The Budget delivers further targeted support to help Canberrans with the cost of living.
10 June 2026
In brief:
- Funding in this year's Budget will support a number of initiatives to help with community safety.
- Funding will support frontline services, including crisis response and youth programs.
- The Budget includes funding for homelessness, LGBTQIA+ and health services.
- The Budget will deliver targeted cost of living support.
The ACT Budget will fund a number of initiatives to ensure that all Canberrans feel safe and supported in their community.
Investing in community services
The ACT Government is securing a strong and responsive community sector through the 2026-27 ACT Budget.
Funding will support areas of critical need and frontline services across Canberra.
There is new and ongoing funding to help organisations plan, grow and keep staff.
Extra support for community legal services will help them meet rising demand.
The Budget also includes funding for homelessness, LGBTQIA+ and health services.
More details on community sector funding can be found in the Our Canberra article.
Targeted cost of living relief
The Budget delivers further targeted support to help Canberrans with the cost of living.
This includes more funding for frontline food relief services. This will support increased demand and ensure help is available for those in need.
A new Housing Crisis Support Fund will assist eligible low-income households facing rental stress.
The Fund provides support for short-term rental costs, helping people stay in safe, stable housing. A Crisis Support Payment can also help with essential expenses.
Budget funding will also strengthen the Emergency Material and Financial Aid (EMFA) scheme.
The Education Equity Fund will also be expanded to help more eligible students with school-related costs.
For more information, read the Our Canberra article.
Support for people impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence
Funding in the 2026–27 ACT Budget boosts support for domestic, family and sexual violence services.
The investment will expand frontline services, including crisis response and youth programs.
It also provides ongoing funding and greater certainty for those working in the sector.
For an overview of how the funding will be allocated, read the Our Canberra article.
Delivering for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Canberrans
The 2026-27 Budget delivers a range of initiatives in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
The package includes support for healthcare, education, housing, cultural projects, and governance.
Key measures include:
- a culturally informed perinatal mental health ‘Safe Space’ service
- funding to boost the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce
- support for Yerrabi Yurwang’s Housing Australia Future Fund application for a 29-dwelling townhouse development in Moncrieff
- a Truth Telling (Seed of Truth) Project to advance the Government’s commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart
- strengthening justice system reforms and funding for two independent justice advisors (youth and adult) to support the Jumbunna review response.
For more information on the 2026-2027 ACT Budget, visit the Treasury website.
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