Australian Government publications
A Stronger, Fairer Australia – a new social inclusion strategy
Launched on 28 January 2010, A Stronger, Fairer Australia sets out the Australian Government’s vision and strategy for social inclusion, now and into the future.
To read more about the strategy, please refer to the Media Release.
The Australian Public Service Social Inclusion Policy Design and Delivery Toolkit (August, 2009)
A practical guide to the design and delivery of government policy to ensure the needs of the disadvantaged are being met. It covers the six steps in the social inclusion method of policy design that all Commonwealth agencies are now required to apply.
Family Joblessness in Australia (January, 2009)
Written by Peter Whitford for the Social Inclusion Unit, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
This paper reviews the research on jobless families and considers the evidence that can account for persistent joblessness in some families. This in turn leads to a consideration of the need for policy that addresses both the adequacy of income and the effectiveness of employment services.
Social inclusion: Origins, concepts and key themes (2008)
Written by Alan Hayes, Matthew Gray and Ben Edwards, Australian Institute of Family Studies, for the Social Inclusion Unit, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
This paper highlights some of the definitional, conceptual and historical foundations of the concept of social inclusion. It sketches the scope of exclusion in terms of key priority areas: locational disadvantage, intergenerational disadvantage, children at risk, child poverty and jobless families, employment, mental health problems, disability, and homelessness. The paper also draws attention to the importance of relationships.
Australian Social Inclusion Board
Social Inclusion in Australia: How Australia is faring (January 2010)
The Australian Social Inclusion Board released its report, providing a statistical view of the nature of social inclusion in Australia.
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PDF 4.3MB | 
RTF 840KB)
Building Community Resilience (June, 2009)
Advises on the building of inclusive and resilient communities. Explains the principles and offers ideas on how to apply them. Includes practical examples and useful links to resources.
( PDF 486KB | RTF 160KB)
A Compendium of Social Inclusion Indicators: How’s Australia Faring? (May 2009)
Developed by the Board to generate discussion and debate on how best to measure disadvantage and social exclusion in Australia. Investigates how people are doing on income, access to the job market, social supports and networks, effects of the local neighbourhood, access to services and health.
( PDF 2.7MB | RTF 581KB)
Social Inclusion Principles: Summary (November 2008)
A summary of the principles of social inclusion that have been adopted by the Australian Government. It includes key elements of effective programs for children at greatest risk of long-term disadvantage and for jobless families.
( PDF 103KB | RTF 77KB)
Elements of Successful Programs and Services for Children at Greatest Risk (September 2008)
( PDF 155KB | RTF 62KB)
Findings from mental health and disability sector consultations (2008)
( PDF 154KB | RTF 40.5KB)
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Research Paper Series from DEEWR
The Department of Education Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) commissioned Professor Tony Vinson, University of Sydney, and member of the Australian Social Inclusion Board to write a series of research papers on social inclusion/ exclusion.
The Origins, Meaning, Definition and Economic Implications of the Concept of Social Inclusion/ Exclusion (Revised January, 2009)
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This introductory paper reviews major recent developments in various understandings of social exclusion and inclusion, considers the key elements that define the process of exclusion/ inclusion and the major European indicators. The evidence for economic benefits of a social inclusion policy is weighed and the long-term benefits of early intervention agued for.
( PDF 367KB | RTF 159KB) |
Markedly Socially Disadvantaged Localities in Australia: Their Nature and Possible Remediation (Revised Jan, 2009)
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Discusses the evidence for the existence of specific socially disadvantaged locations and shows that these areas are characterised by more than just economic disadvantage - social cohesion of the community is also important. The paper makes a critical point that in order for services and infrastructural interventions to be effective in the long run, they must not only be useful in their own right but simultaneously serve the end of strengthening the overall community.
( PDF 268KB | RTF 62KB) |
Social Exclusion and Early Childhood Development (Revised Jan, 2009)
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Presents an overview of the evidence showing that there are well-supported economic and social benefits of early education. Unfortunately the evidence also indicates that those most in need of this early education to help them in the long-term are the ones least likely to get it. Effective policy and practice to ameliorate this effect is discussed.
( PDF 302KB | RTF 100KB) |
Jobless Families in Australia (Revised January, 2009)
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This paper briefly reviews the data on the prevalence of jobless families and then proceeds to consider the prevalence and the personal and societal costs. Possible policy responses are also discussed.
( PDF 255KB | RTF 65KB) |
Intergenerational Disadvantage (Revised January, 2009)
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Provides a brief overview of the evidence on intergenerational disadvantage and considers the primary factors leading to it. Some recent evidence on the costs of this disadvantage are also considered.
( PDF 258KB | RTF 52KB) |
Indigenous Social Exclusion (Revised January, 2009)
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Presents statistical data on the many dimensions of social exclusion experienced by Indigenous people. He then goes on to consider the policy challenges in an arena with such demonstrable policy inadequacies. The potential value of a program logic model for guiding new policy developments is argued for.
( PDF 291KB | RTF 69KB) |
Research Paper Series from PM&C
As part of its social inclusion agenda, the government is working on ways in which it can help facilitate key initiatives that progress the establishment, and progression, of social enterprises, social investment, models for measuring social impact and volunteering in Australia. An example of this type of work is the Jobs Fund, a discretionary grants program that supports innovative projects which create jobs and employment opportunities in communities affected by the economic downturn, including through the development of social enterprises.
For more information about the Jobs Fund visit Keep Australia Working.
The following papers by the Centre for Social Impact were commissioned by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C) to further develop thinking in relation to the government’s role in progressing these kinds of initiatives.
Addressing disadvantage in social investment
( PDF 425KB | RTF 193KB)
Addressing social disadvantage through volunteering
( PDF 261KB | RTF 209KB)
Measuring impact
( PDF 2.9MB | RTF 207KB)
Social enterprise – a powerful path
( PDF 412KB | RTF 242KB)
Keynote Presentations from the Social Inclusion Conference
The Australian Government’s inaugural Social Inclusion Conference was held from 28-29 January 2010 in Melbourne. The two-day conference aimed to progress the social inclusion agenda through: the exchange of ideas; presentations from Australian and international experts; and by providing opportunities for networking and collaboration between representatives from the government, business, the not-for-profit sector and academia.
The conference featured keynote presentations from Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector Ursula Stephens, Australian Social Inclusion Board Chair Patricia Faulkner, Professor Sir Michael Marmot, Christine Davies CBE and David Droga.
Keynote Presentation by Professor Sir Michael Marmot - Social determinants, social inclusion, and the health gradient
( PDF 2MB)*
* There is no RTF version of this document available. If you would like an alternative version of this document please contact 02 6271 5674 or socialinclusionunit@pmc.gov.au.
Keynote Presentation by Christine Davies CBE - Children at risk ‘what it takes to narrow the gap’
( PDF 3MB | RTF 41KB)
Keynote Presentation by Patricia Faulkner AO, Chair of the Australian Social Inclusion Board - Social Inclusion in Australia
( PDF 1MB |RTF 58KB)
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