GO8618: Children and Family Support

The Australian Government is inviting eligible organisations via a restricted process to apply to deliver services under Program 2.1 Families and Communities – Families and Children Activity - Children and Family Support (CaFS) program from 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2032.

The CaFS program aims to strengthen family wellbeing by delivering flexible, responsive supports for families with children aged 0–17 years, and young people up to age 25, where appropriate.

The CaFS program aims to achieve the following 2 outcomes: Parents and caregivers receive the support they need to guide children’s social and emotional growth in families and communities that are safe and strong.

Children and young people receive social and emotional support they need.

Funding under the CaFS program will be targeted to the following 4 investment priorities: To invest early to improve family wellbeing, break cycles of disadvantage, and reduce the need for later interventions like child protection.

Connected or integrated services that work together to meet family needs.

Ensure services are informed by, and respond to, community needs.

Improve outcomes for First Nations children and families by increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations (ACCOs) delivering supports in locations with high First Nations populations.

Applicants must be one of the organisations listed in Appendix A and must have received an Invitation to Apply through GrantConnect; no other organisations will be invited.

Consortia are eligible where they are led by an invited eligible organisation listed in Appendix A and meet the consortia conditions.

Eligible organisations may form consortia or subcontracting arrangements with organisations not listed in Appendix A.

An unincorporated association may receive funding only where a legal parent organisation or connected legal entity can enter into a legally binding agreement on its behalf.

Successful organisations must deliver some services directly to clients; direct service delivery cannot be wholly subcontracted.

Successful organisations must maintain relevant registrations, staff qualifications, Working with Vulnerable People registration and Working with Children checks in each state in which they operate.