Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS)

The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) is the peak council of the community services and welfare sector. Established in 1956, ACOSS is the national voice for the needs of people affected by poverty and inequality.

ACOSS’s vision is a fair, inclusive and sustainable Australia where all individuals and communities have the resources they need to participate in and benefit from social and economic life.

The aims of ACOSS are to reduce poverty and inequality by developing and promoting socially, economically and environmentally responsible public policy and action by government, community and business while supporting non-government organisations which provide assistance to vulnerable Australians.

Through its network of National Members, ACOSS links community and welfare services in every corner of Australia by bringing together:

• eight State and Territory Councils of Social Service which represent thousands of front-line community agencies
• national peak organisations of consumers and service providers
• national religious and secular welfare agencies (including the Salvation Army, UnitingCare, Anglicare, Catholic Welfare and the Smith Family
• low income consumer groups such as the National Council for Single Mothers and their Children and the People with Disabilities Australia.

National Member Organisations and State Councils of Social Service are also represented on the ACOSS Board. Many state and local organisations and individuals also support ACOSS’s work by being Associate Members.