Acoss survey finds financial counselling, legal services and homelessness sectors particularly stretched, with those in rural areas under most pressure

This article is more than 9 months old

This article is more than 9 months old

Just 5% of staff working in community services say they have enough capacity to meet demand, a survey commissioned by the Australian Council of Social Service (Acoss) has found.

The survey of 1,464 staff including 406 organisational leaders, conducted in October this year found very few had the ability to completely meet the demand for services from the community.

Those most likely to report unmet demand were in the housing and homelessness (38%) sector, financial counselling (35%) and legal services (33%). Those located in regional and rural areas had higher levels of unmet demand.

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Just 5% of respondents said they were completely able to meet demand, while 41% said they were somewhat able to meet demand. Almost one-quarter of respondents said they were rarely or never able to meet demand.

Those better equipped were the employment and training sector, with 51% mostly able or completely able to meet demand.

New South Wales reported the highest percentage of people reporting inability to meet demand at 28%, while the ACT reported the lowest at 15%.

Financial status was key in many cases. The report found that just 12% of organisational leaders who reported financial reserves lower than one month’s worth of expenses said they could meet demand.

Those who reported an increase in demand for services were also those more likely to report unmet demand, the report found. A total of 76% of housing and homelessness sector staff reported increased demand, followed by 71% of staff in financial counselling and support.

Respondents said the unmet demand naturally had adverse impacts on the community.

“The impact on individuals, if they cannot see a financial counsellor, include utility disconnection, eviction, increased mental health issues and the inability to feed and appropriately clothe and medicate themselves and their families,” one service from South Australia told the study.

“Not being able to get help when they first build the courage to ask, then they are less likely to try again.”

An ACT service said unmet demand means people fall through the cracks and end up in hospitals or in the justice system.

The lack of resources also frustrated workers and limited their ability to do advocacy work, the report found.

Acoss CEO Cassandra Goldie said this time of year especially can be difficult for those in tough times who rely on community services.

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“For people who are on low incomes, facing a relationship breakdown or family crisis, struggling with their mental health, leaving a violent situation, or facing discrimination or homelessness, the festive season can be a particularly worrying and isolating time,” she said in a statement.

“During this period, many people experiencing disadvantage will turn to charities for help to get by. But the results of our survey show community services already do not have enough resources to keep up with demand.”

Goldie said the survey was conducted before the bushfires and heatwaves started having a major impact on parts of Australia, and this would place even more strain on resources.

“It’s not right that in Australia, one of the wealthiest countries in the world, vulnerable people are going without the help they desperately need. In times of need, everyone should be able to rely on the crucial assistance offered by our hard-working community services.”

Goldie said there needed to be $2bn of funding put in by the federal government to restore cuts made to funding over the past few years.

“An injection of $2bn would help create great jobs all over the country including in regional areas, with local people being paid to provide the help and support their communities so desperately need.

“The funds would go into the hands of local economies and help support wages as well as opening the doors to vital services in local areas.”