Annual report 2023

Reshaping
Australia’s
future

Making change that lasts

Change has always been at the heart of our story. For over 90 years, we’ve been helping to reshape the course of lives, communities and systems by making the lasting change needed to end poverty and disadvantage in Australia. In this annual report, we share our achievements over the past year in driving innovation, collaboration, and impact to make change happen. We also look forward to the next chapter as we introduce our new strategic plan for the years ahead, continuing our work in reshaping Australia’s future.

Reflections from our leaders

A headshot of BSL Executive Director Travis McLeod wearing a light pink dress shirt and standing outside with trees behind him.A headshot of BSL Executive Director Travis McLeod wearing a light pink dress shirt and standing outside with trees behind him.

A message from our Executive Director, Travers McLeod

'I’m excited for how we are setting ourselves up for greater influence as we head towards our centenary in 2030.'

A headshot of BSL Board Chair Stephen Newton AO. He is wearing a charcoal suit and navy blue tie on white dress shirt.A headshot of BSL Board Chair Stephen Newton AO. He is wearing a charcoal suit and navy blue tie on white dress shirt.

A message from our Board Chair, Stephen Newton AO

'Our enduring focus has always been on shaping that better future for our nation.'

Thank you

We know that it takes people to make change happen.To our Board, team, volunteers, partners and supporters we say thank you for your hard work, commitment and contribution to creating a fairer Australia.

BSL team

Our year of impact

In the past year, we worked with over 82,470 participants to help reshape the future through long-term change. We also delivered 25 youth and community programs through a total of 165 partnerships.

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30

Policy submissions and research publications helped lay the groundwork for change

16,000+

households supported to cut energy bills with Power Saving Bonus

$40

a fortnight increase to Jobseeker rate following Federal Budget advocacy

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6148

families set up for a bright start to school through HIPPY

23

young people in BSL Jobs Victoria First Jobs project were supported into employment

13

Youth Advisers set the agenda for change through a Youth Advisory Group

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58,072

people with disability supported to help reach their goals – 10% of all NDIS participants

24

Local Government Areas covered by our wide-reaching disability services

1148

engagement activities with co-location partners to promote inclusion and accessibility

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15

years of partnership celebrated with ANZ in our Given the Chance program

75%

of participants who set employment as a goal have found jobs through the SEED project

7800

people supported in our work and learning programs to open opportunities

Highlights across our work

Explore some of this year’s key achievements throughout our many services, projects and initiatives.

BSL Executive Director Travis McLeod with two indigenous Australians at the BSL Coolibah Centre.
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Chaplaincy

Care, community, and connections

We’ve helped reshape the future by driving big-picture, big-impact change that makes a difference in the lives of many.

BSL Executive Director Travis McLeod with two indigenous Australians at the BSL Coolibah Centre.
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Volunteering

Our community of changemakers

We’ve helped reshape the future by driving big-picture, big-impact change that makes a difference in the lives of many.

BSL Executive Director Travis McLeod with two indigenous Australians at the BSL Coolibah Centre.
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Social enterprises

Businesses for good

We’ve helped reshape the future by driving big-picture, big-impact change that makes a difference in the lives of many.

BSL Executive Director Travis McLeod with two indigenous Australians at the BSL Coolibah Centre.
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Social Policy and Research Centre (SPARC)

Policy and research that matters

We’ve helped reshape the future by driving big-picture, big-impact change that makes a difference in the lives of many.

BSL Executive Director Travis McLeod with two indigenous Australians at the BSL Coolibah Centre.
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Aged care

Supporting needs as we age

We’ve helped reshape the future by driving big-picture, big-impact change that makes a difference in the lives of many.

BSL Executive Director Travis McLeod with two indigenous Australians at the BSL Coolibah Centre.
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Disability + diversity, equity and inclusion

Participation for all

We’ve helped reshape the future by driving big-picture, big-impact change that makes a difference in the lives of many.

BSL Executive Director Travis McLeod with two indigenous Australians at the BSL Coolibah Centre.
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Work, economic security and social inclusion

Opening opportunities

We’ve helped reshape the future by driving big-picture, big-impact change that makes a difference in the lives of many.

BSL Executive Director Travis McLeod with two indigenous Australians at the BSL Coolibah Centre.
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Youth

Unlocking potential

We’ve helped reshape the future by driving big-picture, big-impact change that makes a difference in the lives of many.

BSL Executive Director Travis McLeod with two indigenous Australians at the BSL Coolibah Centre.
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Children

Strong foundations for life

We’ve helped reshape the future by driving big-picture, big-impact change that makes a difference in the lives of many.

BSL Executive Director Travis McLeod with two indigenous Australians at the BSL Coolibah Centre.
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Advocacy + reconciliation

Raising our collective voice

We’ve helped reshape the future by driving big-picture, big-impact change that makes a difference in the lives of many.

Reshaping lives
stories from our community

‘It was really good to have people hear me, so it’s not just people reading facts and numbers but they understand our real experience.’

‘It meant a lot that someone like me could be talking to all these people that make decisions.’

Nathan Carolus, a participant in our youth services, was supported by BSL to take part in the federal government’s 2022 Jobs and Skills Summit and speak with the Prime Minister and Treasurer.

‘The future is really exciting… we can help create real change for First Nations people.’

Grace Birch, our newly appointed First Nations Employment Adviser, has a personal and family connection with BSL and its work – and is a big part of our journey to reconciliation.

The next chapter — our vision for reshaping the future

Strategy
2030

The next chapter — our vision for reshaping the future

We’re looking forward to building on our achievements so far with our new Strategy 2030, setting out the path towards a more inclusive, fair Australia.

Reshaping our organisation

BSL welcomes three new chief officers

We’ve enhanced our leadership structure by introducing three new leaders in the areas of service design and provision, strategy and operations – putting great people and structures in place to continue to take us forward.

An array of stands at the BSL expo, each with a poster on it which shows one era from the BSL timeline.

Governance and financials

Our strong organisational systems, financial diligence and sound oversight have again set the foundations for BSL to deliver on our vision and mission over the past financial year.