Councils and communities across New South Wales are set to benefit from a major reform that promises to bring long-term stability to frontline support services, with the Minns Government unveiling its Secure Jobs and Funding Certainty (SJFC) Roadmap.
The roadmap introduces five-year funding contracts for community service providers – replacing the cycle of short-term, insecure grants that for years hampered local service planning and workforce retention.
The reform is expected to strengthen over 7,800 non-government organisations (NGOs) and support the 240,000 workers they employ, many of whom operate in partnership with local government and community infrastructure.
For councils, the move promises greater continuity and coordination with community sector partners, especially in high-need areas like homelessness, domestic violence, youth support, and mental health services.
The roadmap highlights the critical role councils play in fostering strong local partnerships and delivering place-based responses to complex social challenges.
The new framework is expected to boost regional service delivery in particular, with the sector forecast to grow by 27,000 jobs in regional NSW by 2030. Local governments stand to benefit from more stable collaborations, improved workforce attraction and retention, and reduced disruptions caused by contract churn.
Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said the reform delivers on a key election promise to improve sector sustainability and accountability.
“This is about backing the people who back our communities,” she said.
“Longer-term funding gives providers the stability to plan, invest and respond to the needs of the people they serve—not just survive from grant to grant.”
Councils will also see reduced duplication and red tape through a proposed community services prequalification scheme, allowing streamlined procurement and less administrative burden for trusted local providers.
The SJFC Roadmap was co-designed with sector peaks, government agencies, and the Australian Services Union, and is guided by a cross-sector leadership group.
Key elements include a new funding framework, a community services jobs compact to promote secure employment, and alignment with Closing the Gap priorities.
With implementation already underway, councils are encouraged to engage with regional providers and state partners to ensure local priorities are reflected in the rollout of these reforms.
