RESOURCES & SERVICES
Community Engagement and Embedding Lived Experience in Governance Tool
This tool, developed by Western Sydney Community Forum, is designed to support the integration of lived experience into the community services sector, highlighting practice examples of ways that community engagement and embedding lived experience have already been implemented in the Western Sydney context. The development of this resource has been informed by a range of community organisations and service providers operating across multiple areas of community services in the region. The aim is that the sector will be able to use this engagement and governance tool and its strategies to embed lived experience at each stage of service delivery.
Western Sydney Community Services Industry Continuous Improvement Framework
Western Sydney Community Forum has developed a Continuous Improvement Framework for the Western Sydney community services industry, informed by practices shared by community organisations in the region. The purpose of this framework is to provide a collective resource which organisations can utilise when planning and engaging in continuous improvement activities to support the delivery of quality person-centred services, which improve outcomes and access for clients.
Grant Opportunity: Healthy Ageing for Older LGBTQIA+ People
Pride Foundation Australia is calling for grant applications for their small grant round to fund projects that support healthy ageing for older LGBTQIA+ people. Projects must have a direct or indirect benefit to the community; projects which are creative, innovative, or serve as partnerships between individuals and organisations will be regarded favourably. The deadline for this round of funding is 11.59pm AEST on 13 July 2026.
Palliative Care Learning Modules
Aged care nurses, care workers and allied health professionals can access the palliAGED Introduction Modules to develop a better understanding of palliative and end-of-life care. Modules cover self-care, conversation starters for talking about dying, recognising signs of deterioration, principles of pain management, and strategies for delivering care in line with the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. Each module takes less than 10 minutes, and a certificate will be presented on completion.
Grant Opportunity GO8264: Disability Peer Support and Connections Program 2026-27
This grant opportunity is part of reforming the current Information, Linkages and Capacity Building (ILC) program. The next phase of the reform includes this new Disability Peer Support and Connections (DPSC) Program. The total amount available is $517 million, which is split across three streams: Individual and Family Capacity Building, Community Capacity Building, and Information, Advice and Referral. Successful organisations will be funded to deliver activities that strengthen support networks, including peer support networks, empower people with disability, and foster meaningful connections across diverse communities. Applicants may apply for more than one stream, with a separate application for each stream. The deadline for this opportunity is 2.00pm (ACT Local Time) on 2 July 2026.
Grant Opportunity GO8390: Disability Advocacy Support Program Service Delivery
This grant opportunity sits under the broader Disability Advocacy Support Program, along with National Advocacy Helpline and Sector Strengthening. This Service Delivery grant will fund organisations to provide individual disability advocacy to people with disability, their families, carers and kin in defined service areas nationally. Six year grants will be offered to successful applicants, or three year grants if they do not fully meet the desired capabilities. Eligibility criteria applies, and the deadline is 2.00pm (ACT Local Time) on 16 July 2026. Contact Health Grants Team at [email protected] for more information.
Online Module: Recognising and Reducing Ageism
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has developed a new training online module to equip service providers and workers with the knowledge on how to identify and respond to ageism. This aims to reduce the instances of ageism and improve the health, wellbeing and quality of life of older people. Participants can complete this module through the Alis learning platform.
LiveUp First Nations Healthy Ageing Video and Resources
LiveUp, in collaboration with Campfire x and Yula Punaal Education and Healing Centre on Awabakal Country, has developed a new video sharing the stories and wisdom of Uncle Victor Wright (Dunghutti), co-founder of the Koori Knockout. LiveUp also has a number of First Nations resources co-created with community, to support independence, connection, and strong ageing on Country and in community.
Release of Annual Pricing Review and Pricing Schedule for 2026-27 Prices
The annual pricing review (APR) for 2026-27 prices and NDIS pricing schedule are now available on the NDIS website. These provide guidance for service providers to set appropriate prices for NDIS services for 2026-27. From 1 July 2026, providers can use the NDIS Pricing Schedule to inform their prices, after discussing the proposed changes and seeking agreement from participants. Previous pricing updates and schedules are also available on the website.
Aboriginal Mental Health First Aid for CHSP Program Staff in Western Sydney
Gilgai Aboriginal Centre is providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for staff working within CHSP funded services in Western Sydney. This training will equip staff with practical skills to support a person with a mental health problem, including how to recognise common mental health issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and how to be able to provide evidence-based support to them especially in crisis situations. The training will be held in Mt Druitt on 13 and 14 July. Contact [email protected] for more information and to enrol. Places are strictly limited.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT & RESOURCES
Western Sydney Community Forum 2026 Community Care Forum Calendar
Throughout the year, Western Sydney Community Forum delivers a range of events to support organisations and their staff to engage with others in the sector and stay up to date with reforms, training, and best practice. These include Community Care Forums tailored to those on the front line of the aged care, disability and community care sectors, and Community Care Leaders Forums to provide leaders, managers and CEOs with the latest resources, collaboration and training opportunities across Western Sydney. To get ahead on these events, as well as access information on related forums convened by others in the Western Sydney region, see our 2026 Community Care Forum Calendar.
Policy and Practice Support and Advisory Service
Western Sydney Community Forum provides a support and advisory service to disability advocacy organisations, CHSP providers and other community organisations. This service provides assistance with enquiries relating to policy, governance and operations and on a range of areas including sector reform and impact on operations, evaluation and measurement, leading consultation, engagement and inclusive practices, and much more.
First Nations CHSP Support Advisory Service
A First Nations CHSP support advisory service is offered to providers by Gilgai Aboriginal Centre. This is to support First Nations organisations and CHSP providers who work with First Nations older people. For more information, contact Gilgai on 02 9832 3825 or at [email protected].
First Nations CHSP Volunteer Workforce Advisory Service
Gilgai Aboriginal Centre provides a CHSP Volunteer Workforce Advisory Service to organisations and CHSP providers that work with First Nations older people. For more information or to access the service, contact Gilgai on 02 9832 3825 or at [email protected].
Aboriginal Translation Services Support
Gilgai Aboriginal Centre can provide a translation service for print and CHSP and aged care resources into Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. This will assist in supporting older people to navigate the aged care system, particularly people with diverse needs and to support CHSP providers in engagement with First Nations older people. For more information, contact Gilgai on 02 9832 3825 or at [email protected].
Customised Training and In-House Facilitation
Western Sydney
Community Forum can deliver customised training and in-house facilitation
services to the human services industry. The facilitators’ areas of speciality include
(but are not limited to) strategic and business planning, project planning and
development, and review and evaluation sessions. And training can be tailored and delivered at a venue of your choosing,
and can cover areas such as governance, leadership and evaluation. Our members
are also entitled to subsidised services.
Western Sydney Community Forum Affordable Translation Services
Western Sydney Community Forum offers a trusted document translation service for small and large organisations and businesses. We use NAATI-accredited translators with expertise in translating a range of documents to assist with your service delivery, from simple brochures to complex and sensitive publications. Members can access this service at a subsidised cost.
For more information, contact [email protected].
Community Care News Digest Feedback Survey
The News Digest is primarily focused on disseminating information about aged care and older people, and disability and disability advocacy. It also shares information that is useful to people working with people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, LGBTIQA+ communities, and people with disability, and other areas that may intersect with aged care and the older population. We welcome feedback on how you use the News Digest, whether the information distributed has been valuable for your work, and if there is anything else you would like to see added into the Digest. The survey will remain open for ongoing feedback.
My Aged Care consumer resources
The My Aged Care website features a range of resources for you to share with consumers about how to get started with My Aged Care.
These resources include case study videos for:
- people who speak languages other than English
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- You can view or download all of these resources from the My Aged Care website.
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