DSS Grants – A New Way of Working (text based translation)
The DSS Grants – A New Way of Working diagram illustrates the transition of former programme
outcomes into the new programme structure. It is designed to provide a high level description of
the changes and to communicate the new arrangements for DSS grants.
The diagram’s overarching contextual statement is ‘The Department of Social Services is
implementing a new way of working for grants, including new grant programmes that are better
suited to what communities want and need. This is a single, coherent structure, streamlining 18
discretionary grant programmes into seven. Simplifying grant programmes will promote greater
community input and flexibility to drive local solutions to local problems.’
The diagram identifies the seven DSS programmes and the former programme outcomes of which
they are comprised.
1. New Outcome 2 Families and Communities, including programme 2.1 Families and
Communities which includes Civil Society, Financial Wellbeing and Capability, Families and
Communities Service Improvement, Strengthening Communities, Families and Children,
National Initiatives and Settlement Services.
The Former Programme Outcomes that were streamlined to form the new Outcome 2
Families and Communities, 2.1 Families and Communities Programme include:
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From former Outcome 1, former Programme 1.1 Family support
From former Outcome 2, former Programme 2.1 Housing Assistance and Homelessness
Prevention (including the former Home Advice and Reconnect Activities)
From former Outcome 3, former Programme 3.1 Financial Management. 3.2 Community
Investment and 3.7 Civil Society and Volunteering
From former Outcome 4, former Programme 4.2 Allowances, Concessions and Services for
Seniors (including the Broadband for Seniors)
From former Outcome 5, former Programme 5.5 support for Carers (including the My Time
Peer Support Groups Activity)
From former Outcome 6, former Programme 6.1 Gender Equality for Women (including
projects funded through Support for Trafficked People, Women’s Safety Agenda and Other
Services – Services for Other Entities and Trust Monies)
From former Outcome 9, former Programme 9.1 Settlement Services for Migrants and
Refugees (including the Settlement Services Activity), and
From former Outcome 10, former Programme 10.1 Multicultural Services.
Additional information about the 2.1 Families and Communities Programme reads:
The Families and Communities Programme focuses on early intervention and prevention
activities to improve financial wellbeing and capability, strengthen communities, support
migrants transitioning to life in Australia, and ensure the lifetime wellbeing of families and
children.
2. The second new grant programme is Outcome 5 Disability. This includes 5.1 Disability,
Mental Health and Carers Programme which includes Community Mental Health, Disability
and Carer Support, Disability Employment, as well as Disability and Carer Service
Improvement and Sector Support. As well as 5.2 National Disability Insurance Scheme which
includes National Disability Insurance Scheme Transition.
The Former Programme Outcomes that were integrated to form the new Outcome 5
Disability, 5.1 Disability, Mental Health and Carers Programme include:
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From former Outcome 5, the former programmes 5.1 Targeted Community Care, 5.4 Services
and Support for people with Disability, 5.5 Support for Carers, 5.6 National Disability
Insurance Scheme (including the National Disability Advocacy programme), 5.7 Early
Intervention Services for Children with a Disability (including Helping Children with Autism
Early Intervention and A Better Start for Children with Disability)
From former Outcome 11, former Programme 11.1 Disability Employment Services (including
the Disability Employment Services Activity and the Employment Assistance and Other
Services Activity)
Additional information about 5.1 Disability, Mental health and Carers Programme reads:
o The Disability, Mental Health and Carers Programme (DMHCP) will provide support for
people with disability and mental health issues, and their carers. The programme has a
focus on early intervention and support through community based initiatives.
3. The third new grant programme is Outcome 4 Housing, including 4.1 Housing and
Homelessness Programme which includes Housing and Homelessness Service Improvement
and Sector Support.
The Former Programme integrated to form the new Outcome 4 Housing, 4.1 Housing and
Homelessness Programme is:
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From former Outcome 2, the former programme 2.1 Housing Assistance and Homelessness
Prevention.
Outcome 3 Ageing and Aged Care is caveated as having already undergone reform processes,
and therefore the programmes remain unchanged. The four Programmes and activities
represented are:
4. 3.2 Home Support Programme (which includes Day Therapy Centres, Commonwealth HACC
Programme, Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged, and National Respite for Carers).
Additional information about the 3.2 Home Support Programme reads:
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The Home Support Programme provides funding for basic maintenance, care and
support services for older people and their carers who live in the community, respite
and access to information to carers, and funds a range of allied health and therapy
services. The programme also aims to assist financially disadvantaged older people in
identifying services that can provide appropriate, sustainable and affordable housing
and community care services.
5. 3.4 Residential and Flexible Care Programme (which includes Rural and Remote Building
Fund and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (NATSI) Flexible Aged Care Program).
Additional information about the 3.4 Residential and Flexible Care Programme reads:
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Residential aged care provides a range of care options and accommodation for older
people who are unable to continue living independently in their own homes. Flexible
care caters to the needs of older people, in either a residential or home care setting,
who may require a different approach than that provided through mainstream
residential and home care options.
6. 3.5 Workforce and Quality Programme (which includes Aged Care Workforce Fund,
Indigenous Aged Care Workforce, Community Visitors Scheme, and National Aged Care
Advocacy Programme).
Additional information about the 3.5 Workforce and Quality Programme reads:
 The Workforce and Quality Programme aims to ensure the availability of a skilled
workforce, empower consumers and ensure high quality of care to recipients of aged
care services.
7. 3.6 Ageing and Service Improvement Programme (which includes Aged Care Service
Improvement and Healthy Ageing Grants).
Additional information about the 3.6 Ageing and Service Improvement Programme reads:
 The Ageing and Service Improvement Programme enables better support for activities
that promote healthy and active ageing, better response to existing and emerging
challenges including dementia care and better support services targeting Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people and people from diverse backgrounds.
For more information on the new way of working, visit the DSS grants website at dss.gov.au/grants.
The programmes are broken down over the following pages as outlined below.
2.1 Families and Communities Programme
The Families and Communities Programme focuses on early intervention and prevention activities to
improve financial wellbeing and capability, strengthen communities, support migrants transitioning
to life in Australia, and ensure the lifetime wellbeing of families and children.
The Families and Communities Programme identifies the following activities of which it is comprised,
including the Financial Wellbeing and Capability, Civil Society, Strengthening Communities, National
Initiatives, Settlement Services, Families and Children, and Families and Communities Service
Improvement.
Additional Information on each of these is below. More information on the activities delivered as
part of this programme can also be found in the programme information documents.
Financial Wellbeing and Capability
Aims to support vulnerable people and those most at risk of financial and social exclusion and
disadvantage to navigate financial crisis and to build financial capability, resilience and wellbeing.
The Financial Wellbeing and Capability Activity identifies its sub-activities of which it is comprised,
including Financial Crisis and Material Aid, Financial Counselling, Capability and Resilience and
Training, Sector Support, Innovation, Research and Evaluation. Additional information on each of
these sub-activities is explained below.
Financial Crisis and Material Aid
Financial Crisis and Material Aid encompasses the provision of Emergency Relief and Food Relief.
Emergency Relief
Provides immediate financial and/or material support to people in a financial crisis. Emergency relief
is a safety net for people experiencing financial distress or hardship and who have limited means or
resources to help them alleviate their financial crisis.
Food Relief
Provides food items to people in financial crisis, including increased access to a cost-effective supply
of food items, sourcing and transporting of essential foods, and leading the development of local
partnerships amongst food redistribution suppliers.
Financial Counselling Capability and Resilience
Financial Counselling, Capability and Resilience encompasses the provision of financial counselling,
financial literacy education, and access to financial services including financial and microfinance
products.
Commonwealth Financial Counselling
Helps people in financial difficulty to address their financial problems and make informed choices
through direct case work, one-on-one intensive support, community education, the provision of
information, advocacy and/or negotiation.
Financial Capability
Services seek to help people to build longer-term capability to budget and manage their money
better and make informed choices, through financial literacy education, or information, coaching
and support.
Financial Resilience
Offers a variety of financial services and products targeted at financially vulnerable people that help
to build self-reliance and provide access to financial products, such as no interest or low interest
loans, or matched savings.
Training, Sector Support, Innovation, Research and Evaluation
Training and Sector Support will build the capacity of workers who deliver services under the other
two sub-activities for the Financial Wellbeing and Capability activity.
Financial Crisis Material Aid Sector Support
Will provide nationally-coordinated training, workforce development and sector support for workers
delivering Emergency Relief, both paid and unpaid, to help them better deliver services to the key
target groups
Financial Counselling and Capability Sector Support
Will provide nationally-coordinated training, workforce development and sector support for
Financial Counselling and Capability workers.
Financial Resilience Sector Support
Will provide sector support for organisations providing loans and matched saving schemes and their
workers by the lead service provider in consultation with the Australian Government.
Civil Society
To support charities and not-for-profit organisations through education, training and fostering
innovation to continue to focus on their work in the community.
Strengthening Communities
Supports organisations to develop solutions and deliver responsive and integrated services that
meet community needs.
The Strengthening Communities Activity identifies its sub-activities of which it is comprimsed,
including Community Development and Participation, Volunteering and Multicultural Affairs.
Additional information on each of these sub-activities is explained below.
Community Development and Participation
Community Development and Participation supports the delivery of services or one-off projects,
activities or events that respond to local community needs and make a positive contribution to
community life.
Volunteering
The Volunteering sub-activity aims to support the ongoing delivery of services or one-off projects
and activities to encourage, support and increase participation in volunteering.
Multicultural Affairs
Multicultural Affairs supports projects that build the long-term capacities of higher need and at-risk
communities, including through the promotion of stronger community relations and the
development of sustainable community partnerships.
National Initiatives
Aims to achieve positive outcome for families, women and their children, by supporting families so
that children have the best possible start in life, and advancing gender equality to improve the status
and wellbeing of women in Australia.
The National Initiatives Activity identifies its sub-activities of which it is comprised, including the
National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children, the National Plan to Reduce Violence against
Women and their Children and Support for Trafficked People Program. Additional information on
each of these sub-activities is explained below.
National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children
The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020 (the National Framework)
aims to drive change for families and children so that Australia’s children grow up safe and well.
National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children
Components funded under the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children
2010-2022 (the National Plan), contribute to filling the gaps in service provision for victims of
domestic and family violence and/or sexual assault and build the evidence-base in reducing violence
against women.
Support for Trafficked People Program
Support for Trafficked People Program recognises that trafficked people have specific and individual
support needs and may be at risk from traffickers, have few safe networks in Australia and few
friends outside the exploitative conditions they were found in.
Settlement Services
Delivers services which assist clients to become self-reliant and participate equitably in Australian
society, with a focus on fostering social participation, economic well-being, independence, personal
well-being and community connectedness.
The Settlement Services Activity identifies its sub-activities of which it is comprised, including Peak
Bodies, Settlement Grants and the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters
(NAATI). Additional information on each of these sub-activities is explained below.
Peak Bodies
Peak bodies and advocacy groups play an important role in representing the settlement, and
community sectors to government. Typical peak body services include but are not limited to
providing advice on policy and programme development, advocacy, sharing information and best
practice across the sector and promotion of issues on behalf of members.
Settlement Grants
Delivers core settlement support for humanitarian entrants and other eligible migrants in their first
five years in Australia. Services include casework/coordination and service delivery, community
coordination and development, youth settlement services and support for ethno-specific
communities.
NAATI
The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) sets and maintains
national standards in translating and interpreting, and supports the ongoing development of
credentialed translators and interpreters. Funding is provided in recognition of NAATI’s community
service function in supporting Australian residents not fluent in English to access mainstream
services.
Families and Children
Provides integrated services for families to achieve improved child, youth, adult and family
wellbeing, increased economic engagement and more cohesive communities.
The Families and Children Activity identifies its sub-activities of which it is comprised, including
Family and Relationship Services, Communities for Children Facilitating Partners, Young People,
Adult Specialist Support Services, Children and Parenting and Family Law Services. Additional
information on each of these sub-activities is explained below.
Family and Relationship Services
Family and Relationship Services aim to strengthen family relationships, prevent breakdown and
ensure the wellbeing and safety of children through the provision of broad-based counselling and
education to families of different forms and sizes.
The Stronger Relationships trial
Will operate from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 and will provide grants to family and relationship
services and non-profit organisations to provide up to 100,000 couples with a $200 fee reduction for
relationship education and counselling services, which may include components of parent education,
conflict resolution and/or financial education.
Communities for Children Facilitating Partners
Communities for Children Facilitating Partners aim to deliver positive and sustainable outcomes for
children and families in disadvantaged communities throughout Australia.
Young People
Young People services assist young people and their families to improve family relationships,
promote family functioning, and support engagement with work, education, training and the
community. This includes a focus on young people who are at risk of homelessness.
Adult Specialist Support Services
Adult Specialist Support Services provide services and support to improve outcomes and enhance
wellbeing for people adversely affected by past institutional and child-welfare practices and policies.
Training and Sector Support will build the capacity of workers who deliver services under
the other two sub-activities for the Financial Wellbeing and Capability activity.
The Find and Connect Support Services
Are for Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants and provide specialist counselling, referral
services, peer, education and social support programmes and assistance to locate and access records
and reconnect with family members (where possible).
Forced Adoptions Support Services
Provide specialist support to people affected by forced adoptions. The services complement and
enhance existing services funded by the state and territory governments and aim to improve access
to peer support, professional counselling and records and family tracing.
Royal Commission Community-Based Support
Provide a broad range of assistance to people affected by the Royal Commission into Institutional
Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Services include counselling, information and referral and case
management to ensure victims and survivors of child sexual abuse, and their families, are able to
access support and participate in the Royal Commission. into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual
Abuse includes a range of community-based support services to provide support to people affected
by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (the Royal Commission).
Children and Parenting
The Children and Parenting Sub-Activity provides funding to early intervention and prevention
services and resources that are aimed at improving children’s development and wellbeing and
supporting the capacity of those
in a parenting role.
Children and Parenting Support Services
Under this component provide support to children and families based on an early intervention and
prevention approach and supporting the capacity of those in a parenting role. Services have a
primary focus on children aged 0-12 years, but may include children up to age 18 years.
Intensive Family Support Services (IFSS)
Are evidence-informed and outcomes-based with a focus on reducing child neglect and increasing
the capacity of highly vulnerable families living in selected communities in the Northern Territory
(NT) and the Anungu Pitjantjatjara Yankunyatjatjara (APY) Lands of South Australia (SA) to support
their children to be safe, nurtured and thriving.
Child Support Advocacy
Community organisations that regularly assist separated or separating parents with support and
information regarding their interaction with the Child Support Scheme.
Family Law Services
Family law services aim to provide alternatives to formal legal processes for families who are
separated or are separating to resolve their disputes, improve their relationships and make
arrangements that are in the best interests of their children.
Family Relationship Centres
Are a highly visible entry point or gateway to the whole family support service system. Centres
provide information, support and referral services to all families and provide family dispute
resolution and access to some legal assistance for separating or separated families.
Children’s Contact Services
Enable children of separated parents to have safe contact with the parent who they do not live with
in circumstances where parents are unable to manage their own contact arrangements.
The Supporting Children after Separation Program
Aims to support the wellbeing of children under the age of 18 from separated or separating families
who are experiencing issues with difficult family relationships. The services help children and young
people deal with issues arising from the breakdown of their parents’ relationship and the
circumstances in which they find themselves and provide opportunities for them to participate in
decisions that impact on them.
The Parenting Orders Program – Post Separation Cooperative Parenting Services
Help separated or divorced families who are in high conflict to work out parenting arrangements in a
manner which encourages consideration of what is in a child’s best interests in establishing or
maintaining relationships, while at the same time ensuring the safety of all parties.
Family Dispute Resolution
Services assist families to reach agreement and to resolve their disputes related to family law issues
about child and property related matters, outside of the court system.
Regional Family Dispute Resolution
Services assist families to reach agreement and to resolve their disputes related to family law issues,
in particular child and property related matters, outside of the court system.
The Family Relationship Advice Line
(The Advice Line) is a national non-face to face service available to anyone affected by family
relationship or separation issues and difficulties, including parents, grandparents, carers, children,
young people, step-parents or friends.
Family Law Counselling
(Delivered under the Family and Relationship Services Sub-Activity) services help people with
relationship difficulties better manage their personal or interpersonal issues to do with children and
family during marriage, separation and divorce.
Families and Communities Service Improvement
Supports a variety of service improvement initiatives including conferences, research, peak body
funding, pilot initiatives, policy advice, advocacy and evaluation.
4.1 Housing and Homelessness Programme
The Housing and Homelessness Programme will support the development of policy advice to inform
government responses to meet current and future challenges, including how to improve housing
affordability for all Australians.
The Housing and Homelessness Programme identifies the following activity of which it is comprised;
Housing and Homelessness Service Improvement and Sector Support.
Additional Information on this activity is below. More information on the activity delivered as part of
this programme can also be found in the programme information documents.
Housing and Homelessness Service Improvement and Sector Support
Provides funding for research, innovative projects, emerging Government priorities and peak bodies
which may include sector representation, communication, or sector engagement.
The Housing and Homelessness Service Improvement and Sector Support Activity identifies its subactivities of which it is comprised, including Research, Peak Bodies, Emerging Government Priorities
and Innovative Projects. Additional information on each of these sub-activities is explained below.
Research
Includes funding to establish and contribute to an evidence base that identifies housing and
homelessness issues and effective ways of responding to the housing needs of all Australians. The
research is targeted to meet Government policy priorities.
Peak Bodies
Includes funding to applicable peak organisations to represent individuals and service providers
relevant to DSS’s policy development and service delivery responsibilities.
Emerging Government Priorities
Includes funding to support the growth and responsiveness of the housing and homelessness sector
that contribute to improve housing affordability, reduce the impact of homelessness, and inform
housing and homelessness policy development.
Innovative projects
Includes funding for innovative projects that may be identified as best practice models and can be
promoted and replicated to enhance existing housing and homelessness policies
and programmes.
5.1 Disability, Mental Health and Carers Programme
The Disability, Mental Health and Carers Programme (DMHCP) will provide support for people with
disability and mental health issues, and their carers. The programme has a focus on early
intervention and support through community based initiatives.
The Disability, Mental Health and Carers Programme identifies the following activities of which it is
comprised, including Disability Employment, Community Mental Health, Disability and Carer Service
Improvement, Sector Support and Disability and Carer Support and the National Disability Insurance
Scheme.
Additional Information on these activities is below. More information on the activities delivered as
part of this programme can also be found in the programme information documents.
Disability Employment
Includes funding to help individuals with injury, disability or a health condition to secure and
maintain sustainable open employment.
Community Mental Health
The objective of the Community Mental Health Activity is to provide early intervention and other
support to assist people with mental illness and their families and carers, increase their wellbeing
and actively participate in community and economic life.
The Community Mental Health Activity identifies its sub-activities of which it is comprised, including
assistance for people severely impacted by mental illness, early intervention support to vulnerably
families with children and young people who are showing early signs of, or are at risk of developing,
mental illness, support for options for carers and families of people with severe mental illness and
mental health promotion, education and advocacy. Additional information on each of these subactivities is explained below.
Assistance for people severely impacted by mental illness
Includes practical one-to-one assistance to people with severe mental illness aged 16 years and over,
to help them access services and participate economically and socially in the community, increasing
their opportunities for recovery.
Early intervention support to vulnerable families with children and young people who are showing
early signs of, or are at risk of developing, mental illness
Includes intensive, long-term, early intervention support, referral and assistance for families, and
community outreach and group work.
Support options for carers and families of people with severe mental illness
Includes relief from the caring role through respite or social and recreational activities, carer support
such as counselling, advocacy, peer support, and education, information and access.
Mental health promotion, education and advocacy
Includes funding for peak bodies, research, health promotion, lobby groups, and provides
opportunities for people with mental illness, carers, policy makers, etc.
Disability and Carer Service Improvement and Sector Support
Disability, Carer Service Improvement and Sector Support aims to promote an understanding of
people with disability and carers, and to maximise their potential to participate as equal citizens in
society.
Disability and Carer Support
Disability and Carer Support Activity provides assistance, support and services for people with
disability and carers. This Activity aims to provide appropriate means of self-reliance,
communication, education services and advocacy.
5.2 National Disability Insurance Scheme
National Disability Insurance Scheme Transition
Aims to improve wellbeing through the NDIS, and includes existing supports that are transitioning
into the Scheme in a phased approach.