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
Waves of Hope: weaving new stories across Oceania
President Rev Charissa Suli has joined theologians, church leaders and practitioners from across Oceania in Fiji for the Association of Practical Theology in Oceania (APTO) Conference last week. Gathered around the theme “Waves of Hope: Storied Theology for the Whole of Life,” the Presidnet delivered an international keynote, “Building Community; Creating a New Story in…
Held Together begins with listening
Held Together begins with listening President Rev Charissa Suli and leaders of the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress gathered on Ngarrindjeri Country to commission an artwork that will speak to the heart of the upcoming conference.“May it be a blessing. May it tell a story. May it build relationship. And may it help…
Call for nominations for President-elect and 18th Assembly representatives
The Uniting Church in Australia is beginning an important process of discernment to identify the next President-elect of the Assembly. Ahead of the 18th Assembly, the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC), Presbyteries and Synods have the privilege and opportunity to identify people who may be nominated for election as President-elect (Reg. 3.6.4.1). Nominations…
Celebrations and stories of healing in Alice Springs
Stories of Healing: Alice Springs marks 100 years of Adelaide House and 70 years of the John Flynn Memorial ChurchIn the red centre of Australia, members of the Uniting Church community gathered on 12–13 September to honour two milestones of faith, care and resilience: the centenary of Adelaide House and 70 years of the John…
Pacific women call for climate action that begins with their communities
Pacific women call for climate action that begins with their communities From Tuvalu, Pacific women are calling on world leaders to listen deeply, strengthen community leadership and pursue climate action grounded in local experience and wisdom.For the women who gathered in Tuvalu this September, climate justice reaches into the everyday work of keeping communities safe.…
Bearing witness to Palestinian Christian voices
Bearing witness to Palestinian Christian voicesAs World Week for Peace in Palestine and Israel takes place this week, the Uniting Church is invited to listen, pray and stand in solidarity with communities longing for peace and justice. In July this year, the Uniting Church hosted two Palestinian Christians as part of the “Bearing Witness: Palestinian…
President’s Prayer for the UN International Day of Peace
President’s Prayer for the United Nations International Day of Peace The United Nations International Day of Peace, commemorated on 21 September, brings people around the world together to reflect on the urgent work of building and sustaining peace. The 2026 theme, “Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day” highlights that peace is…
Come, Taste and See: Feast of Faith 2026
Come, Taste and See: Feast of Faith 2026 Young adults and emerging leaders gathered for this year’s Feast of Faith, discovering God’s goodness through worship, fellowship, storytelling and shared cultural experiencesEarlier this month, second-generation young adults and emerging leaders from intercultural communities across the Uniting Church gathered in Merricks, Victoria for Feast of Faith 2026.…