NCOSS Update: Fuel Cost and Supply Security #2

On Thursday 16 April, NCOSS held a forum with the CEOs of NSW social service sector peak body organisations to discuss the most pressing concerns and how we could present a unified voice to government.

These are the major concerns we heard at the meeting:

1. Financial & Operational Strain 

Unfunded Costs: Organisations are facing rising service delivery expenses that are not covered by current funding models.

Workforce Challenges: High transport costs are making it increasingly difficult to maintain a stable workforce, especially in rural and remote regions.

2. Barriers to Access & Mobility 

Client Hardship: Many individuals can no longer afford the transport necessary to reach essential medical care, including dialysis, specialist appointments, and medications.

Service Impact: When clients cannot attend programs, it creates “hidden consequences” and disrupts the overall effectiveness of service delivery.

3. Disparities in Vulnerable Communities 

Inconsistent Support: Maintaining continuity of care is becoming precarious for First Nations communities, people with disabilities, and those in remote areas.

Definition of Need: There is no shared definition of “fuel need,” creating a risk that support is allocated based on visibility rather than actual necessity.

4. Administrative & Communication Gaps 

Government Coordination: There is a notable lack of clear communication from the government regarding future steps.

Priorities  

Below are the top priorities participants ranked as important policy options to help alleviate financial strain on vulnerable communities:

1. COVID-style “recovery” payment and allowance
2. Emergency Relief – vouchers for food, transport, medicine
3. Income support payment increase
4. Low Income Household Rebate
5. EAPA vouchers
6. Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation (IPTAAS)
7. National Electricity Bill Relief

And the following are priorities identified that could give financial support for the sector:

1. Surge funding to ensure continuity of support
2. Classification as essential service to guarantee fuel access
3. Increase annual indexation to reflect fuel and associated costs
4. Reduce/freeze insurance premiums and PLSL levy costs
5. Additional funding to Emergency Relief providers; reduce access requirements

NCOSS Advocacy 

NCOSS has been taking part in joint advocacy with ACOSS and the national network of Councils of Social Service, including meeting with Minister Plibersek and providing feedback to the Department of Social Security to inform their strategy​.

We have also been actively representing the social sector in NSW through the following channels:

– Discussions with Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), Minister Washington, Minister Sharpe, Treasurer and Premier ​

– Attending Minister Sharpe’s stakeholder roundtables on 1 and 15 April to represent the sector​

– Discussion with Anthony Lean, Secretary of the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) and NSW State Fuel Coordinator on 9 April​

Future meetings:

– DCJ is coordinating a meeting for NCOSS with several other government agencies​ on 1 May

– NSW MPs fuel security briefing on 6 May

NCOSS has developed a Fuel Security Key Messages document to help you and our sector speak in a united voice. Please use this when you are meeting with decision makers.

NCOSS Survey 

For NCOSS to effectively advocate for our sector it’s vital we hear from you about how the fuel affordability is impacting your organisation, and the people and communities you support.

Even if you’ve already completed our survey, please take two minutes to fill it out again. We are looking for an update on responses we received four weeks ago, to gauge how the situation is progressing, and what the most critical current and emerging impacts.

If you’re interested in sharing your story with the media or government officials, please email us at fuelsecurity@ncoss.org.au.

Take the survey here. 

Next Steps 

NCOSS will continue to provide the NSW Government with evidence-based recommendations on how best to support our sector. We will issue further updates as the situation develops.

Get Involved: 

To share how your organisation or community is being impacted, or if you are willing to speak with the media or government officials, please email: fuelsecurity@ncoss.org.au.