Annual report 2023 | NT | Mission Australia

WELCOME

I am incredibly grateful for the unwavering commitment and compassion of our staff and volunteers who continued to support individuals and families throughout the year. Through your efforts, we were able to make lasting differences in the lives of many individuals, helping them overcome adversity and thrive in their communities.

I express deep appreciation for our funders, donors, local communities, and organisations we collaborated with. Through these valuable relationships we were able to effectively meet the needs of individuals, families and communities.

Over the past year, Mission Australia provided support to an astounding 7,665 individuals in the Northern Territory. We witnessed the challenges faced by individuals and families as the rising cost of living took its toll. Our services saw increased demand, highlighting the crucial role we played in providing vital support to those who need it most. Our dedicated team rose to the challenge, ensuring our services remained accessible and effective.

With many wonderful achievements to celebrate over the year; some highlights included:

Successful expansion of Employment Services with the rollout of the Transition to Work that linked young people with opportunities of employment, training and further education; and retaining oversight of the Disability Employment Services across Greater Darwin.
Created an environment that attracted new services MA delivered in the NT including ForWhen.
Strengthened the collaborative relationship with Yilli Rreung Housing Aboriginal Corporation and other key stakeholders including TeamHEALTH, 54 Reasons and CAAPS Aboriginal Corporation in the delivery of the Integrated Homelessness and Supported Accommodation Program to about 400 people residing at the Batten Road Facility.

Moving forward, we remain committed to working towards a brighter future, where everyone has access to safe and stable housing, and the opportunity to flourish.

Warm regards,

State director profile Sue Budalich with copy

Together, we supported 7,665 Australians in NT on their journey towards independence last year.

Homelessness

3,539 people assisted
through 10 services

Housing

29 people assisted
through 1 service

Alcohol & other drugs

2,470 people assisted
through 3 services

Children & families

36 people assisted
through 1 service

Employment, education & training

613 people assisted
through 8 services

Financial wellbeing

707 people assisted
through 2 services

Mental health recovery

158 people assisted
through 5 services

Justice & corrections

113 people assisted
through 3 services

An Australia where all of us can have a safe home and thrive

In 2020, we launched Mission Australia’s 20-25 Strategy with a vision for an Australia where all of us have a safe home and can thrive. In the past year, we are proud of our progress in our four strategic focus areas. From the opening of two new Alcohol and Other Drugs facilities to our continued commitment to create strong, resilient and thriving communities, read more about our progress in FY23.

See our progress

Our work in action

Partnering to strengthen communities

Throughout the year, our team in Meekathara, WA, facilitate a place-based, community-led approach including coordinating capacity building activities and social cohesion events. Our Communities of Focus approach recognises that addressing local disadvantage starts with bringing people together through local decision making. From BBQs, sports activities to Family Fun Days, Mission Australia works with local Elders, community leaders and members, services, government agencies and businesses to increase community participation and control.

Driving excellence

Our award-winning Impact Measurement Program helps us understand how our services improve the lives of our clients and the communities we serve. We measure our impact by asking the people we help questions about their wellbeing when they start a service and when they exit.

In the Northern Territory our impact measurement data shows that while they were engaged with or exited from our services, they were more satisfied with their personal wellbeing.

Bar chart of Reconnect average satisfaction with life as a whole showing there is an increase when they exit compared with starting

*Matched data collected from July 2022 to June 2023 (n=45) compared to Australian population normative range

¹Deakin University and Australian Unity Limited. (2021). Australian Unity Wellbeing Index - Appendices 38. Subjective wellbeing in Australia during the second year of the pandemic. Geelong: Australian Centre on Quality of Life, School of Psychology, Deakin University

Thank you for making our work possible this year

Policy & Advocacy

Mission Australia continued our research, policy and advocacy work to support people in need to thrive. We boldy advocated to the Federal and State/Territory Governments on issues of importance to Mission Australia and the people we serve.

We made policy submissions on a range of topics including homelessness, social and affordable housing, and youth. Across the state and nationally, we met with Ministers and senior government representatives on policy priorities for people in need and furthered our community collaborations to advocate together on key issues.

We continue to advocate strongly for further investment in social and affordable housing, actions to end homelessness, adequate income support and other policy priorities to support people in need to thrive.

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