Victorian Council of Social Service

If skills, training, or workforce development is part of your work - or relevant to the people your support - the 2026 Victorian Budget had things you should know about.

We've gone through it in detail so you don't have to. Our analysis covers the expanded Free TAFE investment, the new TAFE Centres of Excellence, what's missing for students, and more.

A deep dive on the 2026 Victorian Budget Our analysis of the 2025 Victorian Budget

If you live in social housing, apartments, retirement homes or a caravan park, you may be part of what’s often called an “embedded network” for buying essential energy.

This means that you are locked into one provider, which enables energy businesses to set prices without fear of customers looking for cheaper deals. As a result, people on embedded networks may pay higher prices for energy.

VCOSS welcomes the news that the Victorian Government will be consulting on reforms to embedded networks, including pricing regulation to lower bills.

They have also announced that they will consult on new consumer protections for shared services like bulk hot water, and bulk air conditioning, which is another underregulated part of the energy system.

Energy is an essential service, one that people cannot live a healthy and dignified life without.

VCOSS looks forward to working with the Victorian Government on this crucial area of reform, to improve everyone’s access to affordable and renewable energy.

Find out more: https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/lower-energy-prices-embedded-networks

National Reconciliation Week is a time to recognise the strength, leadership and enduring cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme speaks to the shared part we all play in reconciliation through listening, learning, truth-telling and action.

At VCOSS, we support and value the work of First Nations communities and organisations across Victoria, and the importance of self-determination in building a fairer future.

Reconciliation is ongoing work. This week is an opportunity to reflect on where progress has been made, and the changes still needed to achieve justice and equity.

We’re 'All In' for reconciliation 🖤💛❤️

"National Sorry Day reminds us that the legacy of these government policies is not confined to the past, and that real change requires governments to invest in Aboriginal-led solutions that keep children safe, connected, and thriving in Community."

Today, on National Sorry Day, we stand with our ACCO members and all First Nations communities in paying tribute to the resilience and survival of the Stolen Generations. We also commit to remain present to what is ongoing, recognising that the racist conditions that enabled those policies have not disappeared. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Today, on National Sorry Day, we come together to reflect, remember, and honour the strength, resilience, and survival of the Stolen Generations.

Each year on 26 May, we acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families, Communities, cultures, and Countries under past government policies.

National Sorry Day is not only a time to remember the pain and trauma caused by these policies, but also to honour the Survivors, families, and Communities who continue to carry this truth and lead healing for future generations.

We also acknowledge the many ACCOs, Elders, advocates, and frontline workers who tirelessly support Survivors, reconnect families and Communities, strengthen culture, and help lead healing from these ongoing traumas.

While we reflect on the past, we must also recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children continue to be removed from their families at disproportionately high rates today.

National Sorry Day reminds us that the legacy of these government policies is not confined to the past, and that real change requires governments to invest in Aboriginal-led solutions that keep children safe, connected, and thriving in Community.

Today, we stand with Stolen Generations Survivors and all those still healing.

Mob, if you need to talk to someone, call Yarning Safe N Strong 24/7 for free, confidential, and Culturally-safe support. - 1800 959 563

Climate change is here. Adapting to its impacts is not an optional extra – it is a social and economic imperative. In Australia, disasters cost the economy around $38 billion a year, along with unquantifiable suffering and ecological destruction.

A new report from VCOSS, 'Community-led climate adaptation: Case studies from Victorian communities', explores some models the community sector already has in place for this vital capacity- and resilience-building work.

Read the report here:

Community-led climate adaptation: Case studies from Victorian communities The case studies in this report explore models the community sector has in place for the vital capacity- and resilience-building work of adapting to climate change.

If cost-of-living pressures are hitting you or your clients hard, the 2026 Victorian Budget had things relevant to you.

We've gone through it so you don't have to. Our analysis covers what was funded across transport, food security, energy, financial counselling - highlighting what's welcome and where the gaps remain.

Read the VCOSS cost-of-living budget breakdown.

A deep dive on the 2026 Victorian Budget Our analysis of the 2025 Victorian Budget

Today is IDAHOBIT - International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexism, and Transphobia.

We marked it with a rainbow afternoon tea - and with our ongoing commitment to a Victoria where every person can live, work and love free from discrimination.

Happy IDAHOBIT everyone🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

If health is part of your work, in any of the myriad ways the community sector supports the health of Victorians, the 2026 Victorian Budget had things worth knowing about.

We've gone through it - community health, mental health, First Nations health, women's health and more - so you don't have to. Our analysis covers what was funded, what it means for the people and communities you work with, and where investment still falls short.

Read the Victorian health breakdown below, and check out our full Budget analysis.

A deep dive on the 2026 Victorian Budget Our analysis of the 2025 Victorian Budget

VCOSS' in-depth analysis of the Victorian Budget is here.

We've gone through the details so our members can skip straight to what matters – significant initiatives, what's good, and what's missing – across every area of the community sector: health, housing, cost of living, climate, education, Family violence, and more.

Read the full breakdown below.

A deep dive on the 2026 Victorian Budget Our analysis of the 2025 Victorian Budget