20 June 2025
A new report released today by the Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) reveals that the Territory’s not-for-profit community services sector is not only vital social infrastructure but also a key economic driver — employing nearly 10% of the NT workforce and contributing significantly to Gross State Product.
The Value of the Not-for-Profit Sector 2025 report, commissioned by NTCOSS and authored by the University of Western Australia’s Centre for Public Value, shows the sector continues to grow in size and demand — but is operating under increasing financial stress.
Key findings include:
- The sector now employs 13,209 Territorians, representing 9.7% of the NT workforce — more than mining and agriculture combined.
- NT charities delivered 2,750 programs, 40% of which were led by Territory-headquartered organisations.
- Sector income rose to $1.7 billion, yet profitability dropped by 38.9%, with nearly 80% of charities failing to cover cost increases.
NTCOSS CEO Sally Sievers said the findings were both a validation of the sector’s essential role and a stark warning about its sustainability. “The NT community sector delivers thousands of essential programs across every region of the Territory — from domestic, family and sexual violence services to housing, family support, disability and youth services. These are not just frontline services — they are economic engines, major employers, and the glue that holds our communities together,” she said.
“But these organisations are stretched. They are delivering more with less: as demand grows, costs increase, and funding fails to keep up. Without real investment and better policy settings, the sector cannot continue to absorb these pressures.”
Report author Professor David Gilchrist said the findings call for coordinated action. “The Northern Territory’s not-for-profit sector plays a critical role in both social and economic outcomes. This report shows that while the sector continues to deliver immense value, its financial and workforce sustainability is increasingly under threat. Investment in this sector is not a cost — it is a multiplier,” he said.
Download the 2025 Value of the Sector Report
Contact: Morgan Rickard 0491 811 233 media-sectorsupport@ntcoss.org.au