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What is the Community Sector Investment Fund?

In 2003, the Victorian Government established the Community Sector Investment Fund (CSIF) with $7 million to invest in initiatives that support efficiency and sustainability for community service organisations (CSOs).

There are seven CSIF project areas:

1. The establishment of CSO Networks
2. Providing better access to Government contracts
3. Vehicle and Fleet Management
4. WorkCover Claims Management
5. Occupational Health and Safety
6. Workforce Strategies
7. Knowledge Development

Portable Long Service Leave Scheme for the Community Sector in Victoria

The Victorian Government is committed to increasing the capacity of the community services sector through initiatives that improve sustainability for community service organisations, and improve conditions for the workforce in this important industry.

Through the Community Sector Investment Fund consultations with community services sector organisations and peak bodies, a portable long service leave (PLSL) scheme has been identified as one initiative with the potential to increase the capacity of the sector to attract and retain workers. The government committed to assisting the sector to establish a PLSL scheme in the Stronger Community Organisations Project Action Plan in April 2008. The introduction of a PLSL scheme has and continues to receive strong in-principle sector support.

The Commonwealth Government has advised that they are committed to working with the States and Territories towards a uniform Long Service Leave National Employment Standard, and recommends that the Victorian Scheme be developed as part of these broader consultations taking place in the early part of 2010.

The Victorian Government has been developing the scheme in partnership with the community services sector. Consultations have been held on the project throughout 2009 and as a result, concerns have been raised by some organisations about the impact of the costs of the scheme. In this more difficult economic climate, the Victorian Government will use this time to extend the consultation phase with the community sector.

The Victorian Government is determined to provide the best possible scheme for the sector and will be appointing an independent consultant to provide an assessment of the business impact of the scheme. Unions and sector representatives organisations will have input into the terms of reference for the consultant, and will be represented on a reference group to oversee this work.

It remains a firm commitment for this Government to provide a clearly defined, financially stable and supported scheme, for the long term benefit of community services organisations and workforce.

Information and updates will be posted on this website as they become available.

The Minister for Community Services thanks stakeholders for their involvement in the project to date, and looks forward to working with the sector on the development of a scheme to increase the viability of the community services sector in Victoria.

Portable Long Service Leave project brief [PDF 55kb]

Feasibility Report [PDF 1.7Mb]

Actuarial Report [PDF 1.02Mb]

March Consultation Discussion Paper [PDF 68kb]

Consultation Forum - 6 March 2009 - How the scheme will work - Presented by David Quinn-Watson [PDF 648kb]

Portable Long Service Leave Reference Group Membership Feb 09 [PDF 20kb]

CSO Information Portal

The CSO Information Portal was created as a major resource for CSOs and to enable the quick sharing of relevant information. This Portal provides extensive detail on the major priority areas for the CSIF, as well as the gateway to access the whole of government contracts. Information on the existing panel of preferred suppliers for WorkCover claims management can also be found there, as well as a range of useful business tools.

The Portal is housed within the Funded Agency Channel (FAC) web page and can be quickly accessed through the link below. The Funded Agency Channel (FAC) is the Department of Human Services (DHS) primary information, communication and business tool for use with the agencies that it funds. However, agencies that are not funded by DHS can also access most of the information available on the Portal through the same link below.

Link: CSO Information Portal

CSIF Evaluation Report

An Evaluation of the CSIF was completed in July 2007. The Evaluation found a strong partnership between DHS and CSO representatives. This resulted in the sector providing an enormous contribution of time and energy towards advancing and realising the goals of the CSIF. The Evaluation also found that there have been achievements in all of the project areas. A copy of the Executive Summary of the Evaluation Report and the complete report is available via the links below.

Executive Summary [PDF, 52kb]

CSIF Final Report [PDF, 602kb]

CSO Network Case studies

The CSIF has funded 38 CSO Networks across Victoria. Through the implementation of a range of innovative projects, organisations in these Networks have realised positive gains from their collaboration.

As part of the Evaluation, case studies of ten Networks were completed between October 2006 and January 2007 and appear within the terms of the report. Case Study summaries are available by clicking the link below.

CSO Network Case Studies [PDF, 73kb]

Contact Us

The Community Sector Investment Fund (CSIF) project team forms part of the Strategic Projects Branch within the Portfolio and Strategic Projects Division of the Department of Human Services. Enquiries should be directed to Lorena Felicetti, Manager of the CSIF by telephone 03 9096 8649 or via email to Lorena.Felicetti@dhs.vic.gov.au.