In the 2026-27 Budget, the Federal Government has an opportunity to build on the strengths of communities and families to deliver a significant shift in the way our country addresses inequality.
Every day, Jesuit Social Services works with people and communities dealing with complex disadvantage and violence, grappling with the impacts of climate change, and navigating complex government systems. We also see how resilient and adaptive individuals and communities can be, given the right enablers and opportunities. A meaningful investment by the Government in evidence-based prevention and early intervention can harness this resilience to break cycles of entrenched disadvantage, prevent harm, and reduce social and economic costs.
At a time when the federal budget is under significant strain and many Australians are struggling with the cost of living, government expenditure must be targeted to deliver strong outcomes for the Australian people. Prevention and early intervention offer a dual benefit for governments, particularly in a tight fiscal environment. They improve outcomes for individuals and communities while reducing demand for tertiary services.
This submission, provided in advance of the 2026-27 Federal Budget, provides a number of system-level recommendations that will support efforts to intervene earlier and break cycles of disadvantage, and recommendations for specific initiatives which can help move the needle for those in our society experiencing acute disadvantage.
By investing upstream and intervening to break cycles of violence and disadvantage, the Government can prevent harm before it occurs, reduce the demands on crisis-driven and overburdened systems, and build the foundations for a more just, safe and inclusive Australia.
