News and Media Releases - NTCOSS - Northern Territory Council of Social Service

Media Release: New report shows Territorians hit harder than majority of country by rising cost of living

June 4, 2026

03 June 2026 New report shows Territorians hit harder than majority of country by rising costs of living. The Northern...

Media Release: NT Budget a missed opportunity to support everyday Territorians

May 6, 2026

05 May 2026 Leaders from across the Northern Territory social services sector say that today’s NT Budget is amissed opportunity...

Media Release: Essential Territory frontline services impacted by fuel crisis

April 23, 2026

20 April 2026 • Remote communities suffering the immediate impact of fuel crisis.• New data has revealed that critical frontline...

Joint Media Statement – Expert coalition condemns language putting NT women a trisk

March 4, 2026

Expert coalition condemns language putting NT women at risk A Coalition of Northern Territory Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Services...

NT Shelter and NTCOSS Respond to High Court Ruling on Remote Rent Framework

December 8, 2025

STATEMENT BY NT SHELTER and NTCOSS Wednesday 3 December 2025 NT Shelter and NTCOSS Respond to High Court Ruling on...

Joint Media Statement – One Year On From Coroner’s Findings: Sector Calls for Recognition, Action and Accountability

November 25, 2025

25 November 2025 Today marks twelve months since the NT Coroner made 35 recommendations following the landmark inquest into the...

Media Release: New factsheets show Territorians locked out of affordable housing and paying more for essentials

October 14, 2025

14 October 2025 The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS), with contributions from NT Shelter, today released new Cost...

JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT: “We Know What Works — It’s Time to Build the System to Match”: Specialist Services Respond to Government’s Report on Coroner’s DFSV Recommendations

July 29, 2025

A coalition of community services are calling for youth justice reform that strengthens community safety by investing in what A...

JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT: “Safety, Not Soundbites: Community-Led Solutions Key to Youth Justice Reform”

July 29, 2025

29 July 2025 A coalition of community services are calling for youth justice reform that strengthens community safety by investing...

JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT: “Diversion Delivers: Justice & Healing for Victims, Young People, and Communities”

July 17, 2025

17 July 2025 A coalition of Northern Territory community organisations and leaders are calling on the Northern Territory Government to...

Joint Media Release: Bus Policy isn’t New — But the Sign Sends a New Message

June 27, 2025

27 June 2025 Peak bodies and major NT community and homelessness service providers are calling on the Northern Territory Government...

Media Release: New Report Shows the Critical Economic Contribution of NT’s Community Sector – and Why It’s at Risk

June 20, 2025

20 June 2025 A new report released today by the Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) reveals that the...

Media Release: Territorians Struggling to Afford the Basics, New Cost of Living Reports Show

May 26, 2025

26 May 2025 The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) has today released two new Cost of Living Reports,...

Media Release: Responds to 2025 NT Budget: Positive Steps Acknowledge, Gaps Remain

May 14, 2025

14 May 2025 The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) acknowledges positive initiatives in the NT Government’s 2025 Budget...

Media Release: NTCOSS and Specialist DFSV Services Respond to NT Government’s $36 Million Funding Announcement

May 14, 2025

14 May 2025 Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS), on behalf of the Territory’s specialist DFSV sector, welcomes the...

Media Release: National Family Violence Remembrance Day 2025: NTCOSS DFSV Network Responds to Scrutiny Committee Inquiry Outcome – Calls on Government to “Work with Us” to Prioritize Prevention Over Punishment

May 8, 2025

07 May 2025 On National Family Violence Remembrance Day 2025, the Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) Domestic, Family...

Media Release: A Fairer Future for the Territory – NTCOSS Launches 2025 Federal Election Priorities

May 8, 2025

22 April 2025 The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) has today released its 2025 Federal Election Priorities, calling...

Media Release: NTCOSS acknowledges end of NT DFSV Advisory Forum & calls for continued collaboration to address domestic, family and sexual violence

May 8, 2025

10 April 2025 The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) acknowledges the dissolution of the NT Domestic, Family and...

Media Release: NTCOSS supports fair and sustainable Portable Long Service Leave for the Northern Territory community sector

March 19, 2025

19 March 2025 The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) acknowledges the NT Government’s plan to repeal the existing...

Media Release: NTCOSS Calls for Urgent Action on Workforce Development and Sustainability in Domestic Violence Response

November 26, 2024

26 November 2024 The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) acknowledges and pays its respects to Kumarn Rabuntja, Kumanjayi...

MEDIA RELEASE: Cost of Living October 2024

October 14, 2024

14 October 2024 NTCOSS’ latest Cost of Living Factsheets reveal crisis hits territory hard as food, transport and housing prices...

NTCOSS CEO Sally Sievers OPED on the upcoming NT Election in Croakey Health Media

August 7, 2024

NTCOSS CEO Sally Sievers OPED on the upcoming NT Election in Croakey Health Media Published on Croakey Introduction by Croakey:...

Media Release: Funding the Frontline of fight against DFSV

August 1, 2024

31 July 2024 NTCOSS welcomes both major parties’ announcement to committing $180 million, funding the specialist Domestic, Family and Sexual...

Media Release: NTCOSS urges parties to commit to solar on social housing

July 23, 2024

23 July 2024 NTCOSS, the peak body for the Social and Community Sector in the NT, is urging political parties...

Media Release: NTCOSS statement on Portable Long Service Leave

May 30, 2024

23 May 2024 NTCOSS is and has been supportive of Portable Long Service Leave for social and community sector employees...

NTCOSS NT Pre-Budget Submission 2024-2025

January 26, 2024

Download NTCOSS Pre-Budget Submission 2024-2025 in PDF

NTCOSS urges NT and Commonwealth provide protections for Territorians amid cost of living crisis

October 5, 2023

Territorians need more support and better protections to afford the basic costs of living, including access to affordable housing, transport...

NT Government must work with Aboriginal communities after raising age of criminal responsibility to 12

August 3, 2023

https://www.hrlc.org.au/news/2023/08/01/nt-raise-the-age A coalition of Aboriginal, community, justice and human rights organisations says that as new NT laws to raise the...

NTCOSS supports Voice to Parliament

July 17, 2023

The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS), with full support of the NTCOSS Board, proudly supports constitutional recognition of...

NTCOSS CEO Dr Stephanie Kelly speaks to Adam Steer on ABC Radio Darwin about cost of living, inflation and our sector’s funding problems

July 10, 2023

Stephanie Kelly, NTCOSS’s CEO, spoke to Adam Steer about how tough it is for Territorians enduring cost of living increases and...

Media Release: NT Budget misses opportunity to help vulnerable amid high inflation

May 9, 2023

Media Release: NT Budget misses opportunity to help vulnerable amid high inflation This year’s Northern Territory Budget delivers some positives...

NTCOSS’s Jonathan Pilbrow talks about Cost of Living and the unaffordable housing environment in the NT.

May 2, 2023

“Yes, times are tough. One of the concerns in our report is that when you look at the average median...

NTCOSS CONFERENCE 2023

May 2, 2023

Don’t miss being a part of our two day Conference to lead discussions to instigate real community change. Held in...

Northern Territory government promises power bill subsidy worth $71 million

April 27, 2023

This week NTCOSS released the latest Cost of Living fact sheets on Utilities, Housing and Transport in the NT. Jonathan...

NTCOSS CONFERENCE 2023

April 4, 2023

Don’t miss being a part of our two day Conference to lead discussions to instigate real community change. Held in...

Family Planning Northern Territory to stop bulk billing from May as inflation sees costs soar for social services

April 4, 2023

ABC story by Lillian Rangiah NTCOSS Acting CEO and policy manager Sarah Holder spoke to ABC TV News about soaring...

NTCOSS supports Voice to Parliament

March 21, 2023

The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS), with full support of the NTCOSS Board, proudly supports constitutional recognition of...

Overhaul of energy concessions needed as three million households struggle to pay their energy bills

December 22, 2022

21 December 2022 Overhaul of energy concessions needed as three million households struggle to pay their energy bills A report...

NTCOSS CEO Deborah Di Natale on our latest Cost of Living report

December 20, 2022

Check out our latest Cost of Living report. ntcoss.org.au NTCOSS CEO Deborah Di Natale spoke to Adam Steer on ABC...

Cost of Living Report December update

December 19, 2022

New NTCOSS Cost of Living report shows Territorians struggling to make ends meet A new report shows the highest inflation...

Media Release: NTCOSS welcomes legislative changes to raise the age of criminal responsibility

November 24, 2022

We congratulate the Northern Territory Government for keeping its promise to raise the age of criminal responsibility to 12 and...

NTCOSS on the crisis in NT of women being killed

November 10, 2022

“It is all well and good to pay lip service to ending gender-based violence … but we need to put...

NTCOSS CEO Deborah Di Natale speaks on ABC Radio Darwin on Federal Budget Day

November 9, 2022

NTCOSS CEO Deborah Di Natale speaks on ABC Radio Darwin about the Albanese Labor Government’s first Federal Budget, what’s needed...

Katherine Women’s Legal Service, NTCOSS weigh in on national DV plan

November 9, 2022

An ambitious national plan to end gender based violence has been welcomed by Northern Territory advocates. But a remote legal...

Dedicated plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family safety ‘essential’ for Northern Territory

November 9, 2022

By Emma Ruben National Indigenous Times 20/10/22 The proposed plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander family safety could be...

Experts call on the government to close Don Dale 13/9/22

November 7, 2022

In the wake of possible Youth Justice Act breaches, experts cannot ‘reconcile’ the continued use of Don Dale and have...

NTCOSS welcomes new laws to Raise the Age 12/10/22

November 7, 2022

NTCOSS, along with our partners: @AMSANTaus, @NAAJA_NT, @APONT_AGMP and NT Legal Aid welcomes legislative changes to raise the age of criminal responsibility...

Media Release: Urgent action needed to stop shameful neglect of our children 14/9/22

November 3, 2022

For immediate release Wednesday 14th September 2022 Media Release: Urgent action needed to stop shameful neglect of our childrenWill it...

Better system for children can exist Sunday Territorian 18/9/22

November 2, 2022

By Deborah Di Natale – CEO – Northern Territory Council of Social Service – Sunday Territorian newspaper 18/9/22 Last week...

Pressure builds over Don Dale Detention Centre

November 1, 2022

Read more A community that treats its children like this, breaching the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child,...

Don Dale Detention Centre must be closed

November 1, 2022

NT Council of Social Service CEO Deborah Di Natale speaks about the inhumane conditions and treatment of children in the...

Dehumanising treatment and detention of NT kids must stop

November 1, 2022

Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT chief executive John Paterson speaks about the inhumane conditions and treatment of children in the...

Youth Voices Amplified Through New Project

June 2, 2022

More than $800,000 will be dedicated to amplifying the voices of young people, with the Northern Territory Council of Social...

Locking in New NT Ministers Provides Welcome Stability

May 23, 2022

The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) welcomes the appointment of the new NT Government Ministers announced earlier today....

New NTCOSS Report Reveals Staggering Cost of Living Pressures on Territorians

May 19, 2022

A new report shows Territorians are struggling under some of the most significant Consumer Price Index (CPI) rises in the...

“A plague of DFSV” – and the plans & promises to tackle it

May 17, 2022

The Liberal Democrats Party (LDP), Australian Labor Party (ALP) and Greens have all committed to tackling a crisis in Domestic...

Welcoming Chief Minister Natasha Fyles

May 13, 2022

The Northern Territory Council of Social Service welcomes the swearing in of new Chief Minister Natasha Fyles today. NTCOSS CEO...

NT Budget Fails NT Community Sector

May 10, 2022

A good budget is one that delivers for everyone, including the community’s most vulnerable, and while this budget delivers in...

“Ineffective and Discriminatory” – Urgent Calls to End Compulsory Income Management

April 21, 2022

NTCOSS welcomes the Australian Labor Party’s commitment to scrap Compulsory Income Management if elected at the upcoming federal election. NTCOSS...

New DFSV Funding a Win for NTCOSS Members – But Long-Term Solutions Needed

March 1, 2022

No one should have to experience or live with Domestic, Family or Sexual Violence. Territorians face the highest rates of...

THE USE OF SPIT HOODS AND RESTRAINT CHAIRS ON NT CHILDREN, A NATIONAL SHAME

February 26, 2022

Saturday 26 February 2022 Peak national justice, child welfare and advocacy groups have joined calls for the Northern Territory Government...

SHAMEFUL BACKFLIP ON SPIT HOODS AND RESTRAINTS

February 23, 2022

Wednesday 23 February 2022 Aboriginal leaders and community sector advocates are calling on the Northern Territory Government to stop playing...

MEDIA RELEASE: Raise the age NOW

November 17, 2021

The Northern Territory Government must act to keep children out of detention by immediately raising the age of criminal responsibility.“Today...

MEDIA RELEASE: WOMEN’S SAFETY SUMMIT MUST DELIVER

September 3, 2021

MEDIA RELEASE: THE TERRITORY’S HISTORIC ABORIGINAL JUSTICE AGREEMENT LAUNCHED (NT)

August 11, 2021

The Territory Labor Government and Aboriginal and community sector leaders have today signed a ground-breaking Agreement to deliver a safer...

MEDIA RELEASE: NTCOSS Cost of Living Report No. 30

July 13, 2021

Deep Digital Divide in the NT In its 30th Cost of Living Report released today, the Northern Territory Council of Social...

COSS Directors call for national action to raise the age of criminal responsibility

June 16, 2021

Today the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS), the ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS), New South Wales Council of...

MEDIA RELEASE: NTCOSS CONDEMNS GOVERNMENT YOUTH JUSTICE LEGISLATION

May 5, 2021

WEDNESDAY 5th MAY NTCOSS CONDEMNS GOVERNMENT YOUTH JUSTICE LEGISLATION The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) today condemned the...

MEDIA RELEASE: Launch of NTcommunity web directory

April 7, 2021

Launch of NTCOSS’ NTcommunity Web Directory The Territory Government in partnership with the Northern Territory Council of Social Services (NTCOSS)...

MEDIA RELEASE: Bad politics won’t deliver safer community

March 24, 2021

TUESDAY 23 March 2021 Bad politics won’t deliver safer community ...

MEDIA RELEASE: Mercure Hotel must accept responsibility for its role in Detention of the Darwin 15

February 23, 2021

MERCURE HOTEL MUST ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS ROLE IN DETENTION OF THE DARWIN 15 Today the Northern Territory Council of...

MEDIA RELEASE: Latest police violence video reinforces need for the AJA

December 15, 2020

TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER One more piece of damning evidence to support the need for the Aboriginal Justice Agreement. The video...

MEDIA RELEASE: Grants to strengthen youth advocacy across Australia

December 15, 2020

Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Minister for Youth and Sport 14 December...

MEDIA RELEASE: Community organisations slam decision to continue discriminatory and punitive Cashless Debit Card

December 10, 2020

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak organisations, legal services and human rights organisations have slammed the decision of the...

Northern Territory Council of Social Service response to the 2020/21 NT Budget

November 10, 2020

DO NOT FORGET THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT SECTOR Northern Territory Council of Social Service response to the 2020/21 NT Budget The...

NT Government greenlights Woolworths booze barn despite community concerns

November 10, 2020

For immediate release, Tuesday 10 November 2020 10 November 2020: Today the Northern Territory (NT) Government will introduce legislation that...

Cost of Living Report No. 29

October 1, 2020

Poverty reduced in the NT but only short lived In its 29th Cost of Living Report released today, the Northern Territory...

NTCOSS Value of the Not-for-profit Sector Launch

September 22, 2020

The Not-for-profit human services sector is an important element in sustaining and growing the Northern Territory economy. It contributes more...

Cuts to JobSeeker to cost the NT economy $348 million – Deloitte report

September 15, 2020

The Morrison Government’s planned cuts to the Coronavirus Supplement for people on JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and parenting payments would see...

The Territory Needs Equal Pay for the Community Sector

September 8, 2020

The work of the community services sector has never been more in demand, and more at risk. This Equal Pay...

Ticks, crosses and political promises after the 2020 NT Election Leaders Debate

July 29, 2020

Last night the Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) held its 2020 NT Election Leaders Debate challenging the ALP,...

Cost of Living Report No. 28

July 28, 2020

Regional and remote areas doing it toughest In its 28th Cost of Living Report released today, the Northern Territory Council of...

Peak NT Aboriginal orgs: Raise the Rate and create jobs to lift NT Aboriginal people out of poverty

July 14, 2020

RAISE THE RATE AND CREATE JOBS TO LIFT NT ABORIGINAL PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY The federal government must permanently and...

Cost of Living Update No. 27

March 26, 2020

In its 27th Cost of Living Report Update released this week, the Northern Territory Council of Social Service, (NTCOSS) shows...

Media Release: Relief As Federal Government Does The Right Thing By Students

March 24, 2020

Tuesday, 24 March 2020: The Northern Territory Council of Social Services (NTCOSS) is relieved that the Federal Government has listened...

Media Release: ‘Welcome Relief’ As Jobseeker Payments Doubled

March 22, 2020

Sunday 22 March, 2020: Today’s announcement of an increase of $550 per fortnight for six months for many groups receiving...

Media Release – Survey: Northern Territory community services at risk from funding uncertainty

February 27, 2020

Thursday 27 February, 2020: A new survey has shown that almost half (44%) of Northern Territory community services could...

Joint Statement to Abandon Federal Government’s Religious Discrimination Bill.

February 6, 2020

NT ORGANISATIONS STAND TOGETHER AGAINST FEDERAL RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION BILL Major health, social, legal organisations and unions from across the NT...

Cost of Living Report No.25

September 26, 2019

NTCOSS asks what will it take to get urgent action on food affordability? The 25th Cost of Living Report released...

NTCOSS Cost Of Living Report No. 24

July 18, 2019

The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) released its 24th Cost of Living Report today, shining a spotlight on soaring prices...

NT BUDGET RESPONSE

May 7, 2019

NT BUDGET RESPONSE We welcome the release of the NT Budget today that continues the commitment to key reform areas...

MEDIA RELEASE: Response to Government plan to force cashless debit card across the Northern Territory

March 25, 2019

National Congress, APO NT, ACOSS, NTCOSS and Human Rights Law Centre respond to Government plan to force cashless debit card...

COST OF LIVING REPORT No. 23

March 19, 2019

Costs too high for NT’s Poorest The 23rd Cost of Living Report released today by the Northern Territory Council of Social Service...

NTCOSS report calls on NT Government to index the Motor Vehicle Registration Concession to assist with cost of living pressures

December 19, 2018

The 22nd Cost of Living Report released today by the Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) focuses on sky-rocketing petrol prices and...

NT income boosted by $58m per year if Newstart and Youth Allowance rates are raised, plus much needed cost of living relief to low-income Territorians

September 20, 2018

The 21st NTCOSS Cost of Living Report released today, coincides with the release earlier this week of a report by...

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