Families across Victoria are facing growing financial pressure as the cost of housing and everyday living continues to rise. At the same time, demand for community services is increasing, leaving many children, young people and families without the support they need until challenges have escalated into crisis.
Uniting’s Victorian Election Platform 2026 outlines five targeted, evidence-based priorities that focus on prevention, early intervention and better outcomes for children, young people and families.
We are calling on the next Victorian Government to invest in:
1. Family Wellbeing Connect
$7.8 million over four years
Establish a statewide network of Family Wellbeing Connectors embedded across Uniting’s 103 early learning programs in 62 Victorian communities. These connectors would provide practical support, coaching, service navigation and coordinated connections to community services before challenges escalate into crisis.
This early intervention initiative will help families access practical support before challenges escalate into crisis. By strengthening connections between families and existing community services, Family Wellbeing Connect will improve family wellbeing while maximising Victoria’s investment in early childhood education and care.
2. Victorian Kinship Care Guarantee
$654 million to $751.1 million over four years
Deliver a comprehensive reform package to ensure children living with kith and kin receive the financial, therapeutic and practical support they need, regardless of placement type.
Victorian carers currently receive significantly less financial support compared with carers in other states and territories.
A Victorian Kinship Care Guarantee would improve placement stability, strengthen children’s connections to family, culture and community, and support better health, wellbeing and educational outcomes.
3. Meals for Change
$3 million over four years
Expand Uniting’s innovative youth engagement program from the Central Highlands into Wimmera and Gippsland.
Meals for Change supports young people experiencing, or at risk of social isolation, homelessness and disadvantage. This investment will strengthen mental health and wellbeing, build social connections, and increase participation in education, training and employment.
4. Ruby’s Reunification Program
$5.48 million over four years
Establish Victoria’s first Ruby’s Reunification Program in Ballarat, combining therapeutic family support with short-term respite accommodation for young people experiencing family conflict or at risk of youth homelessness.
This evidence-informed early intervention model helps address family conflict through whole-of-family therapeutic counselling and practical support before it reaches crisis point, enabling young people to remain safely connected to their families, schools and communities.
5. Catalyst Rehabilitation Service
$11.2 million over four years
Expand Uniting’s award-winning Catalyst alcohol and other drug rehabilitation program across four locations in Regional Victoria – Ballarat, Wimmera, Gippsland and Goulburn.
This investment will give regional Victorians access to intensive, evidence-based treatment closer to home, helping participants stay connected to family, education, employment and community while receiving support.
Building stronger families and communities
Together, these initiatives create a continuum of support, from prevention and early intervention through to intensive family support, treatment and reduced demand on crisis services.
By investing earlier, Victoria can ensure children, young people and families receive the right support at the right time, building stronger families, healthier communities and better futures.
