Boost for NGOs to support cost of living pressures

• Palaszczuk Government will raise NGO indexation support rate 5.63 per cent.
• boost recognises higher wages and updated inflation forecasts.
• Support will deliver services for vulnerable Queenslanders in housing and homelessness services, seniors, domestic and family violence services.

Organisations that deliver vital support services to vulnerable Queenslanders in critical areas such as housing and homelessness, domestic and family violence and disability support will receive extra funding from the Palaszczuk Government.

The Government will raise the indexation support rate for non-government organisations to 5.63 per cent, up from 3.88 per cent in the December Budget Update 2022-23.  

The boost recognises that NGOs, like all Queenslanders, are not immune from cost pressures.

The December 2022 rate was based on forecasts for Wage Price and Consumer Price indexes at the time of the Budget Update.

Importantly, the 5.63 per cent indexation rate recognises the significant value of workers that deliver critical services to the most vulnerable members of the community by picking up the outcomes from the National Fair Work Commission’s increase to award wages (5.75 per cent), from 1 July 2023. 

The Queensland Government provides additional funding to departments each year to enable appropriate indexation of service delivery arrangements with community services sector organisations in recognition of increasing costs.

Quotes attributable to Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick:

“Today’s announcement of the NGO increase to 5.63 per cent recognises vital work these organisations do for vulnerable Queensland, and also the extra costs they are facing.

“With this increase, we continue our efforts to deliver greater and more widespread cost-of-living relief than any other government in Australia, state or Federal.

“No matter who they are, Queenslanders will receive cost-of-living relief from our government.

“As promised, we will support more Queenslanders with the essential government services that they deserve.”

The Queensland State Budget 2023-24 will deliver an unprecedented $8.2 billion in concessions funding for all Queenslanders to ease cost-of-living pressures, an annual increase of more than 21 per cent, with more than $1.6 billion in new or expanded measures.

Media contact: Geoff Breusch 0417 272 875