additional funding and initiatives. However, we anticipate complex funding models and regulatory frameworks will apply.  Addressing additional layers of financial intricacy requires specialist expertise. Accounting For Good has a professional team of financial experts dedicated to the sector.  With our help, we can ensure that eligible NFPs can navigate these intricacies successfully, maximise their funding opportunities and continue to enhance their mission.

We offer various accounting services, including consultancy and outsourcing of your NFP’s financial department.

If your not-for-profit needs comprehensive, compassionate, and professional accounting and consultancy services, contact Accounting For Good today.

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