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We’re updating our website following the changes to departmental responsibilities announced in May 2023.

Funding declarations under the Community Services Act

Funding is provided under the Community Services Act 2007 (the Act) to only services listed as a funding declaration.

A declaration can apply the Act to a funding program or to individual funding contracts.

The Minister considers several factors when deciding whether to make a funding declaration, such as:

  • the type of product or service being provided with the funding
  • the importance of the product or service to meeting the needs of an individual, group or community
  • the characteristics and vulnerability of users of the product or service
  • the amount of funding being provided.

Please note that the issuing of new Funding Declarations does not supersede or replace any earlier declarations.

Future changes

As community needs change, departmental investments will transition to meet these changes. Updated funding declarations will be made to safeguard our investments.

Actions for funded organisations

Funded organisations do not need to do anything to give effect to these declarations.

Organisations’ service agreements with the department continue and do not need to change.

Please note that the terms and conditions of the Community Services Act 2007 apply to the funding under the declaration, and will need to be complied with by the organisation as applicable.

2022 funding declaration

View the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy Funding Declaration 2022 (PDF, 73.13 KB) which commenced 15 August 2022. This funding declaration applies the Act to all funding provided under Investment specifications approved by the Director-General.

2021 funding declaration

View the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy Funding Declaration 2021 (PDF, 147.61 KB) which commenced 1 August 2021. This funding declaration applies the Act to all funding provided under Investment specifications approved by the Director-General.

2016 funding declaration

On 3 November 2016, the Minister for Housing and Public Works signed the Department of Housing and Public Works Funding Declaration 2016 (PDF, 18.74 KB).

The Act applies to funding under the Dignity First Fund initiative.

The 2014 funding declaration continues to apply to service types outlined in the Guidelines for specialist homelessness services.

2014 funding declaration

On 17 November 2014, the former Minister for Housing and Public Works, made the Department of Housing and Public Works Funding Declaration 2014 (PDF, 34.56 KB).

This declaration applies the Act to all homelessness funding for service types outlined in the Guidelines for specialist homelessness services.

Service agreements with the department continue and don’t need to change as a result of the declaration.​

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Last updated: 
5 September 2022