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.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/651479bfcacc13293e7efd8c_BSL-Executive-Director-Travers-McLeod.webp)
![A headshot of BSL Executive Director Travis McLeod wearing a light pink dress shirt and standing outside with trees behind him.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/6519fbf89cfc4c9f7b8fd162__SZ38687.webp)
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.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/651479c0dc9f2b73bee56e32_BSL-stephen-newton-ao.webp)
![A headshot of BSL Board Chair Stephen Newton AO. He is wearing a charcoal suit and navy blue tie on white dress shirt.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/6519fbf82cdc9e4b7d4c269b_stephen-newton-ao.webp)
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.
![Northern Vic MPs BSL team](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/651246e624595224b1b50656_Northern%20Vic%20MPs.webp)
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.
Policy submissions and research publications helped lay the groundwork for change
households supported to cut energy bills with Power Saving Bonus
a fortnight increase to Jobseeker rate following Federal Budget advocacy
families set up for a bright start to school through HIPPY
young people in BSL Jobs Victoria First Jobs project were supported into employment
Youth Advisers set the agenda for change through a Youth Advisory Group
people with disability supported to help reach their goals – 10% of all NDIS participants
Local Government Areas covered by our wide-reaching disability services
engagement activities with co-location partners to promote inclusion and accessibility
years of partnership celebrated with ANZ in our Given the Chance program
of participants who set employment as a goal have found jobs through the SEED project
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.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/6512464cfb827a21aa24252f_Mask%20Group%2031.webp)
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.
![BSL NDIS participant Tim and Local Area Coordinator Yi are sitting on a step outside what looks like a house, enjoying a break after a workout.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/65124662b6de29422286326e_Mask%20Group%2028.webp)
Participation for all
We’ve worked towards inclusion for everyone, helping create a society where each person is valued and can take part.
![Shirley, a BSL home care client in Frankston, is sitting in a wheelchair smiling at the camera.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/651246793031a6889aef47b3_Mask%20Group%2030.webp)
Supporting needs as we age
We’ve supported older people to stay safe, healthy and engaged according to their needs.
![BSL staff member Justin Tan is pictured at the BSL expo. They are standing holding a brown cardigan in their left hand and a take away coffee in their right hand.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/65124689adf443b8b5b52a89_Mask%20Group%2032.webp)
Businesses for good
We’ve helped end poverty and disadvantage in practical ways, while also building connections and shaping communities.
![A dark-skinned person leaning on a reception counter with their face reflected in the glass.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/651246a370ad7f9398fecee1__CSZ4043.webp)
Our community of changemakers
We’ve continued to harness the passion, experience and talents of volunteers as we work together towards an Australia free of poverty.
![Pictured are three people, standing close together and looking at the camera.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/651b67033336a3f07470701e_651248f0d27506a6fc7444e3_Chaplaincy.webp)
Care, community, and connections
We’ve worked hard to build up and support people within the BSL team and the broader community.
![BSL Executive Director Travis McLeod with two indigenous Australians at the BSL Coolibah Centre.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/6512464cfb827a21aa24252f_Mask%20Group%2031.webp)
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.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/6512464cfb827a21aa24252f_Mask%20Group%2031.webp)
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.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/6512464cfb827a21aa24252f_Mask%20Group%2031.webp)
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.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/6512464cfb827a21aa24252f_Mask%20Group%2031.webp)
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.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/6512464cfb827a21aa24252f_Mask%20Group%2031.webp)
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.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/6512464cfb827a21aa24252f_Mask%20Group%2031.webp)
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.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/6512464cfb827a21aa24252f_Mask%20Group%2031.webp)
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.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/6512464cfb827a21aa24252f_Mask%20Group%2031.webp)
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.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/6512464cfb827a21aa24252f_Mask%20Group%2031.webp)
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.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/6512464cfb827a21aa24252f_Mask%20Group%2031.webp)
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
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64dab1eabb85de05373262d5/652f39612d451a42f03e8e84_Nathan3.jpg)
‘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.
![](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64dab1eabb85de05373262d5/65138238fec356d50da51015_64f6b4865b5aa4b4fbd8a04d_bsl-stories-2.png)
‘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.](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/64d17944ca3acda5941572a6/651246d33cd0d0af060ff82b_Mask%20Group%2017.webp)
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.