Community services need some assurances for the future, writes Adrienne Picone.

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) advises employers must ensure eligible employees receive their 3.5% minimum wage increase from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2025.

For any government serious about trying to improve outcomes for Tasmanians, the community services industry is a critical partner. TasCOSS welcomes the inclusion of the community services industry in Labor’s Budget Repair Roundtable, should they win government.

A coalition of Tasmanian community service peak organisations has called on the incoming state government to build a strong partnership with the state’s community services industry to ensure no Tasmanian misses out on essential supports.

Tasmanians are being priced out of the private rental market with stock in short supply, new data shows. TasCOSS, in partnership with Anglicare Tasmania, have released two, new rental affordability indicators on the Tasmania’s State of Housing Dashboard, which highlight the challenges that persist in the private rental market.

TasCOSS’s 2025 Tasmanian Election Priorities statement focuses on industry sustainability and proposes a number of evidence-informed recommendations that better targets government spending to improve the wellbeing of Tasmanians. 

Today’s decision to call for a election on Saturday 19 July defies the will of the Tasmanian people who went to the polls and had their say a mere 14 months ago.

As you may be aware, the passing of the 2025/26 Tasmanian State Budget has been delayed, with the likely possibility of a state election. This means organisations whose funding ends at EOFY (30 June 2025) and are reliant on funding contained in the recent Budget will need interim funding arrangements.