NFP Sector Development Blueprint: Recommendations are ‘coming to life operationally’ 

The Not-for-profit Sector Development Blueprint was released in late 2024 and set out a 10-year plan to strengthen Australia’s charities and community organisations to make them ‘future ready’. While the government has not formally accepted the Blueprint, elements are being adopted operationally, say two of its key creators who spoke to Giving News. 

Developed through extensive consultation by the Blueprint Expert Reference Group (BERG), the Blueprint identifies long-standing challenges in funding, regulation and workforce sustainability, and proposes reforms across three pillars: 

• An enabling operational and regulatory environment – including harmonised regulation, streamlined reporting, improved data collection and more stable funding arrangements. 

• A people-led and purpose-driven sector – emphasising co-governance, co-design with communities and investment in workforce development. 

• An adaptive and dynamic sector – focused on innovation, collaboration and building resilience to future social and economic pressures. 

Lead drafter Professor Jo Barraket AM, Director of the Melbourne Social Equity Institute at the University of Melbourne (pictured left), said that the Minister and Assistant Minister for Social Services, as well as the Assistant Minister for Charities, have expressed interest in enacting key aspects of the Blueprint.  

“Momentum is building within the sector as recommendations have been initiated, such as the campaign by Justice Connect to advance DGR reform, Stronger Charities Alliance’s efforts to drive advocacy developments and Infoxchange is initiating digital transformation actions, partnering with major corporate and philanthropic organisations to deliver largescale change,” she said. 

The Blueprint recommends 18 initiatives timed over 10 years, ranging from boosting philanthropy and modernising governance structures to strengthening volunteer participation and respecting Indigenous voices in sector leadership. 

BERG member Rob Sturrock (pictured below), Program Director of Community Services at ACOSS, said he was confident of further progress with the Blueprint, given ACOSS’ positive engagement with the Federal Government since the 2025 Federal Election. In particular, the newly established Community Services Ministerial Roundtable, comprising the Minister of Finance, Minister of Social Services, Minister of Health, Ageing and Disability, Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS)  and the Australian Services Union, is utilising the Blueprint as one of the main policy frameworks for improving the community sector’s sustainability. 

“The findings are coming to life substantially. Our recent discussions with the Minister and Assistant Minister for Social Services have made me optimistic. Important changes being proposed draw on the Blueprint’s Initiatives. I’m optimistic that 2026 will be a productive reform year where the government makes the most of the Blueprint’’ Rob said.  

‘Equally, the government is focused on improving national productivity and prosperity. When the Treasurer convened the Economic Reform Roundtable in August, our sector was already ahead of the game, because we spent the previous two years developing several big ideas to boost productivity .’ 

Of all the Blueprint’s Initiatives, in the immediate term, ACOSS is focused on getting further traction on financial sustainability for the sector, strengthening the role of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, and seeing improved government investment in the sector’s AI and data capability and its cybersecurity readiness. 

“There’s a much broader and deeper role that philanthropic bodies can play in backing those recommendations and advocating to government the need for action, ” Rob said. 

“Philanthropy can show that it is doing all it can to support with our sector, and that government must step up and do more to improve the sector’s sustainability and its impact for people in need. A coalition of philanthropic leaders and sector actors communicating this to government will have a powerful and positive impact” he said. 

Jo said that philanthropy is part of the NFP sector and these reforms are foundational to achieving the kinds of systems changes and social impact that philanthropy works toward.  

She also said there seems to be growing awareness of the non-partisan Blueprint across the Government, Opposition and Independents, but support for actioning the recommendations is essential across the whole parliament. 

 “Philanthropy can play a role in influencing this through its networks and relationships, raising awareness of the Blueprint and the sector’s challenges and contributions.” 

Rob said that there is often a misunderstanding within the Federal Government and APS about the acute financial pressures faced by community organisations every day to keep the lights on. 

 “Getting a fairer indexation rate doesn’t mean you can suddenly afford additional capital expenditure like a Microsoft Co-pilot or bespoke AI subscription. That indexation covers only some of the increases to existing operational costs. Relaying that message to politicians and senior officials is definitely something philanthropy could do as partners and funders,” he said. 

Philanthropy Australia CEO Maree Sidey, expressed the peak body’s support for the Blueprint, thanking Professor Barraket and BERG and for their work developing such a comprehensive roadmap.  

“It’s vital that the Australian Government uses the Blueprint to guide decision-making and prioritise action on its recommendations. Philanthropy also plays a key role supporting the capacity of the NFP sector, and we encourage philanthropic funders to use the Blueprint to inform their work and priorities.” 

Although not a specific recommendation, Jo said that there were significant knowledge gaps that philanthropy could help plug by supporting a national centre for excellence for the sector. 

“Our federated system and fragmented regulation mean we lack co-ordinated, longitudinal data. While the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC), ACOSS, peaks and universities do excellent work, information is uncoordinated and gaps remain. Philanthropy can help by investing to bridge this gap. Building a shared knowledge commons is essential for informed policy and a stronger NFP sector,” said Jo. 

“These recommendations relate to 30 years of unrealised reforms. If the NFP sector falls, our economy falls and our democracy fails. It’s vital that the whole sector engages and mobilises to realise the plan.”