Mission Australia and Great Southern Bank are extending their successful partnership for another three years through to 2029, with a $3 million investment meaning more Mission Australia community housing tenants will benefit from a collaboration that has led to lower utility bills, enhanced financial wellbeing and improved housing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
More Mission Australia housing residents impacted
The expanded partnership aims to support a further 6,300 Mission Australia housing tenants and deliver an estimated $1.1 million in energy cost savings over the three years, while continuing to reduce household emissions through targeted energy and water efficiency upgrades.
The partnership also funds two Community Navigator roles within Mission Australia, ensuring that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are assisted to gain secure housing and access culturally appropriate support.
Beginning in 2023, the original partnership saw 10 Mission Australia community housing complexes in NSW benefit from energy and water efficiency upgrades. These upgrades reduced utility bills by around $500 per household annually, delivering meaningful and ongoing cost-of-living relief to hundreds of tenants.
The 2026–2029 partnership will help fund a further 17 site upgrades across NSW, Queensland and Victoria. It will also support:
- Energy literacy programs to help Mission Australia housing tenants better understand and manage their household energy use and further reduce their utility bills.
- A new program supporting residents to transition out of community housing, creating education and employment pathways toward greater independence and housing stability.
- Improved housing and financial outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing tenants, supporting shared commitments to reconciliation and greater economic inclusion.
Great Southern Bank and Mission Australia are helping tenants lower energy costs, improve financial wellbeing and build a more sustainable future.
A powerful partnership
Mission Australia CEO Sharon Callister said the renewed partnership demonstrates what long-term collaboration between non-profits and the private sector can achieve.
"The partnership with Great Southern Bank has had an incredible impact on our community housing tenants in the past three years. I’m excited to see what this next stage will bring as it continues to expand beyond energy efficiency upgrades into initiatives that will benefit even more of the people Mission Australia serves,” Ms Callister said.
“Not only are our housing residents seeing lower utility bills thanks to the upgrades to our properties, but the Community Navigator at our Common Ground housing development in Sydney is helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to access safe and secure housing and connect with culturally appropriate support in their local community.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming a second Community Navigator on the Mid North Coast, building on the success we’ve seen at Common Ground,” Ms Callister added.
Paul Lewis, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Great Southern Bank said the renewed partnership builds on the success of the past three years and will extend its impact to thousands more Australians.
“Our partnership with Mission Australia has shown that targeted investment in community housing can make a real difference – helping tenants lower their bills, feel more secure in their homes and strengthen their overall financial well-being,” Mr Lewis said.
“By committing a further $3 million and broadening the partnership, we can deepen our impact. This next phase is about more than lower bills - it is about building financial and housing inclusion, resilience, and opportunity.”