Policy submissions

Here you’ll find a wide selection of policy papers and submissions we’ve published. Each paper draws on our experience working with disadvantaged youth, families and communities.

Victorian Election Platform 2022
- 21 October 2022
Jesuit Social Services’ Victorian Election Platform 2022 calls for an interconnected social change agenda for the state.
Submission to the Adjourned Undertakings Consultation
- 17 October 2022
Read our submission to the Victorian Sentencing Advisory Council’s consultation into adjourned undertakings.
Submission to the Consultation on Victoria’s new Suicide Prevention and Response Strategy
- 14 September 2022
Jesuit Social Services welcomed the opportunity to contribute to the development of Victoria’s next Suicide Prevention and Response Strategy. We note the importance of this consultation, given that suicide continues to impact many individuals, families and communities in Victoria. In this submission, Jesuit Social Services Services advocates for a well-functioning mental health system that meets…
Federal Election 2022 platform: A blueprint for a just recovery
- 12 September 2022
The Federal Election result in May this year showed that people living in Australia want to see action on key issues including climate change, gender justice, and reducing poverty and inequality.
Submission in response to the draft National Disability Advocacy Framework
- 26 August 2022
We believe that every person living with a disability in Australia should have access to the opportunities in life that enable them to thrive. Jesuit Social Services expressed this vision in a submission to the redevelopment of Australia’s National Disability Advocacy Framework.
Submission to Victoria's inquiry into children affected by parental incarceration
- 18 May 2022
We know that when a person goes to prison their entire community and family, including children, are impacted. Limiting people’s involvement with the justice system by ensuring prison is reserved only as an option of last resort, and keeping families connected is the best way to prevent this harm from occurring. Jesuit Social Services was…
Victorian 2022-23 Pre-Budget Submission
- 28 April 2022
Many people in Victoria continue to experience persistent disadvantage that manifests in disengagement from school, joblessness, homelessness, substance misuse, family violence, contact with the justice system, mental ill-health, and trauma. These are complex challenges, especially because they intersect, interact, and are often intergenerational. The Victorian Government is to be commended for implementing several important initiatives…
Federal Election 2022 platform – A blueprint for a just recovery
- 21 April 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many pre-existing social and economic issues in Australia to the fore, from housing stress, to poverty, family violence, and insecure employment. As an organisation working with some of the most disadvantaged members of the community, we have witnessed firsthand the disproportionate impact of this crisis on already marginalised people and…
Dropping off the Edge – VicHealth report
- 4 April 2022
Dropping off the Edge 2021 was released in November 2021 and provides a comprehensive analysis of persistent and entrenched disadvantage across Australia, including a state-by-state analysis using 37 indicators as well as supporting qualitative research. This report, commissioned by VicHealth, presents Victoria-specific findings from Dropping off the Edge 2021 and has an added focus on…
Submission to the Review of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement
- 23 March 2022
Jesuit Social Services works with many people – especially those with mental health and substance misuse issues, newly-arrived refugees and migrants, those exiting prison, and those leaving out-of-home care – who are experiencing or have experienced homelessness, inappropriate or unsafe housing, housing instability and stress, and other forms of disadvantage in their lives. In our…

Policy submissions

Jesuit Social Services 2026 Annual Dinner