UnitingCare Australia advocacy makes an impact
April 1, 2026
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.
UnitingCare Australia, a key agency of the Uniting Church in Australia, has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement today of an additional $11.7 million investment in emergency relief and financial counselling services for Australians in need due to rising cost-of-living pressures.
Tamara Thomas, the National Director of UnitingCare Australia, today expressed gratitude for the great effort from member organisations in assembling and providing the most up to date and relevant data to facilitate a very persuasive case being put to government. Across the country, frontline services are seeing demand rise sharply. Every emergency relief service is experiencing increased demand, with many reporting significant growth and changes in who needs help, including more people in paid work and families with children.
Ms Thomas stated: “We commend the Government for listening and responding to our call to support people doing it toughest and the frontline services holding communities together during a deeply challenging time.”
The additional funding includes:
- $8.5 million for Commonwealth-funded Emergency Relief providers.
- $1 million in targeted additional support related to Cyclone Narelle.
- $2.24 million for Financial Wellbeing Hubs and financial counselling in high-needs and disaster-prone areas.
This timely support will make a significant difference to thousands of families and individuals most in need. The Government announcement reflects a dynamic and fast-moving advocacy effort by UnitingCare Australia, working in conjunction with the other major church social services providers.
As fuel supply volatility and scarcity continues to unfold, UnitingCare Australia sees this funding as a vital step in the Government’s broader response as it works through its plan to keep Australia moving.
“Emergency relief and financial counselling are a critical safety net,” Ms Thomas said. As cost-of-living pressures continue, our government must keep acting – not only to stabilise services now, but to support people earlier and prevent hardship from escalating.”
Emergency relief plays a critical role in helping people through immediate crises, but Ms Thomas warned that demand will remain high without broader action on the cost of living, housing, and income support.
UnitingCare Australia is one of the largest networks of social services providers in Australia, delivering 5.8 million interactions each year across urban, rural and remote communities.
The UnitingCare network is powered by over 55,000 staff and 17,000 volunteers and have proudly been there for all Australians for more than 100 years.
UnitingCare Australia is a national advocate for social justice, working across party lines to give a voice to the most vulnerable in our community.
More news from the Assembly
UnitingCare Australia advocacy makes an impact
UnitingCare Australia advocacy makes an impactSubscribe to our newsletterIf you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox.UnitingCare Australia, a key agency of the Uniting Church in Australia, has welcomed the Federal Government’s announcement today of an additional $11.7 million investment in emergency relief and financial…
Faithful keeper of memory
Faithful keeper of memory Christine Gordon celebrates 25 years preserving the Uniting Church’s story, faithfully safeguarding its history and memory for future generationsThis Friday marks a remarkable milestone for Christine Gordon, who celebrates 25 years as Archivist for the Uniting Church in Australia Assembly, a role she has embraced with passion and unwavering commitment. “I…
Encountering the Living God as we journey toward Easter
Encountering the Living God as we journey toward Easter Assembly General Secretary Andrew Johnson reflects on encountering the Living God – and invites the Church to seek and trust that presence anew this Easter by Andrew Johnson, Assembly General Secretary On Monday evening in Holy Week, I sat in a Eucharistic service followed by the…
President’s Easter Message 2026
Peace BeWith You Easter messages from the President and Moderators of the Uniting Church in Australia In a world that can feel loud, anxious, and divided, Easter arrives with a quiet but powerful word: peace. This Easter, Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, offers a message drawn from the heart…
This is my Uniting Church: South Perth UC
This is my Uniting Church South Perth Uniting Church ‘This is my Uniting Church’ is a series that delves into the stories and faces of our local congregations and communities of faith: the beating heart of the Uniting Church! In this edition, we shine the spotlight on a Uniting Church located in Western Australia. It’s…
ABC interview: Speaking out on Gendered Violence
Speaking out on Gendered Violence Uniting Church President Rev Charissa Suli recently spoke with ABC Radio on churches’ role in confronting gendered violence and promoting safety, dignity and compassion Subscribe to our newsletter If you want to get the latest news from the Uniting Church in Australia then subscribe to our weekly newsletter…
President reflects on Gendered Violence Conference
Gendered Violence Conference: Restoring what has been bent The President offers this pastoral reflection following The Wesley Centre Theology and Culture Conference on the topic of Gendered Violence By Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia Last month, I attended the Gendered Violence Conference hosted by Rev Associate Professor Robyn Whitaker,…
UCA Leaders gather for key week of discernment
Key week of discernment in shaping the Church’s future Last week, Leaders across the Uniting Church gathered for a pivotal time of meetings, shaping shared vision, national priorities and future direction Leaders from across the Uniting Church in Australia gathered in Sydney last week for a significant series of meetings, marking an important time…