UnitingCare Australia

Home
Australia
Canberra, ACT
UnitingCare Australia

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.

——————————————————————————————

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.

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

05/08/2026

This Loneliness Awareness Week, we're celebrating the 17,000 connectors in our UnitingCare volunteer community 🫶

Grace and Pam's story reminds us that connection goes both ways in volunteering. When you make space for someone else, you create a sense of belonging and purpose for everyone involved.

Visit lonelinessawarenessweek.com.au to learn how you can make room for connection.

Ending Loneliness Together

03/08/2026

Connection doesn't happen by accident, it happens when we make room for each other.

This Loneliness Awareness Week, Ending Loneliness Together is encouraging all of us to create space for connection. A simple invitation, a warm welcome, or taking the time to include someone can help people feel they belong and remind them they're not alone.

It's time to make room for connection. Visit lonelinessawarenessweek.com.au to learn more.

27/07/2026

Congratulations to Ben Keneally on his appointment as the new CEO of Uniting NSW.ACT 👏

Ben brings extensive leadership experience across healthcare, government, and the community sector, with a strong commitment to Uniting NSW.ACT’s vision of building stronger, more inclusive communities whilst tackling social disadvantage.

As we welcome Ben to the role, and to the UnitingCare Australia Board, we also extend our heartfelt thanks to retiring CEO Tracey Burton, whose leadership and ambition have left a lasting legacy across the network.

Please join us in welcoming Ben!

22/07/2026

A national test of AusAlert is happening on Monday 27 July 2026 at around 2pm AEST.

The test will be sent to all compatible mobile devices in Australia. This includes most mobile phones, and some smart watches and tablets, but not Apple iPads. You can receive an AusAlert without your device having an active SIM card.

We’ve developed a range of tailored AusAlert materials for older Australians. These cover:

⚠️What to expect when an alert is sent.
📱 What an AusAlert looks and sounds like.
🦻 How AusAlert works with accessibility devices.
✅ What to do when you receive an AusAlert.

If your device receives the AusAlert national test, it will vibrate and make a loud siren-like sound for about 10 seconds before stopping. As the national test is a Critical Alert, this will happen even if your device is on ‘silent’ or ‘do not disturb’.

For some older Australians, receiving an AusAlert may feel distressing or confusing. If this is the case, turn your mobile devices off or switch them to ‘aeroplane mode’ before the scheduled test time in your location and leave them off for at least one hour.

AusAlert may also work with hearing aids and cochlear implants. This will depend on your device’s accessibility settings. If you’re worried about receiving the AusAlert sound directly through your hearing technology, we recommend unpairing the Bluetooth connection between your hearing device and your phone or tablet before the test time in your location and leaving it unpaired for at least one hour.

If your device has text-to-speech turned on, the alert may be read out to you.

If you receive the AusAlert national test, you don’t need to do anything, as it’s just a test. If you don’t receive the AusAlert national test, that’s fine too – AusAlert is just one way to receive emergency information. Emergency management agencies use a range of channels to provide warning information, including radio and television broadcasts, social media, emergency service apps and websites, and information shared by family, friends and carers.

To make sure you're AusAlert ready, always update the latest software version on your device when asked. Be sure to restart your device after updating.

16/07/2026

Yesterday, we had the privilege of attending the National Press Club Address by outgoing Inspector-General of Aged Care, Natalie Siegel-Brown.

In a powerful and heartfelt speech, Natalie reminded us that older people must remain at the centre of aged care reform, and rather than spending more on aged care, we should focus on using existing funding better to keep older people independent and living at home for longer.

Her message aligns with UnitingCare Australia's advocacy for an aged care system that upholds the rights and dignity of older people, ensuring that everyone can access the care and support they need.

We thank Natalie for her service and leadership, and our UnitingCare network partners Jude Emmer, Cathy Thomas and Jane Pickering for joining us at this special occasion.

Blue Care Wesley Mission Queensland

14/07/2026

As NAIDOC Week marked 50 years of celebrating and recognising First Peoples, the UnitingCare network joined communities in honouring culture, sharing stories, and strengthening connections to Country 🤝

Resthaven Mount Gambier unveiled a large-scale artwork created by residents and staff under the guidance of resident and Indigenous artist, Sandra Becham.

Uniting WA joined community celebrations at the City of Stirling, recognising the enduring strength and contributions of First Peoples.

Uniting SA hosted a guided cultural tour of Yitpi Yartapuultiku in Port Adelaide, building a deeper connection to Country through the cultural significance of local flora and fauna.

Uniting Country SA ran events across Kadina, Port Pirie, Port Augusta and Whyalla, while Aboriginal Coordinator Safety & Wellbeing Rick Dadleh was recognised as Male Elder of the Year by the Port Augusta NAIDOC Committee.

Thank you to everyone across the UnitingCare network who helped celebrate this milestone NAIDOC Week and the rich culture and knowledge First Peoples bring to our communities every day ❤️💛🖤

09/07/2026

50 years of celebrating strength, culture and connection 💛❤️🖤

NAIDOC Week is an important time to honour the resilience, leadership and enduring cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and recognise the stories, marches, languages and art that have existed for tens of thousands of years.

At UnitingCare Australia, our commitment to Justice for First Peoples is about supporting a future grounded in truth, self-determination and opportunity — where First Nations communities can thrive for the next 50 years and beyond.

30/06/2026

It was an exciting morning at Uniting Mirinjani in Canberra today with some very special guests.

Uniting NSW.ACT hosted Treasurer Hon Jim Chalmers MP, Minister for Social Services Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for Aged Care and Seniors Hon Sam Rae MP, and local Member for Bean David Smith MP for an important press conference as we step into the new financial year.

Thank you to our political leaders for taking the time to visit, and to the wonderful Uniting NSW.ACT team and residents for so warmly opening their doors and sharing their home ❤️

Address

PO Box 4097 Kingston
Canberra, ACT
2604

Telephone

+61262496717

Website

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when UnitingCare Australia posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to UnitingCare Australia:

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Canberra?