TasCOSS’s 2025/26 Budget Priorities Statement, A Sustainable Industry for All Tasmanians, makes a series of key recommendations to embed changes to community organisations aimed at supporting industry sustainability.
The community services industry is one of the fastest growing and largest employing industries in Tasmania, adding around $1.9 billion annually to the Tasmanian economy, and employing more than 28,000 Tasmanians, vitally supported by more than 46,000 (formal) volunteers.
Until there is significant progress on the structural barriers that cause inequality, disadvantage, poverty and exclusion, the need for the provision of essential community services will continue to grow in Tasmania.
TasCOSS recommends a series of initiatives that will lead to broader industry sustainability, embed changes for child safety and wellbeing across organisations for the long-term, and more efficient and effective relationships with the Tasmanian Government.
The proposals are based on key themes which have emerged during our current work alongside the Department of Premier and Cabinet in the Commission of Inquiry Reform Implementation Project: responding to increased complexity and demand on our services supporting Tasmanians; how to effectively and sustainably resource Tasmanian community organisations; and how to promote and maintain consistent best practice.