Fair sector funding and regulation
VCOSS plays a key role advocating for better and more secure funding, and fair and sensible regulation, for Victoria’s social sector.
This takes the form of public and private advocacy, and VCOSS participation in a series of official fora.
This page details some of the main elements of this funding and regulatory environment, and provides links to key documents and resources.
Social Services Regulator
The Social Services Regulator aims to strengthen protections for social services users, to safeguard people from harm, abuse and neglect.
Fair Jobs Code
The Victorian Government has released the Fair Jobs Code for the community services sector. Community services organisations that receive significant Victorian Government funding may be required to follow the code as a condition of that funding.
Service Agreement
The service agreement defines the contractual arrangements between organisations funded to deliver services in the community and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Department of Health, Adult Community and Further Education Board and Department of Health, who provide the funding.
The service agreement was developed through extensive consultation with the sector through the Service Agreement Working Group which comprises sector and departmental representatives. The sector consultation was led by VCOSS.
Funding indexation
The Victorian government applies a floating indexation rate for Community Services (as defined in the Victorian Fair Jobs Code for the Community Services Sector) calculated as follows: [(0.8 x AWRD Rate) + (0.2 x CPI Rate)], where:
- AWRD Rate means, in relation to a financial year, the percentage increase in the national minimum wage as determined under the Annual Wage Review Decision published by the Fair Work Commission for the applicable financial year; and
- CPI means, in relation to a financial year, the projected rate of Consumer Price Index provided in the State Budget Papers.
Community and Social Services Graduate Program
The Community and Social Services Graduate Program is open to people who have graduated within the last two years from a course related to community and social services. This could be at a Diploma, Bachelor or Master level.
All successful applicants in the Community and Social Services Graduate Program will participate in a 12-month learning and development opportunity. This will equip you will the skills and confidence to succeed in your new role.
VCOSS acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country, and we pay respect to Elders and Ancestors. Our business is conducted on sovereign, unceded Aboriginal land. The VCOSS offices are located on Wurundjeri Woiwurrung land in central Naarm.