Building Australia’s capacity to care beyond the health system
Australia’s health and aged care systems provide essential clinical care, but much of the support people need happens beyond formal services.
Compassionate Communities Australia strengthens community capability by helping communities, organisations and governments build local networks of care.
Together, we’re creating communities that are more connected, capable and ready to support one another.
Building Community Capability
Australia’s health and aged care systems provide essential clinical care. Communities provide connection, belonging and practical support.
Compassionate Communities Australia builds the community capability that complements clinical care.
By strengthening local knowledge, relationships and networks of care, we help create communities where people are better prepared to support one another through ageing, serious illness, caregiving, dying and grief.
WHY IT MATTERS
Healthcare cannot do this alone
Most care happens outside hospitals, clinics and residential care.
It happens in homes, neighbourhoods, workplaces and local communities, where relationships, practical help and social connection play a vital role in wellbeing.
When communities are equipped to support one another, individuals and families are better able to navigate life’s most challenging experiences. At the same time, health and aged care services are better supported to focus on the care only they can provide.
Community support strengthens people and systems
✔ Builds stronger local networks of care
✔ Improves wellbeing and social connection
✔ Supports carers, families and volunteers
✔ Strengthens partnerships between communities and services
✔ Reduces unnecessary pressure on health and aged care systems
✔ Builds confidence to care, connect and plan ahead
WHAT WE DO
Building community capability across Australia
Compassionate Communities Australia is a national charity working to strengthen community-led approaches to caring, ageing, dying and grief.
We connect evidence, people and practice to help communities, organisations and decision-makers create lasting change.
Our work focuses on:
- Growing Australia’s Resource Hub
- Leading national advocacy
- Leading national programs and community initiatives
- Sharing evidence and research
- Building partnerships across sectors
- Improving death and grief literacy
- Strengthening collaboration between communities and formal services
We don’t replace health or community services—we help strengthen the connections between them.
RESOURCE HUB
Practical resources that empower communities
Australia’s Community Resource Hub is a growing collection of practical tools, guides, research and resources supporting community-led responses to caring, dying and grief.
Whether you’re part of a health service, local government, aged care provider, community group, workplace or simply looking for trusted information, the Resource Hub makes it easier to find practical resources that can be applied locally.
Browse resources covering:
- Caring for others
- Grief and bereavement
- Planning ahead
- Caring for someone at home
- Building social connection
- Talking about death
- Research and evidence
- Community practice resources
COMPASSIONATE CONNECTORS
Strengthening local networks of care
The Compassionate Connector Program is helping communities across Australia build practical, social and emotional support around people experiencing serious illness, caregiving, dying and grief.
Connectors do not replace health or community services. They help strengthen the relationships and local networks that support people alongside formal care.
ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Creating change where it matters most
Lasting change happens when communities, organisations and decision-makers work together.
Our Advocacy in Action campaign brings together evidence, lived experience and practical ideas to strengthen how Australia responds to ageing, caregiving, dying and grief.
Current advocacy focuses on:
- Aged Care
- Health Services
- Local Government
- Workplaces
- Home
- Hospices
- Equity & Diversity
Together, these conversations are helping shape stronger systems and more connected communities.
Our Impact
Building community capability across Australia
Communities already play a vital role in supporting people through ageing, serious illness, caregiving, dying and grief.
Compassionate Communities Australia exists to strengthen that capability by connecting knowledge, people and practical action.
Every resource shared, every partnership formed and every conversation started helps build stronger communities and stronger systems.
%
of care happens in families and communities
Practical resources in Australia's Community Resource Hub
National advocacy priorities driving systems change
of people connected through learning, partnerships and shared knowledge
NEWSLETTER
Stay connected
Receive updates on new Resource Hub resources, advocacy initiatives, research, conversations and opportunities to get involved.
Join a growing network of people committed to strengthening community responses across Australia.
THE EVIDENCE
Community support makes a measurable difference
Research consistently shows that most care during serious illness, dying and grief is provided by family, friends and community networks, while formal health services provide only a small proportion of total care.
When communities are supported to work alongside services, people experience stronger social connection, greater confidence and better support, while health and aged care systems are better able to focus on clinical care.
Compassionate Communities Australia promotes evidence-informed approaches that strengthen both communities and formal systems.
WHO WE WORK WITH
Working together for greater impact
Meaningful change happens through collaboration.
We work alongside:
- Community organisations
- Health services
- Aged care providers
- Local governments
- Researchers and universities
- Policy makers
- Philanthropic organisations
- Grant makers
- People with lived experience
Together, we are building stronger communities that complement Australia’s health and aged care systems.
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Help build stronger communities across Australia
Every community has the capacity to better support people through ageing, serious illness, caregiving, dying and grief.
Your support helps us expand the Resource Hub, strengthen national advocacy, build partnerships and equip more communities with the knowledge and resources they need.
Together, we can create lasting change that benefits individuals, families, communities and the systems that support them.
OUR PARTNERS
Organisations working alongside us
We're proud to work with organisations that share our commitment to building stronger, more compassionate communities across Australia.
Compassionate Communities Australia is the national organisation building community capability through advocacy, practical resources, partnerships and community-led action.
