About VCOSS

We work tirelessly for the total elimination of poverty across Victoria.

Poverty destroys hope and erodes opportunity. It hurts people’s mental and physical health, entrenches inequality and hinders children’s emotional, physical and mental development.

Right now, roughly 800,000 Victorians — including over 215,000 kids — are living in poverty.

But poverty is a choice.

As a society, we choose to tolerate or exacerbate poverty. We do this by the decisions we make (or avoid making) and the policies and programs our governments decide to fund (or not fund).

The opposite is also true.

We have the power to make better choices.

We can free people from poverty.

Poverty can be eliminated.

Change is possible. We choose to have poverty. We can choose to eliminate poverty.

VCOSS works at all levels to support people harmed by disadvantage, and to eliminate poverty.

This involves amplifying the voices of people with first-hand experience of poverty, delivering projects directly into communities and targeted policy development and advocacy.

Heat or eat

Heating or eating?

It shouldn’t be a choice.

Too many Victorians can’t afford basic essentials, like food and warmth.

People are making heartbreaking decisions every single day.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

HEATING

EATING

VCOSS is a member-based organisation.

VCOSS serves as the peak body of Victoria’s social and community sector.

Our members share our goal to eliminate poverty and disadvantage in Victoria, and include frontline service bodies, grassroots material support organisations and advocacy groups.

By joining VCOSS, organisations can access additional support in the form of political intelligence, increased advocacy reach, networking and collaboration opportunities, and more.

We are more powerful when working together.

VCOSS is independent and impartial.

We are not affiliated with any political party.

Learn more about joining VCOSS.

VCOSS CEO Juanita Pope

Juanita Pope was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) in November 2023.

A lawyer and consultant specialising in the not-for-profit sector, Juanita has 20 years’ experience in not-for-profit governance and leadership.

She worked for almost a decade at Justice Connect as Head of Not-for-profit Law and, before joining VCOSS, held the role of General Counsel and Company Secretary at climate advocacy organisation The Sunrise Project. Juanita has also practiced in corporate law and at the Federal Court of Australia. She studied at the University of Melbourne (1998-2003) obtaining a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Australian Studies and Cultural Studies).