NSW State of the Community Sector Survey

NCOSS is launching the NSW State of the Community Sector Survey, with the University of NSW, and we want to hear your voice.

Building on the valuable Australian Community Sector Survey series conducted by ACOSS until 2023, this new survey will generate crucial data specific to the NSW context. It will enable NCOSS to provide ongoing, evidence-informed advice and strategies to stakeholders and decision-makers about what’s needed to strengthen the sector’s financial and workforce sustainability.

With the 2027 NSW State Election approaching, hard data will help us fight for better funding, improved resources, and stronger support for the vital work you do.

Yours and every voice counts. Our strength is in our united voice. 

Take the survey here.

We want to hear your reality on the ground, including:

• How your organisation is managing financially and whether your funding is adequate.
• Your experience with workforce issues, including staff well-being, pay, and recruitment.
• Whether you have the resources to keep up with rising community demand.
• What you see as the biggest challenges and priorities over the next five years.

How you can participate:  

We invite anyone working in a community sector organisation in NSW to participate. The survey is voluntary and takes around 15 minutes to complete.  Choosing not to take part will not affect your relationship with NCOSS, your employer, or The University of New South Wales.

If you do participate, at the end of the survey you will be given the option to go into a prize draw to win one of 4 x $200 online shopping vouchers (Giftpay), as a token of our appreciation.

To start the survey, click on the link or scan the QR code below. Full information about the study and the Participant Information and Consent Sheet can be found on the same site. The survey will close on Tuesday 7 April 2026.

About the researchers and advisory group:  

This research is being conducted by the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC) at UNSW. We are excited to have this project supported by partner organisations including the Network of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies (NADA), Mission Australia, Uniting, Settlement Services International, and Wesley, who are also represented on our research advisory group.

Please share far and wide: 

We want to ensure every voice in NSW is heard. Please share the survey link and QR code with your colleagues and contacts, including those working in regional, rural, and remote areas.

If you do not wish to be contacted again regarding the survey, please reply to this email requesting this and we will remove you from our mailing list for this project. However, you may receive information about the survey forwarded by another organisation or colleague.

Questions? 

If after reading the Participant Information on https://bit.ly/NSWCommunitySector2026  you would like further information or to talk to one of the researchers, please email Natasha Cortis (UNSW) via n.cortis@unsw.edu.au. You can also contact Justine Lee at NCOSS on justine@ncoss.org.au.

This research has been reviewed and approved by The University of New South Wales Human Research Ethics Advisory Panel. If you have any complaints or concerns about the research study please email humanethics@unsw.edu.au or phone +61 2 9385 6222 quoting iRecs10605.