Australia’s only annual community sector survey released today reveals the impact of the global financial crisis on community services struggling to meet the needs of disadvantaged Queenslanders.

The survey of 583 community and welfare agencies shows organisations are under stress. One in ten Queenslanders looking for help is turned away. Of those turned away 44 per cent are seeking youth services and 35 per cent seeking financial support.

“The effects of the global economic crisis are reflected in the people represented in the largest groups turned away,” says QCOSS Director Jill Lang. “A significant effect of the downturn means there is a large increase in the unmet needs of young people and those looking for material or financial support.

“More than half of the organisations surveyed said they are unable to meet demand for services. And 61% are targeting their services more tightly to ration tight resources.

“It is encouraging the overall turn away figures have decreased by 16 per cent on the previous year. But agencies still turned away 263,922 people who were eligible for services.

“The report also highlights the needs of Indigenous people who are likely to use services because health and welfare outcomes for Indigenous people continue to be lower than for non Indigenous Australians. Because there are a greater number of Indigenous people with a disability they are more than twice as likely to need help with core daily activities.

“Single parents are also significantly overrepresented as service users. These parents need greater support services such as income, housing, employment and social participation. The number of single parent households continues to increase. So providing services to single parents will take on increasing importance,” says Jill.

The Australian Council of Social Service Australian Community Sector Survey provides an overview of the nonprofit community services and welfare sector. QCOSS member organisations in Queensland were included in the survey.

The full report is available at www.acoss.org.au