The Blueprint Expert Reference Group (BERG) is proud to have now officially handed the Blueprint for the National Not-for-Profit Sector (the Blueprint) to the Federal Government.
This Blueprint shows clearly the enormous role the sector performs across Australia. We now look forward to engaging with the Federal Government and the wider parliament to ensure that the Blueprint is faithfully and fully enacted.
In the immediate term, the BERG wants to see swift action on the Blueprint. Firstly, we call on the Federal Government to issue a detailed, written response to the Blueprint and each of its initiatives, by 31 March 2025. We expect this response to include a proposed timeframe for implementation, including funding for ongoing activities.
Secondly, we call on all sitting members in the Federal Parliament to review and support the Blueprint, commit to its goals, and assist in its implementation.
Thirdly, we encourage charities and NFP organisations across our communities to examine the initiatives set out in the Blueprint, and to support our calls for full implementation.
In the interim, BERG will continue to call for action by raising awareness of the Blueprint, continuing to engage in conversations across the Sector regarding its contents, and holding the Federal Government, and the wider parliament, to account for its implementation.
The Federal Government has previously committed to work in partnership with the community services sector. BERG expects the government to extend this level of commitment to the NFP more broadly, as we now focus on implementing the Blueprint.
The Blueprint, developed by representatives and experts from the Not-for-Profit (NFP) Sector, sets out a 10-year vision for the future of the sector. It contains a framework, core initiatives and an implementation approach designed to ensure we have a strong and thriving sector that can continue to support Australia’s people, communities and environment.
The Blueprint contains 18 key initiatives organised across three strategic pillars:
- Pillar One: An enabling operational and regulatory environment for the NFP sector to thrive;
- Pillar Two: A people-led and purpose driven NFP Sector; and
- Pillar Three: An adaptive and dynamic forward-focused NFP Sector.
Within the 18 initiatives, immediate and pressing sector priorities comprise the following:
- Broadening and simplifying the deductible gift recipient (DGR) system (Initiative 2);
- Supporting NFP advocacy and the work of peak bodies (Initiative 3);
- Improving the financial sustainability of the NFP Sector, including appropriate indexation and promoting the benefits of full cost funding (Initiative 4);
- Actively supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander self-determination and community control (Initiative 8); and
- Enabling the NFP sector to contribute to and benefit from digital transformation, including investment in the sector’s digital capability (Initiative 13).
The Blueprint is a starting point, not an end position, for long-term meaningful reform that will increase the capability and sustainability of the NFP Sector. It is the culmination of nearly two years’ work for the BERG, supported by a Secretariat in the Department of Social Services, incorporating significant public consultation.
Indeed, throughout this process, we have sought to faithfully reflect and represent the interests of the wider sector. While the government resourced the Secretariat, the government did not pay BERG members for their work, with resourcing of their efforts falling to already underfunded community sector organisations.
Each BERG member extends their deepfelt appreciation for the contributions and suggestions provided by the sector, and the ensuing patience the sector demonstrated waiting for the Blueprint’s official release.
While development of the Blueprint was an election commitment from the government, the Blueprint is a plan that truly belongs to the NFP Sector. It has been carefully developed with, for and by NFP organisations across the country.
We consider the Blueprint an independent, non-partisan roadmap for reform, and we will be seeking support for its implementation from across the Federal Parliament.
Quotes from members of the Blueprint Expert Reference Group
“The community NFP sector is one of the most trusted and respected voices in national debates. Our sector connects people together, helps them in the hardest of times, and offers leadership for improving the lives of people across Australia. I call on the Prime Minister, Treasurer and key members of the Cabinet to back our sector on the investments we clearly need. We deliver every day, on the frontline delivering care in our communities. We now need the Government to deliver and play its part.” – Cassandra Goldie, CEO, ACOSS
“The Blueprint shows just how large and important the NFP Sector is to Australia’s social cohesion, prosperity and wellbeing. Millions of people around the country are directly involved with the NFP Sector each day. The question now is not if the Federal Government will act on the Blueprint, but when it will start implementing it.” - Toby O’Connor, CEO, St Vincent de Paul Society
“Members of the BERG have poured their time, energy and expertise into the Blueprint, and we will not be satisfied with it sitting on shelves. We call for a detailed action plan for implementation from the Federal Government, and support for it from across the Federal Parliament.” – Matt Gardiner, CEO, 54 Reasons
“This Blueprint shows clearly the role the sector plays in making Australia what it is and helping us hold a vision for the country we want to be. This Blueprint shows what we need from governments of all colours to support the sector that supports society, and we now look forward to engaging with this government and the next to ensure that this blueprint is enacted.” – Kasy Chambers, Executive Director, Anglicare Australia
"The charity sector plays an important role in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sector so it's imperative any actions and commitments coming out of the BERG align with the Priority Reforms under Closing the Gap. Partnerships and shared decision making with Aboriginal community-controlled organisations are vital for effective spend of funding dollars.” - Catherine Liddle, CEO, SNAICC
“As the backbone of connected and thriving communities, the NFP sector plays a vital role in bringing people together and fostering a sense of belonging across the nation. The Blueprint offers a clear, evidence-based pathway to strengthen the NFP sector and address the challenges we face. We urge the government to accept the recommendations outlined in the Blueprint and commit to the solutions needed to ensure the sector can continue its critical work of enabling resilient, inclusive, and vibrant communities.” - Mark Pearce, CEO, Volunteering Australia
Blueprint is accessible via the Department of Social Services website.
For inquiries to the BERG, please contact Rob Sturrock, Program Director at the Australian Council of Social Service, robert@acoss.org.au
NFP Members of the Blueprint Expert Reference Group
- Matt Gardiner, CEO, 54 reasons
- Dr Cassandra Goldie AO, CEO, and Robert Sturrock, Program Director – Community Services, Australian Council of Social Service
- Kasy Chambers, Executive Director, Anglicare Australia
- Catherine Liddle, CEO, SNAICC – National Voice for our Children
- Mark Pearce, CEO, Volunteering Australia
- Mary Ann Baquero Geronimo, CEO, Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia
- Beth Hall, Director of Social Policy, Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia
- Toby oConnor, CEO, St Vincent de Paul Society National Council of Australia
- Jeff Smith, CEO, Disability Advocacy Network Australia
- Ian Hamm, Chair of the Board of Directors, First Nations Foundation