Budget 2025: What’s in store for the social sector?

With the recently released 2025 federal budget, here’s a sneak peek of what lies ahead for not-for-profits.

Investments in First Nations communities

The 2025 budget outlines the following federal government investments to support stronger outcomes for First Nations Australians:

$23.9 million over five years from 2024–25 to strengthen the Indigenous Procurement Policy

$3.4 million over three years from 2025–26 to establish a place‑based business coaching and mentoring program for First Nations businesswomen and entrepreneurs

$70.9 million boost in the Indigenous Business Australia’s Home Loan Capital Fund by over two years from 2025–26 to increase opportunities for First Nations Australians to buy their own home and build intergenerational wealth

$842.6 million over six years from 1 July 2025 towards the Northern Territory Remote Aboriginal Investment, in partnership with the Northern Territory Government and the Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory

$21.8 million over two years from 2025–26 to further address family, domestic, and sexual violence in First Nations communities by continuing the delivery of prevention, early intervention and response services

Support for people with disability

The budget invests $423.8 million to support people with disability, which includes the following:

$364.5 million to reform the Information Linkages and Capacity Building program, complementing additional foundational supports to be co‑funded with states and territories

$42.2 million to deliver the National Autism Strategy

$17.1 million to establish the Accessible Australia program to increase inclusion through more accessible public infrastructure.

The Department of Social Services (DSS), however, will experience its first decrease in funding this term of government. This year’s budget figures confirm that total DSS funding will increase by less than the cost of funding administered by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA).

Total portfolio funding will increase from $55.6 billion last financial year to $69.1 billion in 2028-29, whilst NDIA-administered funding will rise from $46.2 billion to $62.2 billion. By the end of the forward estimates, funding given to National Disability Insurance Scheme participants will make up more than 90% of the social services budget.

Geraldine Grones

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Geraldine is currently the Content Producer for Third Sector, an Akolade channel. Throughout her career, she has written for various industries and international audiences. Her love for writing extends beyond the corporate world, as she also works as a volunteer writer at her local church. Aside from writing, she is also fond of joining fun runs and watching musicals.