Catholic Social Services Australia

25/06/2026

Today, we are excited to launch CSSA State of the Sector Survey 2026 – ’Mapping the National Footprint of Catholic Social Services’.

Across Australia, Catholic organisations continue to serve on the frontlines of community need - providing care, dignity, and hope to people experiencing vulnerability and hardship. This work is essential, yet often the voice of our sector is not fully reflected in national conversations about policy, funding, and social wellbeing.
People in the most need simply expect services like ours to just ‘be there’ when all other support is gone.

The CSSA State of the Sector Survey is an important opportunity to change that by building a stronger evidence base that reflects the real experiences of our organisations and our impact in the communities we serve.

Your insights will directly support CSSA’s advocacy efforts and strengthen our engagement with government and partners, ensuring the realities of your work help shape future decisions.

We warmly invite all Catholic organisations, and community organisations to participate and represent their experiences, priorities, and the communities they serve, ensuring their voice is reflected in national discussions

👉 Take part in the survey here: https://cssa.org.au/cssas-state-of-the-sector-survey-2026/

With sincere thank you for your commitment, compassion, and service to community every day.

21/06/2026

This week, Dr Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia took part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, helping raise awareness of homelessness and hardship in our community.

Because of your kindness and generosity, we raised $3,586, helping fund 11 support programs, provide 29 safe beds, and deliver 119 meals to people who need them most. For many, this support is the beginning of healing, a place of safety, and the hope of a brighter tomorrow.

This is the power of community - people coming together with compassion to lift others up, restore dignity, and remind those doing it tough that they are seen, valued, and cared for. Thank you for making this possible.

If you haven't had the opportunity to contribute yet, donations may still be made for a few days after the Sleepout. Please feel free to show your support and make a contribution here - https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/jerrynockles/act?fbclid=IwY2xjawSisj5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFjOXAwc09oREtsUFJwOUJsc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHkY1a5Ku1h026XblHHpOJ3ECD7P3QfuzZaUZ7cSWMFQ_TywmHn1RO-5NfQ8T_aem_viEoIzeaH-sT-bt5V33rzw

Thank you for standing with us.

20/06/2026

Last week, Dr Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia delivered the 2026 St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Oration at the Duxton Hotel, Perth, inviting us to reflect on a deeply grounding truth that sits at the heart of our shared humanity: “Look through difference to see dignity.”

Dr Nockles drew on the witness of St Mary MacKillop, the courage of Dr Martin Luther King Jr, and the richness of Catholic Social Teaching, reminding us that every response must be rooted in something far deeper than systems or structures alone.

“Every person’s situation is unique.
Every response must touch their concrete reality, their needs, their hearts.
And it must always respect their dignity as beloved children of God.”

In a world marked by division and fear, his words call us back to what matters most - “our shared humanity and the inherent dignity of every person”.

He reminds us to not forget who we are accompanying – the vulnerable, the marginalised, the broken – but also to never forget who we are following.

“We follow Jesus.”

Dr Nockles further reminds us powerfully of hope as something far more enduring than optimism.

“A hope that never disappoints.
A hope that sustains us through struggle, division, and hardship.
A hope that calls us to keep climbing, keep striving, keep loving – even when the path is steep and the night is dark.
A hope that reminds us to never see a need without doing something about it."

And at the centre of it all is a simple but confronting challenge for our time: to truly see one another.

In every difference, every disagreement, every division – we are called to look again, and deeper, to look through.

Because beneath every label and every barrier, there remains a shared truth:

We are human beings.
We are made in the image of God.
And we are deeply, inherently worthy of dignity and love.

May we continue to be a people who choose to see differently, love deeply, and act justly – carrying forward a hope that never fades.

Read Dr Jerry Nockle's full Oration here - chrome-extensio://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://cssa.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/St-Mary-of-the-Cross-MacKillop-Oration-2026-as-delivered.pdf

18/06/2026

16/06/2026

One more night of sleep before Dr Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia takes part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout.

Tomorrow, Dr Nockles will spend the night outdoors - an experience that offers a glimpse into the reality faced by far too many Australians every day.

A night without bed, warmth or certainty can be confronting. But for people experiencing homelessness, this isn’t temporary. It’s life.

By taking part, Dr Nockles is helping raise awareness and much-needed funds for people doing it tough - helping provide meals, shelter, and support when it’s needed the most.

Thanks to your kindness and generosity, $3,246 has already been raised. We are now in the final stretch toward the $4,000 goal.

If you’ve been thinking about donating, now is the time. Every donation, no matter how small, helps bring comfort, hope, and dignity to people doing it tough - reminding them they are not alone.

And everyone deserves that.

Show your support here - https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/jerrynockles

15/06/2026

CSSA’s CEO, Dr Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia, and Director of Strategic Engagement and Mission, Katie Walsh-Smith, were delighted to spend time in Western Australia last week, connecting with members in Broome and Perth.

Across the visit, they took part in a number of significant gatherings and events in the Archdiocese of Perth, including

- Meeting with Catholic Social Services Western Australia members
- Attending the Primary Schools launch of Lifelink 2026 - A funding collaboration initiative for WA Catholic social services agencies
- Engaging with the WA Department of Communities
- Celebrating the blessing of the new Stella Maris Centre in Rockingham
- Participating in the Archdiocese of Perth Synodality workshop
- The St Mary of the Cross MacKillop Oration, which Dr Nockles was honoured to deliver for 2026.

This visit was a wonderful opportunity to strengthen relationships with our WA members and celebrate the breadth and impact of Catholic social services across the state. CSSA team is deeply grateful for the warm hospitality of CSSWA and for the strong spirit of collaboration and shared mission evident throughout the week.

Special thanks to The Most Reverend Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB, Archbishop of Perth, Bishop Tim Norton, Bishop Don Sproxton, Bishop Nelson Po, and CSSWA Executive Director Debra Sayce.

📸 Image 1: Dr Jerry Nockles with Bishop Tim Norton at Stella Maris, Rockingham

📸 Image 2: Katie Walsh-Smith with CSSA member Dr Robyn Miller, CEO of MacKillop Family Services

12/06/2026

What does it mean to have a place to call home?

For many of us, it's something we rarely have to think about - a warm bed, a safe space, and a door to close at night.

But for many Australians, that certainty doesn't exist.

That's why Dr Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia is taking part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, standing in solidarity with people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.

Thanks to your generosity, Dr Nockles has already raised $2,597 towards his $4,000 goal - helping fund 8 support programs, 21 nights of safe accommodation, and 85 meals for people doing it tough. But there is still more to do. Every donation, no matter the size, helps provide practical support to those facing some of life's greatest challenges.

Because no one should have to choose between survival and dignity and everyone deserves a place to call home.

Donate now - https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/jerrynockles

11/06/2026

CSSA was pleased to attend Dr Andrew Leigh MP's address at the National Press Club, where he spoke about the decline in community connection and social trust and the power of the community sector and charities in bringing people together.

One of the most inspiring themes of the address was the idea that strong communities hold social capital that is the invisible infrastructure of a country. Whether it is volunteering, supporting a local initiative, advocating for those in need, or simply reaching out to a neighbour and sharing a meal, these acts strengthen the bonds, help weave the social fabric that connects us all, and create opportunities for people looking to find friendship, purpose, and hope.

A major focus was the government's intention to develop a more coherent policy trust agenda for the sector including: reducing unnecessary regulatory and reporting burdens, encouraging individual philanthropy, corporate giving and increased volunteerism, addressing concerns that proposed trust and taxation reforms could indirectly reduce donations, and stronger partnerships between government and community organisations, including through existing reform blueprints.

Across Australia, our network of Catholic community organisations work tirelessly to create this place of welcome, support, and belonging and CSSA is extremely proud to stand alongside and work with our members and partners who contribute in this important work of helping build communities where people feel connected, valued, and supported.

We thank Dr Leigh for recognising the extraordinary contribution of the community services sector and for highlighting the value of connection, generosity, and civic participation.

09/06/2026

Catholic Social Services Australia is calling for a transparent and well-considered enquiry into both proposed taxation changes and reforms to the NDIS.

These two important bills carry real weight and will impact lives across Australia. The NDIS Amendment – Securing the NDIS for Future Generations Bill 2026 will particularly affect some of the most vulnerable people and families in the community who depend on the NDIS for essential support, dignity, and independence.

They deserve space for careful consideration, informed debate, and meaningful engagement - not haste.

As Dr Jerry Nockles - Leading Catholic Social Services Australia reflects:

“We encourage all decision-makers to support a transparent enquiry process that allows these important reforms to be fully and thoughtfully considered.”

Because when policy is shaped with openness and care, it better serves the common good.

Read the full media release here: https://cssa.org.au/taxation-changes-and-ndis-reform/