Mission Australia

Bike assembly 101 🚲🔧 When Shelby and Fran saw young people in the Northern Territory without a way to get to work, they grabbed some tools and built bikes.      As part of our Transition to Work program, our staff go above and beyond to help young people thrive in their workplaces.     🔗Mission Australia’s Transition to Work connects employers with job-ready youth while supporting them through work, education, and training. Learn more about the program here: https://lnkd.in/gS36R3px

A big shout out to our NT Team! 📣   This week, two incredible NT leaders came together to discuss their shared passion for supporting communities. Dr. Paul Royce, our NT Regional Leader, had the privilege of meeting the Hon. Professor Hugh Heggie, Administrator of the Northern Territory. As a former doctor in remote NT, Dr. Heggie knows firsthand the importance of our work and he wanted to pass on his sincere gratitude to our entire NT team. So, a huge THANK YOU to our NT crew, you’re making a real difference every day, and we couldn’t be prouder! 👏

Here’s how Alana overcame homelessness and built the future she dreamed of! With determination and the right support, Alana pursued her studies and landed her dream job as a support worker - and she’s just getting started!   *Mission Australia’s Transition to Work connects employers with job-ready youth while supporting them through work, education, and training.

🏠 A Fond Farewell to Chris Bratchford, Executive Housing at Mission Australia... After a decade of dedication and leadership at Mission Australia, Chris Bratchford, Executive Housing, will be retiring this June. Chris joined Mission Australia in January 2015, when our Housing team managed around 1,800 properties mainly across NSW and Tasmania, with a team of 40 staff. Tasked with growing our housing portfolio and ensuring tenants received the quality support they needed, Chris quickly became a driving force in the success of our Tier One Community Housing Provider, Mission Australia Housing.  Today, as one of Australia’s largest community housing and services providers, we are proud to have a passionate, skilled and committed Housing team of 100+ people, a portfolio of more than 4,600 properties (with an additional 900 contracted and in the pipeline), and a robust growth strategy. Under Chris’ strategic leadership, Mission Australia has provided safe, secure housing that people can afford and the professional, holistic and person-centred support they need to stay in their home and thrive. In 2021, Chris also took on the Mission Australia leasehold and freehold property portfolio, transforming it into a critical function to support our ongoing growth. Throughout his time with us, he worked closely with the Board, the housing sector, and governments to drive sector-wide change and ensure tenants’ voices were heard in shaping government policy. Beyond his professional achievements, Chris will be remembered for his strategic vision, sharp intellect, and unwavering commitment to social impact. While we will deeply miss his leadership, we celebrate his next chapter—one filled with hiking, cycling, travel, and well-deserved rest. As we prepare for Chris’ retirement, we are grateful for his leadership and vision. He will work with us over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition, including assisting in onboarding his successor. With several major housing tenders in development and exciting growth plans in our new 2030 Strategy, we look forward to continuing the momentum Chris helped create. Thank you, Chris, for your incredible contribution to Mission Australia. Your legacy will continue to shape the future of housing at Mission Australia for years to come. 🙏

🏡 The housing crisis is hitting harder than ever—every hour, over 3,000 Australians seek help from homelessness services. Rising costs, extreme weather, and domestic violence make it even tougher. We need real action, not just band-aid solutions. Ahead of the Federal Budget and election, we’re calling on the government to invest in the National Housing and Homelessness Plan, including a $500M Homelessness Prevention Fund and one million new social and affordable homes. 

“People are feeling safe and secure living here.”   Charles didn’t just find a home, he gained a community, where he feels safe, supported and included.   Our Tenancy teams work alongside people who are transitioning into public or community housing. Through a variety of community events and programs, we offer holistic support to help them settle into their new homes and thrive.   Thanks Department of Housing and Public Works, for helping build happy, connected communities and giving people a place to call home.

Our team in Whyalla brought their thoughts and feelings to life with an incredible ‘Inside Out’ themed pageant float.  It was a colourful celebration of their work supporting the local community with wellbeing, connection and metal health programs. 

🌡️ Feeling the heat? Extreme heat doesn’t affect everyone the same way. Vulnerable groups—like renters, the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with chronic health conditions—are at greater risk during heatwaves. Today, Sweltering Cities launched Australia’s first #ExtremeHeatAwarenessDay to raise awareness of rising temperatures, the risks of extreme heat, and how we can address these challenges together. On the NSW Mid North Coast, energy efficiency upgrades funded through our partnership with Great Southern Bank helps our residents tackle rising temperatures, stay cool over the summer and save on energy bills. #ExtremeHeatAwarenessDay #EHAD2025 #ClimateAction #SwelteringCities

Yes to #10NewFoyers! We support The Foyer Foundation's call for Federal Government investment in ten new Youth Foyers across the country.   🙌 Mission Australia's Townsville Youth Foyer opened its doors in July 2024 and we're already seeing positive outcomes for the 40 young people who call the service home. 🏡 Youth Foyers deliver a safe, secure and affordable place to live and study. We're proud to deliver Youth Foyers as one of many measures to address #youthhomelessness in Australia.

As kids head back to school, many families are feeling the pinch, with a new report revealing a 33% rise in back-to-school costs.    In Brisbane, our services are helping to bridge the gap. In partnership with Deception Bay Baptist Church, our recent back-to-school event helped 100 children get ready for school with free haircuts from a local barber, essential school supplies, and a BBQ lunch topped off with snow cones.     *The back-to-school event was a partnership between Mission Australia and Deception Bay Baptist Church with haircuts provided by Cut Castle. *Analysis from the ‘Cost of Education Index’ from Futurity Investment.