YWCA Australia often writes submissions and letters to Australian governments and others about changes to laws and government policies and programs.

As well as producing our own submissions, YWCA also endorses submissions prepared by networks we belong to that put our case to government.

We also support projects that take the issues of women and girls in Australia to the United Nations (UN).

Our latest submissions and policy work

Read some of our submissions and letters and find out about some of our UN work:

Federal budget submission 2012-2013

In January 2012, YWCA Australia made a submission to the federal government providing input to the next federal Budget in May 2012.

YWCA Australia made a series of policy recommendations directed toward securing the basic needs and human rights of women, their families and communities, contributing to social inclusion and workforce participation. We recommended funding be directed to providing equal pay for the community sector, affordable rental housing, mentoring, disability services, women’s leadership programs, young women’s self esteem programs, and supporting the establishment of the new Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC).

» Read our submission


ACNC and NFP reform consultation papers

In January 2012, YWCA Australia provided a consolidated response to three papers relating to the Australian Government not for profit (NFP) sector reform process. The papers were the Review of not-for-profit governance arrangements consultation paper, the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC) Implementation design consultation paper and the ACNC Exposure Legislation. 

» Read our submission


Submission on the A Definition of Charity consultation paper

In December 2011, YWCA Australia made a submission to the Australian Government Treasury in response to the October 2011 A Definition of Charity consultation paper. 

» Read our submission


Submission on the Better Targeting of not for profit tax concessions

In July 2011, YWCA Australia made a submission to the Australian Government Treasury in response to the May 2011 Better Targeting of not for profit tax concessions consultation paper. 

» Read our submission


Submission to Roundtable on Ending Gender-Based Violence in the Asia Pacific Region

Rates of violence against women in our region are among the highest in the world and young women are most at risk.

In February 2011, YWCA Australia and the YWCA of the Solomon Islands made a submission to the Australian Parliamentary Group on Population and Development’s Roundtable on Ending Gender-Based Violence in the Asia Pacific Region.

The submission was based on opinions and issues facing young women in our region and incorporates the combined voices of young women from the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, Australia and New Zealand talking about the daily realities of gender-based violence in their communities.

» Read the submission

Submission to Independent Review of Aid Effectiveness

The Australian Government is reviewing the AusAID program, the Australian Government's overseas aid program.

In February 2011, we provided input to the review.  

We are particularly concerned at how the AusAID program can be improved to provide a greater focus on gender issues and supporting women (and young women in particular), recognising that developing women’s social, economic, political and social status positively affects the outcomes of general development projects. We are also interested in how the AusAID program can be used to develop women as leaders within their countries, particularly across the Pacific.

» Read our submission

Submission on the New National Human Rights Action Plan

The Australian Government is developing a new National Human Rights Action Plan (Plan) to improve the promotion and protection of human rights in Australia.  

In February 2011, we commented on the proposed approach and process to develop the Plan and to provide our initial views on potential actions for inclusion in the Plan.

» Read our submission

ACOSS submission on the establishment of a national regulator for not-for-profit organisations

The Australian Government is reforming the way not for profit organisations are regulated. 

In February 2011, we endorsed a submission by the Australian Council of Social service (ACOSS) - of which we are a member - to the Australian Government about the establishment of a national regulator for not-for-profit organisations.

» Read the ACOSS submission

Australian Services Union (ASU) equal pay case

In November 2010, we wrote to Prime Minister Gillard urging the Australian Government to honour its commitment to pay equity in Australia by funding any pay increases arising from the ASU equal pay case.

We also wrote to a number of other relevant politicians, including those who had signed a pre-election pledge to support the ASU case. 

» Read our letter to the Prime Minister

Other submissions and policy work

Health and wellbeing 

» Find out about our health and wellbeing submissions

Women's human rights and anti-discrimination

» Find out about our human rights and anti-discrimination submissions

Economic wellbeing

» Find out about our submissions on economic wellbeing

Violence against women and girls

» Find out about our submissions on violence against women and girls

Housing

» Find out about our submissions on housing

Other policy submissions

» Find out about other submissions