Western Sydney Community Forum

Western Sydney Community Forum WSCF is the Greater Western Sydney peak organisation, working for communities to deliver better outcomes incorporating health, inclusion and social justice

WSCF is the Greater Western Sydney peak organisation addressing issues relating to social justice and inclusion. We encourage our audience to use common courtesy within our community and share their opinion and feedback in a respectful manner. We reserve the right to moderate all content and remove content or language considered offensive and to block users who do the following:
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The Digital Inclusion and Service Access Leadership Forum, held on 8 July 2026, brought together sector leaders to explo...
20/08/2026

The Digital Inclusion and Service Access Leadership Forum, held on 8 July 2026, brought together sector leaders to explore the vital role of digital access, confidence and literacy for the communities of Western Sydney.

Delivered in partnership with the Centre for Western Sydney, and Combined Pensioners & Superannuants Association (CPSA), the Forum featured The Hon Jihad Dib MP , Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government, and provided an important space for dialogue, shared learning, and leadership across the human services sector.

Thank you to all our speakers for their insights, and to everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion. Your engagement helps drive meaningful change in our communities.

The newly released Event Report captures key discussions, insights, and reflections from the day.

Follow the link below to read the full report and learn more about the state of digital inclusion and service access in Western Sydney:
https://wscf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Digital-Inclusion-and-Service-Access-Leadership-Forum-Post-event-Report-Final-Version.pdf

Western Sydney Community Forum was pleased to contribute to Dr Valentina Baú, Co-Director of Western Sydney University, ...
19/08/2026

Western Sydney Community Forum was pleased to contribute to Dr Valentina Baú, Co-Director of Western Sydney University, Humanitarian and Development Research Initiative, recently published Building Belonging: Social Cohesion in Western Sydney policy brief. The brief examines barriers to social cohesion and identifies strategies to strengthen community connections across the region. The brief outlines eight key policy recommendations informed by consultations with a range of community organisations. These recommendations include increasing investment in place-based organisations, building community trust, improving access to diverse, affordable and inclusive services, and supporting greater intercultural engagement. Overall, the report highlights the importance of fostering stronger social cohesion, particularly within the diverse communities of Western Sydney.

The policy brief can be found here:
https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/hadri/shared-media/social-cohesion-western-sydney.pdf

As demand across the human services sector continues to grow, the role of local, place‑based organisations has never bee...
17/08/2026

As demand across the human services sector continues to grow, the role of local, place‑based organisations has never been more critical. The organisations featured in our publication, Nurturing Communities from the Ground Up, demonstrate why investing in local knowledge, trust, and collaboration is essential to building resilient and thriving communities.

This publication aims to highlight the profound impact of these organisations across our region by sharing the lived experiences of service users and the perspectives of the organisations providing services to showcase how community‑led, place‑based approaches are strengthening communities and responding to complex local needs.

An updated version of this live publication has now been published, featuring Accessible Diversity Services Initiative Limited, alongside Canterbury City Community Centre, CORE Community Services, Liverpool Neighbourhood Connections, Richmond Community Services Inc., and The Parks Community Network Inc.

Read the updated publication here:
https://wscf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/UPDATED-Nurturing-Communities-From-the-Ground-Up-August-2026-1.pdf

Everyone should be able to access services, exercise their rights, and participate fully in community life. Yet for many...
13/08/2026

Everyone should be able to access services, exercise their rights, and participate fully in community life. Yet for many people across Western Sydney, socioeconomic disadvantage, systemic barriers, and unequal access to resources can make this difficult. The proposed Human Rights Bill 2025 presents an important opportunity to strengthen rights protections and promote greater equity for communities across NSW, particularly for those facing disadvantage and exclusion.

The NSW Legislative Assembly Committee on Community Services is currently conducting an Inquiry into the Human Rights Bill 2025, which proposes to establish a statutory human rights framework for NSW and strengthen protections for people's rights.

Drawing on consultations with community organisations and local councils across Western Sydney, Western Sydney Community Forum has lodged a submission to the Inquiry. Our submission welcomes the proposed Human Rights Bill and sets out six recommendations to help ensure the legislation delivers meaningful protections for all people in NSW.

Consultations with the community sector demonstrated strong support for a Human Rights Act as a vital mechanism for ensuring equitable and enforceable rights protections, particularly for vulnerable and disadvantaged communities.

We sincerely thank everyone across Western Sydney who contributed their insights and expertise to inform this submission.

Read our full submission here:
https://wscf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/NSW-Human-Rights-Bill-Submission.pdf

In July, the Western Sydney Community Forum team had the pleasure of visiting one of our member organisations, Lifeline ...
12/08/2026

In July, the Western Sydney Community Forum team had the pleasure of visiting one of our member organisations, Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney, in Camden.

As a not-for-profit community organisation, Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney provides critical support services across 16 local government areas throughout Sydney’s west and south-west, the Southern Highlands and Southern Tablelands, supporting approximately 3.5 million people.

It was inspiring to learn more about the organisation’s work and its commitment to supporting individuals and communities through a range of services that promote wellbeing, connection and resilience. We also valued the opportunity to hear about Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney’s priorities for the region and the important role it continues to play in strengthening local communities.

A huge thank you to Veronica Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer and the entire Lifeline Macarthur and Western Sydney team for their warm welcome, generosity and insights. We greatly appreciated the opportunity to connect and learn more about the impact of your work across Western Sydney and beyond.

Aged care is an ongoing priority for communities and service providers in Australia, where the proportion of people aged...
10/08/2026

Aged care is an ongoing priority for communities and service providers in Australia, where the proportion of people aged over 65 is increasing significantly. In November 2025, the Australian Senate voted to establish two Senate Inquiries into the ongoing aged care reforms, following the implementation of New Aged Care Act 2024. The first Senate Inquiry examined the proposed transition of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) to the Support at Home Program following 1 July 2027.

The current Inquiry is focused on matters relating to the Support at Home Program, which aims to ensure the ageing Australian population is provided tailored in-home support to live independently and safely in the comfort of their own homes. Informed by direct consultation with community organisations and local councils providing aged care services, Western Sydney Community Forum has put forward a submission to this Inquiry.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all those consulted across Western Sydney for their input and support.

Read our full submission here:

https://wscf.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/WSCF-Submission-Support-at-Home-Senate-Inquiry-website-version.pdf

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT FRAMEWORK Continuous improvement is an ongoing process of systematically identifying and implemen...
07/08/2026

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT FRAMEWORK

Continuous improvement is an ongoing process of systematically identifying and implementing changes to improve efficiency, effectiveness, quality, or other defined outcomes. Western Sydney Community Forum has developed the Continuous Improvement Framework for the Western Sydney services industry and informed by practices shared by community organisations in the region.

Developing a collective approach to continuous improvement is a powerful way to foster a culture of shared responsibility and commitment to sustained engagement with systematic processes of improvement. A collective approach promotes the sharing of knowledge and best practice. By adopting a broad mindset of continuous improvement, opportunities to improve the community service system can be identified and harnessed more effectively.

The purpose of this framework is to provide a collective resource which organisations can utilise when planning and engaging in continuous improvement activities to support the delivery of quality person-centred services, which improve outcomes and access for clients.

To download the Framework, click the link below:
https://lnkd.in/gdKSuiES

Western Sydney Community Forum hosted an in-home aged care Roundtable with The Hon Sam Rae, Minister for Aged Care and S...
05/08/2026

Western Sydney Community Forum hosted an in-home aged care Roundtable with The Hon Sam Rae, Minister for Aged Care and Seniors in Parramatta last week. The Roundtable brought together leaders from place-based organisations in the Western Sydney aged care sector who were able to engage directly with the Minister in an intimate setting.

Billie Sankovic, set the scene highlighting the importance of understanding local communities in the design and implementation of policy and programs, especially when considering the complexity, diversity and the extensive geography of Western Sydney.

The discussion with Minister Sam Rae MP, highlighted key priorities for Western Sydney including continuity of care by CHSP providers for Elders after transitioning into Support at Home, the critical need for culturally competent and safe care, and the need of providing clarity regarding the reforms to service providers and clients. The roundtable highlighted the importance of knowledge sharing within the aged care sector to strengthen and inform the sector’s practice.

The roundtable was a valuable discussion regarding the aged care service system in Western Sydney in the context of ageing populations, increasing demand, and the growing complexity of Western Sydney’s community needs.
A heartfelt thank you to The Hon Sam Rae and all those that attended. Your engagement helps drive meaningful outcomes in our communities. A summary report will be published soon, with key insights of the discussion and next steps.

To stay connected and follow our work in this space, visit https://wscf.com.au or join our mailing list.

Merana Aboriginal Community Association for the Hawkesbury INC
Sydney Region Aboriginal Corporation
Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council
Western Sydney University
Western Sydney MRC
Arab Council Australia
Accessible Diversity Services Initiative Limited
City of Parramatta
Richmond Community Services Inc.
North West Community Services
The Parks Community Network Inc
CASS Care
Canterbury City Community Centre -
Karabi Community & Development Services Inc.

Join us at the Western Sydney Regional Community Care Forum on Wednesday 19 August in Parramatta! Western Sydney Commun...
03/08/2026

Join us at the Western Sydney Regional Community Care Forum on Wednesday 19 August in Parramatta!

Western Sydney Community Forum invites staff working across the aged care, disability and community care sectors to connect, learn and stay informed on the latest developments impacting our region.

Hear important updates from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing on aged care reform and transition, alongside a presentation from SydWestcares Multicultural Services. The forum will also provide valuable networking and consultation opportunities.

Join colleagues from across Western Sydney to discuss current priorities, share insights and strengthen sector connections.

Follow the link below to register:
https://events.humanitix.com/western-sydney-regional-community-care-forum?mc_cid=876e1c75fa&mc_eid=1318aad900

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EMBEDDING LIVED EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNANCE TOOL This resource is designed to support the integra...
31/07/2026

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND EMBEDDING LIVED EXPERIENCE IN GOVERNANCE TOOL

This resource is designed to support the integration of lived experience into the community services sector, highlighting practice examples of how community engagement and embedding lived experience have already been implemented in the Western Sydney context.

Embedding lived experience in governance in the community services sector is important because it supports the development of an integrated service system which recognises the knowledge and the expertise of the people who engage with it. This is vital to ensure that the service system is fit-for-purpose, with the perspectives, experiences, priorities, and lived realities of services users being considered throughout planning and decision-making processes.

The development of this resource has been informed by a range of community organisations and service providers operating across multiple areas of community services in the region. The aim is that the sector will be able to use this engagement and governance tool and its strategies to embed lived experience at each stage of service delivery.

To download the Tool, click the link below:
https://lnkd.in/ghRbXRSw

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