UnitingCare Australia

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UnitingCare Australia

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We're the national body for the Uniting Church's community services network.

UnitingCare Australia is the national body for the Uniting Church’s community services, the largest social services network in Australia. The UnitingCare network supports 5.8 million interactions every year across 1,600 sites in urban, rural, and remote communities, with over 55,000 staff and 17,000 volunteers. Together we believe that everyone should live life to its fullest and with dignity, no matter their circumstances. We’re advocates for social justice and we work across party lines to give a voice to the most vulnerable in our community. We’re innovative, ambitious and passionate about inspiring a better world.

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Our Social Media Policy

We welcome engaging conversations on social media within reasonable bounds. We also reserve the right to remove content that is not in the spirit of thoughtful and respectful conversation. Please do:
- Interact by having a positive and open conversation.
- Engage in thoughtful discussion that supports our community. Please don’t:
- Use language including, but not limited to, excessive polemic or rhetoric that vilifies others based on their race, gender, sexuality, religion, other beliefs.
- Engage in bullying, threatening, intimidating, disrespectful or harassing behaviour – especially no abusive, slanderous or defamatory personal attacks on individual members or their opinions.
- Post inappropriate/explicit content or spamming.
- Distribute false and/or misleading information.
- Advertise/promote products and/or services.

22/09/2026

Growing older shouldn't mean sacrificing your health or quality of life. Yet for the 200,000 older Australians waiting for a Support at Home package, that is the reality they're currently living in.

Today at the Senate Inquiry into Support at Home, we advocated for urgent action to address the growing gap between need and access for in-home aged care.

We called on the Government to release more Support at Home packages, improve access for vulnerable older people, and increase funding for the Commonwealth Home Support Program so no one is left waiting for care or going without it altogether.

Thank you to our network partners BlueCare and Uniting NSW.ACT for standing alongside us and helping strengthen our collective voice.

Together, we are calling for an aged care system that truly delivers on its promise of choice and dignity for every older Australian.

Read our full media release here: https://bit.ly/3V1f9q8

18/09/2026

This week, our aged care leaders met in Melbourne to shape the priorities for our upcoming 2027-28 Pre-Budget Submission.

The past month has brought significant developments in our aged care advocacy, including some hard-fought wins, but there is still more work to be done.

Providers continue to face rising costs, workforce pressures and increasing demand, making it harder to keep pace with the practical realities of delivering the high-quality care that older Australians rely on every day.

That’s why we’ll continue advocating for the investment and support needed to ensure aged care providers can focus on what matters most - helping older Australians access the care and support they need, regardless of their means or postcode.

Wesley Mission Queensland Juniper Resthaven BlueCare Uniting Communities UnitingCare Wesley Bowden - UCWB Clayton Church Homes

09/09/2026

Yesterday, we met with Hon Sam Rae MP, Minister for Aged Care and Seniors to share frontline evidence about the impact of the latest AN-ACC funding decision, advocating for funding that reflects the true cost of care.

Without a correction to AN-ACC pricing, providers will struggle to sustain services, expand capacity to meet rising demand, and deliver the high-quality care every older Australian deserves.

The ambitions of aged care reform must be matched by sustainable funding, and we will continue working with Government and advocating for action that protects access to quality care, now and into the future.

Thank you to Cathy Thomas, BlueCare Group Executive and Patrick Reid, Chief Operating Officer at Uniting NSW.ACT for bringing the realities of aged care delivery to Canberra to help tell our story.

03/09/2026

A funding increase for residential care might sound like progress, but it falls well short of the cost pressures providers are facing.

We've learned from the failures exposed by the Royal Commission that quality aged care cannot be delivered without adequate investment, and the Government cannot continue to raise expectations without providing the funding needed to deliver on an ambitious aged care system.

Read full media release here: https://bit.ly/4ia3UoW

26/08/2026

Last week our Board came together to shape the next phase of our organisational strategy, marking an exciting new chapter for UnitingCare Australia 🎉

Feedback from across our network has helped guide our strategic direction, affirming our shared priorities and the power of our collective voice.

That feedback reinforced our role as a trusted advocate for our providers, bringing organisations together to build stronger, more supported communities across Australia.

Our focus now is on growing that influence and strengthening our impact so we can meet the opportunities and challenges ahead.

We're excited to share our 2026–29 strategy in the coming months, so stay tuned.

20/08/2026

For thousands of older Australians, the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) is vital in helping people stay independent at home and connected to their communities in their ageing journey.

The Government's announcement brings greater certainty for the 54,000 older Australians supported by a UnitingCare provider – a positive step we have long advocated for.

Read the full media release 👉 https://bit.ly/4xREGA5

19/08/2026

No one should have to wait 10 months for aged care. Yet around 200,000 older Australians are currently waiting for an assessment or a Support at Home package, with delays putting people at risk of declining health, avoidable hospitalisations and, in some cases, care arriving too late.

We're calling on the Government to urgently release more Support at Home packages and deliver on the promise of a more responsive aged care system.

A dignified aged care system starts with timely access to care at home.

Full media release 👉 https://bit.ly/4hJhnnm

13/08/2026

Getting Support at Home right is critical to ensuring aged care reform delivers for older Australians, their families, providers, and the workforce that supports them 🫶

Our submission to the Inquiry into the Support at Home Program draws on the expertise and insights of UnitingCare aged care providers across Australia, highlighting the changes needed to build a stronger, more sustainable in-home aged care system.

Thank you to our aged care network for helping shape this submission and for the dedication they show every day in delivering high-quality care and support to communities across Australia.

Read the full submission here: https://bit.ly/4qmMibq

11/08/2026

Uniting SA is delighted to announce the appointment of Helen Sheppard as its new CEO 🙌

Helen brings a wealth of experience in social and community impact, and is already a familiar face in the UnitingCare network as the current CEO of UnitingCare Wesley Bowden.

With her strong values, passion for people and proven leadership, we're looking forward to seeing the impact Helen will make as Uniting SA continues to support and strengthen communities across South Australia.

Please join us in congratulating Helen on her appointment!

10/08/2026

We know what happens when fuel prices rise: more people are forced to seek help just to make ends meet.

We're calling for continued investment in the services that help Australians through financial hardship.

Swipe to learn more 👉

Full article published on The Point: https://bit.ly/3TDHdPJ

Address

PO Box 4097 Kingston
Canberra, ACT
2604

Telephone

+61262496717

Website

http://www.unitingcare.org.au/

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