South Australian Council of Social Service

30/10/2026

We’re hiring! Manager of Advocacy.

In this senior leadership role, you’ll lead our policy and advocacy team, build strong relationships, and turn evidence and community experience into meaningful change.

You’ll also help shape SACOSS’s organisational strategy, influencing the decisions that affect people’s everyday lives.

If you’re an experienced leader with a background in policy, advocacy, campaigning or stakeholder engagement and a commitment to social justice, we’d love to hear from you!

Find out more and apply online: https://www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/sacoss/manager-advocacy

(Image description: a SACOSS recruitment graphic with a gold background and red panel reading “We are hiring! Manager Advocacy”.)

28/10/2026

Thanks to Moira Jenkins Mayor, City of Victor Harbor, the City of Victor Harbor, and the many other organisations and stakeholders we've met on our trip to the Fleurieu this week!

I met with staff from South Australian Council of Social Services SACOSS today to talk about housing, homelessness and early‑intervention support here in Victor Harbor.

As Mayor I believe it is vital that Council works closely with organisations like SACOSS so we can better understand emerging needs, identify gaps in services, and strengthen the supports available to our community.

With strong relationships and open conversations like these, we can move forward together to make sure every person in Victor Harbor has the opportunity to thrive.

A big thank you to our community well-being team here at the City of Victor Harbor for providing early intervention services, community well being services and doing such a great job in ensuring that the vulnerable members of our community feel c***ected and cared for.

13/10/2026

New Australian Council of Social Service and UNSW research shows around three in four people in households mainly relying on JobSeeker or Youth Allowance lived below the poverty line in 2022-23.

This Anti-Poverty Week, we’re backing ACOSS’s call to raise income support and invest in social housing.

Add your voice to the call! Share this post and help keep the pressure on for change.

12/10/2026

Nobody should have to choose between a meal and their medicine. Or miss out on c***ecting with others because they can’t afford it. This Anti-Poverty Week, together with the Anti-Poverty Network SA, we’re highlighting five people sharing their five experiences to help us all build a fairer and better future.

Running from 11 to 17 October, the week is a call to understand poverty and take action to end it. Today, we’re sharing five stories from Tracey, Daniel, Samantha, Mel, and Oli. They speak about the toll on their health, the constant mental load, the barriers to participating in community life, and the consequences of systemic failure.

(Image descriptions: Image one: A collage of five people outdoors, holding up one to five fingers. Image two: A woman in a bright pink shirt sits on a garden bench with a dog at their feet. Image three: A man in a dark polo, cap and patterned shorts sits in a garden. Image four: A woman in a light striped shirt sits at a park picnic table. Image five: A woman dressed in black sits on a park bench beside a blue mobility walker. Image six: A person wearing glasses and patterned clothes leans on a footbridge railing.)

07/10/2026

For Mental Health Month this October, SACOSS member, the Mental Health Coalition of South Australia, are encouraging us all to make space for our wellbeing, recognise our limits, and find what works for us.

Plenty is happening across South Australia, so take a look at the events calendar, explore the resources, or share them with your workplace or community this month: https://mhcsa.org.au/mental-health-month/



(Image description: Bright yellow and orange illustrated poster with the words 'Find your way to wellbeing' and 'Mental Health Month, October 2026.' A person wearing an orange jacket, turquoise trousers and a shoulder bag strides along a tree-lined street with their arms outstretched in the centre of the image. Colourful puzzle pieces, leaves, a book, a flower, and a paintbrush float around them. Presenter and supporter logos and a QR code for more information appear along the bottom.)

Today is the first of October, and this month we are encouraging you to find your way to wellbeing.

With so much happening around us, it can be easy to feel the weight of the world - alongside the pressures of work, family, relationships and everything else life asks of us.

Mental Health Month 2026 is a reminder that it's okay to step back.

To be conscious of your capacity. To honour your limits. To make space for the things that support your wellbeing — without guilt.

And there's no single right way to do it.

Throughout October, we'll be sharing events, stories, creativity and opportunities to c***ect across South Australia as we invite everyone to **Find Your Way to Wellbeing**.

Across October, we'll be finding our way through creativity, laughter, c***ection, lived experience and community.
🎨 1 - 30 October: mindshare Visual Art Exhibition
🌿 2 October: mindshare Exhibition & Mental Health Month Launch
😂 8 October: Laughter is the Best of Meds
💬 16 October: Lived Experience Workforce Conference
💚 22 October: Carers Wellbeing Workshop

However you find your way, make it yours 🌿



https://mhcsa.org.au/mental-health-month/

30/09/2026

We’re hiring! Policy Officer - Energy and Water.

Bring your policy, research, and/or advocacy skills and experience to help advocate for fairer, stronger and better energy and water systems.

Find out more and apply online: www.ethicaljobs.com.au/members/sacoss/policy-officer-energy-and-water

(Image description: SACOSS recruitment graphic with a gold background and red panel reading “We are hiring! Policy Officer - Energy and Water”. Applications close at 5 pm on 13 October 2026. The SACOSS logo appears above, with “Justice, opportunity and shared wealth” below.)

29/09/2026

SACOSS member Hutt St Centre has teamed up with Rundna and 13 artists to turn plain white sneakers into artworks exploring identity, resilience, and hope.

Some of our favourites include Thom Buchanan’s 'Triangulation,' Erin Renfrey’s 'Putting Down Roots,' and Dan Withey's 'Right Left Left Right.'

These artworks and many like them are being auctioned to raise funds for Hutt St Centre’s work with people experiencing homelessness in South Australia. You can see them in person at RunDNA stores or place a bid online - but be quick! Bidding closes tomorrow, 30 September: https://huttst.org/SolePurpose

(Image descriptions: Image One - A pair of black New Balance sneakers covered in bright red, blue, yellow, and white triangles. Image Two - A colourful pair of sneakers with pink laces, painted vegetables and leafy patterns. One shoe is mainly pink and green; the other is orange and turquoise. Image Three - A pair of red, yellow, and white New Balance sneakers with bold black zigzags around the toes and graphic designs across the uppers. All shoes sit on a black Hutt St Centre display against a grey brick wall.)

24/09/2026

Thank you to Riverland community service providers who shared their experiences with us at a roundtable in Berri earlier this week.

We heard from local member and sector organisations about the challenges they face – but also how they finding new ways to support people through sharing knowledge and working collaboratively.

Thank you to the organisations represented, including ac.care, Relationships Australia SA, Our Town Berri, The Salvation Army Australia, KWY, Uniting Communities, Advocacy for Disability Access and Inclusion Inc, Mission Australia, Anglican Community Care, Zahra Foundation Australia, Community Justice Services SA, Believe Housing Australia, Sonder, Rural Business Support, Neami National, Ramble Arts, and Australian Red Cross.

Thank you also to Berri Barmera Council Mayor Ella Winnall for joining us and hearing directly from us and local service providers too.

17/09/2026

🖤💛❤️

Aboriginal people deserve respect, not racism.

SAACCON condemns Senator Pauline Hanson’s recent comments and stands with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples against racism, stereotypes and discrimination.

We will continue to advocate for self-determination, strong communities and the recognition of our strengths, cultures and leadership. 🖤💛❤️

Check out SAACCON's media statement:https://saaccon.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/SAACCON-Media-Statement-Response-to-Pauline-Hanson.pdf

16/09/2026

A BIG step forward for safer homes and communities. South Australia has become the first state in the country to introduce new safeguards for alcohol deliveries.

Deliveries will now be limited to between 10am and 10pm, with a two-hour pause between ordering and delivery.

“We commend Premier Peter Malinauskas and the South Australian Government for listening to victim-survivors and the community service organisations that support them. These are important public health reforms that will positively impact the health and wellbeing of our community.” says our CEO Dr Catherine Earl (pictured second from right.)

SACOSS is proud to stand alongside Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education - FARE, Embolden, and the many advocates who have worked to make this change possible.

Also pictured are (from left) FARE Lived Experience Advisor Kym Valentine, author and advocate Jess Hill, Minister for Human Services Katrine Hildyard MP, Minister for Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Alice Rolls MP - Member for Unley, FARE CEO Ayla Chorley, FARE Gendered Violence Prevention Director Katherine Berney, and FARE Policy and Research Director Dr Aimee Brownbill.

If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14, the Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline on 1800 250 015, or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.

[Image description: Eight women stand together smiling for a group photo inside the South Australian Parliament House with framed historical portraits visible behind them and patterned green carpet on the floor.]

Photo via: Katrine Hildyard MP