Community Engagement Newsletter – 12 June 2026
Dear community representatives,
Thank you for your ongoing support and contributions to the community. The CLO Network has collated the following newsletter of important information from across the Australian Government that may be of interest to yourself and members of your community. Please feel free to forward this newsletter, or any of its sections, to members of your community.
In this fortnight’s edition, you can find information on the following:
- GrantConnect and Grants Hub – Applications and Feedback
- Migrants on Training Visas – Exploitation and Reporting
- 2026 Australian Census – Resources
- Preparing your Tax Return
- Have your say on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032
- SEE – Ready to Learn New Skills?
- Immigration Status Resolution Service – Parramatta Outreach and Engagement
- Useful information in your language
- Contact us
GrantConnect and Grants Hub – Applications and Feedback
Do you know your GrantConnect from your Grants Hub? Missed out on a grant and not sure what’s next?
There’s a lot to know about applying for and managing a grant.
Do you know your GrantConnect from your Grants Hub? Missed out on a grant and not sure what’s next?
There’s a lot to know about applying for and managing a grant.
GrantConnectis for all Australian Government grants. Use it to:
-
- check for forecasts of upcoming grants to help you plan
- read about grants awarded
- create a login to apply for Australian Government grants
- register for notification emails when new Australian Government grant opportunities open.
- Grants Hubs can be used by Australian Government departments to help manage grants.
All grant opportunities require an application and undergo a rigorous and competitive selection process. GrantConnect, Grants Hubs and Departments can not help you write your application. This is so everyone can apply equally. There are lots of resources to help you write a strong application. Start with:
- Multicultural Grants
There are new Help applying resources available in 16 languages
Community Grants Hub
Applying for a grant
https://www.communitygrants.gov.au/grant-support/applying-grant
If you missed out on an application, check the application feedback. Feedback helps you learn about the strengths of applications and ways your application could be strengthened for next time. You can read Community Grants Hub Application Feedback at
https://www.communitygrants.gov.au/application-feedback
Migrants on Training Visas – Exploitation and Reporting
From Gayndah to the Gold Coast, Western Australia to Wagga Wagga – Australian Border Force officers are on the ground across every corner of Australia targeting employers who are exploiting migrant workers on training visas.
The four-month operation will see:
- 200+ workplaces to be visited
- All states & territories covered
- Both regional and metro locations targeted
All workers in Australia are entitled to fair treatment, regardless of visa status. Sponsors who fail to meet their obligations can expect strong compliance and enforcement action which may result in significant penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
If you, or anyone that you know, are the subject of exploitation by your employer, please lodge a report with Border Watch by completing their online form:
Border Watch Online Report This report can be lodged anonymously.
2026 Australian Census – Resources
Australia’s National Census for 2026 will take place on Tuesday 11 August. In preparation, the Australian Bureau of Statistics have prepared a ‘Help and Support Resources’ page on their website with helpful tools to help you and your community prepare for the census.
On this page you will find stakeholder kits, information sheets and infographics to help you spread the word on the census. There are also dedicated sections with resources for migrants, refugees and international visitors, as well as resources for other diverse groups.
To visit this page and access resources for the 2026 census, please visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ census website:Resources | Census Information
Preparing your Tax Return
As the end of the financial year approaches (30 June), the Australian Tax Office ATO) has valuable resources for managing your tax return, whether as an individual or family as a business or as a not-for-profit organisation You can also download in-language resources which cover topics including what you need to do at tax time, getting free help to do your tax return and occupation and work-related expenses. There are also audio and video guides available in a wide range of languages. See: Tax time resources in languages other than English | Australian Taxation OfficeSupports are also available for:
Lodging prior to leaving Australia
Lodging from outside of Australia
Finally, be mindful that if using a tax agent to prepare your return, they must be registered with the Tax Practitioners Board. Information on how to lodge with an agent can be found here:
Lodge with a registered tax agent | Australian Taxation Office
Have your say on the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032
The Australian Government, working with states and territories, is developing the Second Action Plan under Australia’s National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032 (the National Plan).
Ending gender-based violence is a national priority. Everyone deserves to live free from fear and violence.
Violence is shaped by social norms, structural and gender inequality and power imbalances that sit beyond any one system and beyond government alone. It requires action from all of us. Have your say and help build a safer Australia for everyone!
Consultation is now open and closes on 31 July 2026. Click this link to start the short survey:
Second Action Plan – Short Survey – engage.dss.gov.au
For more information, visit Consultation on the Second Action Plan (National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032) – engage.dss.gov.au
SEE – Ready to Learn New Skills?
Want to feel more comfortable filling out forms, reading to your child or applying for jobs?
The Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program is FREE and helps you build everyday skills in reading, writing, maths and using a computer – no matter your background.
With SEE, you can access:
- flexible training options
- learning at your own pace
- support for English and non-English speakers.
Take the first step towards new opportunities with SEE.
To find out more including the eligibility, visit
Immigration Status Resolution Service – Parramatta Outreach and Engagement
The Department of Home Affairs invites you and your communities to come meet with the NSW Community Status Resolution team in collaboration with the ACT Community Engagement team.
We will be present for a Community Leader Presentation and two client-facing outreach events in Parramatta, NSW so we are inviting you and your communities to come in and have a chat with us.
What is Status Resolution?
The Immigration Status Resolution Service helps individuals in Australia who do not have a valid visa or who hold a Bridging visa E. The service ensures that individuals can remain in Australia lawfully while they await the outcome of a substantive visa application or make plans to depart Australia.
Presentation for Community Leaders
We will be conducting an evening, Community Leader Presentation to discuss the services we provide, and to connect with community leaders, NGOs and other external stakeholders within the Greater Sydney area.
This presentation will be conducted at 101 George Street – Department of Home Affairs, Parramatta NSW, Wednesday 24th June 2026 from 5:45pm – 7:00pm. If you would like to attend the presentation, could you please send an RSVP by 22nd June 2026, to SRN.Engagement@homeaffairs.gov.au with:
- The names of those attending
- The email addresses of those attending
Please note that this presentation is NOT open for clients to attend. Clients should instead be directed to attend the following days’ client-facing outreach events.
Client-Facing Outreach Events
We will be conducting two client-facing outreach events over the following days:
- 5 Parramatta Square – PHIVE, Parramatta NSW, Thursday 25th June 2026 from 9:30am – 4:00pm
- 5 Parramatta Square – PHIVE, Parramatta NSW, Friday 26th June 2026 from 9:30am – 4:00pm
No RSVP is required for these client-facing outreach events, we offer a walk-in service where we will be available to grant Bridging Visa Es to people with expired visas and those who are currently unlawful in the community.
We encourage you to share these outreach event dates with your communities and if anyone currently has an expired visa and would like to talk with us, encourage them to attend one of these outreach events.
Please note these dates and times in your calendars and we hope to see you all there.
If anyone within your community wishes to contact our team outside of those event times, please provide them with this link:
Useful information in your language
Australian Citizenship test resource booklet
Australian Values – Life in Australia booklet
Domestic/family violence and your visa*
Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)
Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation*
eSafety Commissioner – be safe online
Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC)*
Australian Electoral Commission
Australian Taxation Office – Information about Tax
Fair Work Ombudsman – Your workplace rights
Department of Health and Aged Care
My Aged Care – Accessible aged care services
Carer Gateway – If you are a carer for someone
Scamwatch – Protect yourself from scams
Services Australia – Centrelink and Medicare
Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National)*
Contact us
Your feedback is vital to the Department and informs policy, decision making and government messaging. We welcome engagement and encourage you to contact us by phone or by emailing us with questions or feedback about community concerns, government messaging, community misconceptions issues such as racism and discrimination.
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