CISVic advocates for stronger, more accessible community information and support services across Victoria. 

Our members are local, trusted services that help people experiencing financial hardship, housing stress, food insecurity and other pressures find practical support early. They provide emergency relief, service navigation, advocacy, referrals and wraparound support, often acting as the first and most accessible entry point into the broader service system. 

We work with our members, government, community organisations and other peak bodies to campaign for change and inform policy decisions that better respond to the needs of people experiencing hardship. 

1. Sustain trusted local services 

Victoria already has a proven network of Community Information and Support services embedded in local communities. 

These services provide practical, face-to-face assistance to people experiencing hardship. Support may include emergency relief, help with bills, food assistance, advocacy, referral to specialist services, and help navigating complex systems. 

Many services are operating under increasing pressure, with demand growing faster than available resources. Some rely heavily on volunteers and do not have secure, ongoing program-specific State Government funding. 

Sustainable funding would help protect the services communities already rely on. 

2. Fill critical gaps in underserved communities 

Not every Victorian community has access to local Community Information and Support. 

Some areas have limited or no local service navigation, leaving people without an accessible place to turn when they are experiencing hardship. CISVic is calling for investment to establish new services in high-demand, underserved areas so more people can access support close to home. 

Local support matters. When people can get help earlier, they are more likely to resolve issues before they become more serious, costly or difficult to address. 

3. Strengthen statewide coordination 

CISVic’s member services are local, trusted and community-embedded. With stronger statewide coordination, the network can improve referral pathways, strengthen service quality, share information about emerging community needs, and help people access the right support earlier. 

A stronger statewide network would also help government better understand where need is growing, where gaps exist, and what support communities are seeking. 

4. Invest early to prevent crisis 

Community Information and Support services help people address hardship before it escalates. 

For example, a person facing rental arrears may receive emergency relief, advocacy, referral to financial counselling and connection to housing support before the situation escalates into eviction, homelessness or acute health impacts. 

Early support is not only better for individuals and families. It can also reduce pressure on higher-cost systems, including homelessness, health, justice, family violence, mental health and crisis services. 

What this investment would deliver 

A Year 1 investment of $4.9 million, with annual indexation, would support Victoria’s Community Information and Support network to sustain proven services, fill critical gaps and strengthen local early-intervention infrastructure. 

The proposal includes: 

• Secure ongoing funding for 33 existing CIS services 

• Establishment of 10 new services in high-demand, underserved areas 

• Stronger local service navigation for people experiencing hardship 

• Improved referral pathways and statewide coordination 

• Better data on emerging community needs 

Victoria already has a proven, low-cost, early-intervention network embedded in local communities. With modest investment, this network can help more Victorians resolve hardship before it becomes crisis.