Community Services Act 2007

The Community Services Act 2007 and the Community Services Regulation 2008 began operating on 31 March 2008. The Act and Regulation set out new laws about services funded by the Department of Communities. They provide an up-to-date legal foundation for supporting the work of community organisations and ensuring Queenslanders have access to high-quality, safe and accountable community services.

The new laws were developed as part of the Strengthening Non-Government Organisations strategy. They are designed to:

• provide greater transparency and certainty about how the Department of Communities gives funding and other assistance to community organisations
• ensure services meet the needs of Queenslanders and their families and communities
• clarify how the department and community organisations can work together to build sustainable communities.

Leading up to the implementation of the new legislation, the Department of Communities distributed information throughout the community services sector to ensure organisations understood the processes and requirements of the new laws. Over 400 service providers from around Queensland attended the information sessions.

Systems and practices have also been established within the department and the sector to prepare for and support implementation of the Act.

More information and resources can be found on the Communities website, including:

• Funding
• Service Agreements
• Approved Service Providers

Publications and media releases

• An overview of the Community Services Act 2007 (PDF 394 kB), (Word 58 kB)
• Guiding Principles of the Community Services Act 2007 (PDF 90 kB), (Word 178 kB)
• New laws for community services: Your questions answered (PDF 305 kB), (Word 40 kB)
• Community Services Act 2007 – how the new Act affects currently funded organisations (PDF 507 kB), (Word 32 kB)
• Prescribed requirements at a glance (PDF 112 kB), (Word 189 kB)
• Proposed new legislation for community services: report on consultation 7 April – 7 May 2006 (PDF 284 kB), (Word 204 kB)
• New laws will strengthen community-based services (media release 23 August 2007)
• New laws strengthen and support local services: Minister (media release 3 March 2008)

Important links

• Community Door: Tools and resources for NGOs
• Department of Communities funding portal
  • Resources (e.g. Service Agreement)
  • Approved Service Provider information

Further information

For further information about the new community services legislation please contact your regional Department of Communities office. Contact details can be found on the contacts page