Blogs

Baptist Care Australia merger announcement: BaptistCare welcomes BCA team into the organisation

By Vanessa Mason posted 09-10-2025
04/09/2025 We are pleased to share that Baptist Care Australia (BCA), the national peak body representing Baptist community service organisations, are concluding operations and the BCA team has now joined BaptistCare. BaptistCare will establish a dedicated national advocacy function within our organisation, led by Robyn Sampson (now former CEO of BCA). Robyn will become BaptistCare’s General Manager, Advocacy within the Strategy and Customer Experience team. Robyn and the BCA team bring deep expertise in government engagement, policy development, sector collaboration, and social advocacy. This new function will make sure the real experiences of our customers, ...

Senate Committee Hearing Appearance

By Vanessa Mason posted 08-26-2025
26/08/25 On Friday 8 August, Baptist Care Australia's CEO Dr Robyn Sampson and our Head of Policy and Advocacy Charlie Dane appeared at the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee Inquiry into the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bills 2025 or ACOLA bill hearing . The stream of the hearing can be accessed here , with our appearance starting at about 56:00 and running for 45 minutes. The BCA opening statement is at the 1:02 mark. Building on the general framing that providers need certainty due to the complexity and scale of implementation, our key points were on the following: These bills must be prioritised for passage in the ...

Baptist Care Australia Advocates for Immediate Home Care Package Release

By Vanessa Mason posted 08-26-2025
26/08/2025 Last Friday, Baptist Care Australia made a submission to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee Inquiry into Aged Care Service Delivery, calling for the immediate release of additional Home Care Packages to address the growing crisis facing older Australians. Our submission highlighted the urgent need for government action, with thousands of older Australians currently waiting up to nine months for assessment and access to appropriate care. We emphasized that our members are maintaining people with complex needs on inadequate low-level packages, providing considerable unfunded support due to delays in accessing higher-level care. ...

Baptist Care Australia's Federal Election Response 2025

By Vanessa Mason posted 06-23-2025
Baptist Care Australia Congratulates Re-elected Albanese Government Baptist Care Australia congratulates Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Australian Labor Party on their re-election for a second term. Baptist Care Australia remains committed to working collaboratively with the federal government to help deliver on their commitments toward a fairer Australia. "This period presents a critical opportunity for meaningful action," says Dr Robyn Sampson, CEO of Baptist Care Australia. "The government must harness this momentum and deliver concrete outcomes for the Australian people, particularly those most vulnerable in our communities." - Dr ...

Baptist Care Australia’s Federal Election Statement 2025

By Vanessa Mason posted 06-23-2025
In the 2025 Federal election, Baptist Care Australia stands strong in our commitment to creating a more just, compassionate, and equitable society for all Australians. We call on all political leaders to move beyond rhetoric and commit to taking decisive action in the next Parliament to address the profound social challenges that continue to marginalise the most vulnerable in Australia. We encourage all candidates to engage in debating the issues with a respectful tone, focusing on the systems that Government can shape for the better of all Australians, instead of simplifying complex issues by placing blame on specific groups or communities, instead focusing ...

Baptist Care Australia Media Release: State of Housing Report 2025

By Alesandra Hernandez posted 06-15-2025
Baptist Care Australia welcomes the release of the State of the Housing System 2025 report by the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council (NHSAC). 22.05/2025 The report is unambiguous that Australia's housing crisis is getting worse, detailing some alarming facts: The supply of new housing in Australia is the lowest in a decade, with net new completed dwellings in 2024 at 155,000, almost 80,000 less than the estimated underlying demand Australia is projected to miss the 1.2 million homes by 2032 target under the Housing Accord by over 163,000 houses, and even more when factoring in demolitions. No State or Territory is on track to meet ...

Increased government investment in social and affordable housing

By Vanessa Mason posted 05-27-2025
Our CEO Dr Robyn Sampson joined forces with other community housing leaders, including BaptistCare 's Robyn Evans GAICD , at Parliament House in Canberra to advocate for better housing solutions for Australians. This important initiative was coordinated by the Community Housing Industry Association and PowerHousing Australia . In over 50 meetings with Federal politicians, the group highlighted several key messages: Firstly, research shows that most Australians, regardless of their background or political views, strongly support increased government investment in social and affordable housing. Our community ...

Charities call for critical amendments to the Electoral Reform Bill

By Vanessa Mason posted 05-27-2025
Charities must not be silenced in election debates! This morning, we proudly joined the Australian Democracy Network as part of the Stronger Charities Alliance at Parliament House, calling for critical amendments to the Electoral Reform Bill. Without these changes, charities could face unfair restrictions on their ability to advocate during elections - while political parties remain unaffected. A deal between the government and the opposition could be announced at any moment - now is the time to act! Charities play a vital role in shaping public debate on issues like education, social welfare, human rights, climate change, and more. ...

Raise The Rate Campaign

By Vanessa Mason posted 05-26-2025
This morning, Baptist Care Australia joined ACOSS Australian Council of Social Service and many social service providers from across the country at Parliament House to call for urgent action to lift incomes for people on the lowest payments, including JobSeeker. With the cost of living crisis deepening, we stood alongside key independent and Greens MPs who made it clear that there is political will to raise the rate if the government chooses to act. Currently JobSeeker is just $56 a day and Youth Allowance just $47 a day. Both rates are less than half the minimum wage and leave people unable to afford basic necessities such as rent, food and medicine. ...

New Aged Care Act - Passed!

By Vanessa Mason posted 05-26-2025
Baptist Care Australia celebrates the passage of the new Aged Care Act through Parliament – a historic reform that represents a major step forward for Australia’s aged care sector. Achieved through bipartisan support and following more than a year of negotiations, this transformative legislation addresses critical recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. It lays the groundwork for ensuring older Australians receive the care, dignity, and respect they deserve, while securing the system’s financial sustainability. Now, the focus shifts to implementation. Baptist Care Australia remains committed to ensuring this ...

The Aged Care Bill 2024 was successfully passed by the senate!

By Vanessa Mason posted 05-26-2025
Today the Aged Care Bill 2024 was successfully passed by the Senate. While it still needs to return to the House and be given Royal assent, we expect those steps to be done easily without further revision. This is a HUGE development - a truly once-in-a-generation reform! At the heart of this new legislation is a rights-based framework—the cornerstone recommendation from the Royal Commission into Aged Care. Alongside this, the Act delivers on numerous other recommendations to ensure quality, person-centred care for older Australians.This milestone is a testament to the collaboration across our sector—providers, unions, workers, parliamentarians, and consumers—who ...

Homelessness Australia - Unmet Demand for Specialist Homelessness Services

By Vanessa Mason posted 05-26-2025
New research released today by Impact Economics and Policy reveals a shocking reality: 3 million people in Australia are at risk of homelessness, and our services are overwhelmed. Homelessness services are being forced to close their doors, leave calls unanswered, and miss critical opportunities to prevent families from becoming homeless. We must take action now! This report surveys the increasing strain on Specialist Homelessness Services during Australia’s worsening housing crisis. With more Australians at risk of losing their homes, services are struggling to meet demand, leaving many without the support they need. The report highlights gaps ...

Exciting News - Three of our member organisations are merging!

By Vanessa Mason posted 05-26-2025
Exciting News! 📣 We’re delighted to announce that three of our Baptist Care Australia member organisations — Baptcare (VIC, TAS, SA), Baptist Care (SA) Inc , and BaptistCare (NSW, WA, ACT) — are merging to form a unified organisation. This is a significant step forward, and we’re eager to see the positive impact they’ll create together! As the peak body for Baptist social service organisations, we fully support this move. By bringing together their resources, expertise, and knowledge, the new organisation will be able to deliver even higher quality services and have a stronger impact in our communities. ...

December Updates - Farewell John Gregg & Happy Holidays

By Vanessa Mason posted 05-26-2025
23/12/24 This year has been one of profound transformation and steadfast commitment. As your new CEO, I have been privileged to lead our organisation in deepening our advocacy efforts across critical social service domains – aged care, housing, community services, and charity sector reforms. Our unwavering focus has been on amplifying the voices of our member organisations and advocating for policies that empower and uplift Australians living on the margins. This week, we are saying a heartfelt goodbye to John Gregg, our dedicated Policy and Advocacy Advisor. John's journey with us – a six-month appointment that extended for the full year – has ...

Reflecting on 2024: New Achievements and New Faces!

By Vanessa Mason posted 05-26-2025
8/11/2024 Reflecting on 2024: New Achievements and New Faces! The 2023-2024 Annual Report from Baptist Care Australia is now available to view or download from our website. Follow the link below to read more about our achievements, challenges, and impact throughout the past year. This year, we focused on deepening our advocacy in key areas such as aged care, housing, community services, and charity sector reforms. We remained committed to amplifying the voices of our member organisations, drawing on their expertise in service delivery to advocate for policies that uplift and empower marginalised Australians. 2023-2024 Baptist Care Australia ...

Australia's Kids - The State of the Nation

By Vanessa Mason posted 05-26-2025
Australia's Kids - The State of the Nation Like all Australians, we at Baptist Care Australia want to see the nation's children, families and communities flourish. Our vision is to work towards a nation of hope-filled, purposeful people building communities where every voice is heard. Our commitment is to the safety, happiness, participation and empowerment of all children. All Australian children have the right to access and receive quality supports and services where and when they need them. If this is the Australia we want, the wellbeing of our children is a crucial starting point. Our childhood sets the course of our future. The memories and experiences ...

Justice 2021 - Toward a more just Australia

By Vanessa Mason posted 05-26-2025
Justice 2021 - Toward a more just Australia Baptist Care Australia joined with other affiliates to publish the Justice 2021 report, which calls for action by the Australian Parliament and the Commonwealth Government to move our society towards a great realisation of justice. Justice is fundamental to every society that values the wellbeing of all its members. In the Christian tradition, to which the Australian Baptist churches belong, justice is grounded in the conviction that the earth and its resources are the gifts of God for the sustaining of all life, and that human communities are to be both the recipients and the stewards of this divine generosity. ...

Baptist Care Australia Media Release: State of Housing Report 2025

By Vanessa Mason posted 05-26-2025
Baptist Care Australia Media Release: State of Housing Report 2025 Baptist Care Australia welcomes the release of the State of the Housing System 2025 report by the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council (NHSAC). The report is unambiguous that Australia's housing crisis is getting worse, detailing some alarming facts: The supply of new housing in Australia is the lowest in a decade, with net new completed dwellings in 2024 at 155,000, almost 80,000 less than the estimated underlying demand Australia is projected to miss the 1.2 million homes by 2032 target under the Housing Accord by over 163,000 houses, and even more when factoring ...

Baptist Care Australia Responds to Aged Care Taskforce

By System posted 03-13-2024
WEDNESDAY 13 MARCH 2024 Baptist Care Australia strongly supports the Aged Care Taskforce's recommendations. We're discussing the urgent need for sustainable funding arrangements in aged care. These recommendations will pave the path for a fairer, more inclusive aged care system. It's about ensuring every Aussie gets quality care as they age, no matter where they're from. These reforms are a must to tackle the ever-growing needs of our older population. Click below to download the full PDF media release and hear from our CEO, Dr. Robyn Sampson. Stay informed and participate in the discussion on shaping the future of aged care in Australia. View Media ...

Introducing our new CEO!

By System posted 01-11-2024
THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2024 | NEWS, MEDIA RELEASE, FEATURE After careful consideration, the Baptist Care Australia Board is happy to announce the appointment of Dr Robyn Sampson as our new Chief Executive Officer. Dr Sampson brings with her a wealth of experience and a profound commitment to building societies that value the inherent dignity and equality of all people. Notably, her impactful advocacy work at the UN led to positive policy changes in over 40 countries and earned key commitments from all Member States as part of negotiations towards a new global compact. In addition to her remarkable record of impact, Robyn also holds a deep understanding and appreciation ...