Supporting safe, inclusive, and connected communities with Communicare

At the heart of Communicare is a powerful aspiration: a nation where every person is safe, included, and connected. As a for-purpose organisation, Communicare has built a strong reputation for genuinely caring about the people it supports. Their work centres on advocating for social and economic inclusion, empowering people to participate fully in their communities, and delivering innovative services across Australia.

Guided by strong values: Everyone is welcome, Stronger together, Doing what we say, and Above and beyond—they support people and communities to thrive.

Communicare’s financial wellbeing services are designed with a person-centred and trauma-informed approach. They provide free, confidential support to people experiencing hardship, helping them:

• Build realistic budgets to take control of their money.
• Negotiate with creditors and councils to secure fair repayment plans.
• Access emergency relief and community supports for immediate needs.
• Connect with counselling, health, and wellbeing services when needed.

They form partnerships with clients, equipping them with tools, confidence, and hope to move forward with dignity.

Communicare’s decision to join the FWC in 2018 was driven by a commitment to collaboration and a recognition that tackling financial hardship requires collective action.

As part of the collaboration, Communicare has been able to:

• Strengthen referral pathways, ensuring clients access the right support at the right time.
• Contribute to advocacy efforts that amplify the voices of those experiencing financial stress.
• Learn from and share expertise with other partners, adopting best-practice approaches.

Being a member of the FWC has magnified their impact, allowing them to work “stronger together” in pursuit of thriving, inclusive communities.

For Communicare, partnership with the FWC is about more than service delivery. It’s about contributing to system-level change, ensuring no person faces hardship alone. This commitment reflects their belief in inclusion, dignity, and empowerment.

Real Impact: Jane’s Story

The impact of Communicare’s work is best captured through the people they support.

Take Jane*—a woman in her 40s who returned to WA after years interstate. Living in an overcrowded home while caring for a family member, she was struggling with multiple financial pressures. For the first time, she reached out for professional support.

With Communicare’s help, Jane was able to:

• Build a sustainable budget and improve her financial literacy.
• Set up manageable repayment arrangements for outstanding bills and fines.
• Access programs that resolved financial obligations without hardship.
• Receive food support, school assistance, and counselling referrals.
• Secure essential household items to restore stability and dignity.

By the end of her engagement, Jane had stabilised her finances, avoided defaulting on payments, and even started re-entering the workforce. Most importantly, she regained her self-belief.

In her own words:
“The way you spoke and treated me was amazing. I’m sticking to the plan, and I have not defaulted. I have also started working… Thank you again for everything.”

Jane’s journey reflects what financial wellbeing truly means: not just numbers on a page, but the restoration of confidence, stability, and hope.

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