Building stronger communities through advocacy
Real and lasting change happens when communities, organisations and decision-makers work together.
Compassionate Communities Australia advocates for policies, partnerships and practical action that strengthen community-led approaches to caring, ageing, serious illness, dying and grief.
Our advocacy is grounded in research, informed by lived experience and focused on creating healthier, more connected communities across Australia.
WHY ADVOCACY MATTERS
Building systems that support people, not just services
Australia’s health and aged care systems are essential, but they cannot meet every social, emotional and practical need people experience throughout life.
Communities also have an important role to play.
When communities, services and governments work together, people experience better support, stronger connections and greater wellbeing.
Our advocacy promotes community capability alongside clinical care, helping shape policies and systems that recognise the value of relationships, local knowledge and shared responsibility.
OUR APPROACH
From conversation to action
We believe advocacy is about more than raising awareness.
It is about creating practical change.
Every advocacy priority developed by Compassionate Communities Australia is designed to:
- bring together evidence and lived experience
- encourage collaboration across sectors
- influence policy and decision-making
- strengthen community capability
- support practical action
- improve outcomes for individuals, families and communities
Our advocacy is an invitation for communities, organisations and governments to work together towards a shared vision.
ADVOCACY IN PRACTICE
Highlights from the 2025 CCA National Forum
The 2025 CCA National Forum brought together community leaders, researchers, practitioners and partners from across Australia to share ideas, strengthen connections and explore practical ways to support community-led change.
Watch the highlights to see how national conversations are helping shape stronger, more connected communities.
ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Creating change across seven key settings
Building stronger communities requires action across every part of society.
Our advocacy priorities focus on the places where people experience care, connection, ageing, dying and grief every day.
Living Well at Home
Supporting people to live, care, die and grieve well at home through stronger community networks, practical support and earlier conversations.
Health Services
Strengthening partnerships between health services and communities to improve care beyond clinical settings.
Aged Care
Supporting aged care providers to build environments where dignity, relationships and community connection are central to care.
Local Government
Helping councils recognise community connection as essential civic infrastructure that contributes to healthier, more resilient communities.
Workplaces
Encouraging workplaces to better support employees experiencing caregiving, serious illness, bereavement and grief.
Hospices
Supporting hospices to strengthen partnerships with communities and extend care beyond organisational boundaries.
Equity & Diversity
Ensuring every person, regardless of culture, identity, geography or circumstance, is seen, valued and supported.
BUILT ON EVIDENCE
Advocacy informed by research and experience
Our advocacy draws on:
- Australian and international research
- Community-led practice
- Public health approaches
- Lived experience
- Partnerships across health, aged care and community sectors
- National conversations with practitioners, researchers and communities
By combining evidence with practical experience, we help shape advocacy that is both ambitious and achievable.
GET INVOLVED
Creating change is a shared responsibility
Meaningful change happens when people and organisations work together.
Whether you are part of government, health, aged care, local government, a community organisation, philanthropy, research, or simply passionate about stronger communities, there is a role for you. You can get involved by exploring our advocacy priorities, sharing ideas and examples, participating in conversations, building partnerships and supporting community-led change.
Together, we can strengthen the way Australia supports people through caring, ageing, serious illness, dying and grief.
Compassionate Communities Australia is the national organisation building community capability through advocacy, practical resources, partnerships and community-led action.
