Annual Report
2024-2025
CatholicCare Sydney
Annual Report 2024-25
Annual Report
2024-2025
Message from Archbishop
Most Rev. Anthony Fisher OP
The core business of CatholicCare Sydney is summarised in the words of Jesus found in Matthew’s Gospel: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). In living out these words, we become true disciples of Christ’s love—a love that is merciful and compassionate, a love that actively seeks out those in need.
Through your service to marriages and families, to the most vulnerable—including the unborn and their mothers, the elderly and infirm, those with disabilities and illness, and those in need of protection, counselling and comfort who endure all manner of difficulties—you proclaim the human dignity of each person and recognise them as sons and daughters of God. In and through your many initiatives, your gift-giving and volunteering, and in all these acts of divine love, you extend Christ’s mercy to the young and the old alike. Your work is evangelisation, and through your discipleship, you draw others to the love of God.
I extend my sincere gratitude to the board and management, employees, volunteers and generous benefactors of CatholicCare Sydney for their commitment to care for those in need, extending the love of Christ to them in their most difficult moments.
Message from the Board Chair and CEO
John Leotta (Chair) and Kate Dover (Acting CEO)
It is both an honour and a privilege to lead CatholicCare Sydney as we continue to deliver social services that promote dignity, strengthen families, and connect communities across the Archdiocese of Sydney and beyond.
Our Vision of a thriving, inclusive society—where everyone finds support, purpose, and belonging—has never been more important. Each day, we live out our Mission to support those on the margins of society. Increasingly, however, what it means to be “on the margins” is shifting, and now encompasses more people experiencing increasingly complex circumstances.
For every individual who comes to CatholicCare, our message is clear: we are here for you, and you are safe with us.
In the past year, many of those we serve have faced rising financial pressures, housing stress, and the continuing effects of earlier interest rate increases. These challenges have led to greater demand for emergency relief, financial counselling, mental health support, family services, and longer-term casework. In turn, this has placed additional strain on our frontline staff and budgets. We are deeply grateful for the dedication and resilience of our teams, who have risen to these challenges with compassion, skill, and unwavering commitment.
In the last financial year, we delivered more than XXX occasions of service across XX programs, ensuring individuals and families received the care, support, and guidance they needed.
We also marked significant milestones that speak to the impact and longevity of our work:
- 30 years delivering Parent Line across New South Wales,
- 30 years providing school counselling services throughout the Sydney Archdiocese, and
- 10 years delivering the national Carer Gateway.
These achievements remind us of the sustained contribution CatholicCare has made, and continues to make, to the wellbeing of our communities.
This year also brought with it the historic election of Pope Leo XIV, a moment of joy and renewal for the universal Church, and a reminder of the hope that faith continues to inspire.
We acknowledge, however, that our sector faces ongoing pressures. Government and philanthropic funding has not kept pace with rising costs, even as demand grows. Workforce shortages, burnout, and turnover continue to reduce capacity across health and social services. Despite these challenges, CatholicCare Sydney’s employee turnover remains well below the industry average—a testament to the strength of our culture, the dedication of our people, and the shared belief in our Mission.
As we look to the year ahead, we remain committed to walking alongside those in need, adapting our services to changing circumstances, and advocating for a more just and compassionate society. Together with our staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters, we will continue to bring hope, healing, and dignity to those we serve.
FY25 Highlights
client satisfaction for Disability Services
clients supported with Home Care Services
Chaplaincy Services delivered across 3 prisons & 5 hospitals
clients supported with Allied Health Services
Children & Family Services clients supported
students and parents received the Growing Towards Wholeness program
students supported through our School Wellbeing Services
schools received our Clinical services and support
This year marks a significant milestone for Parent Line NSW, as it proudly celebrates 30 years of dedicated service to families across New South Wales. Since its inception in 1994, Parent Line has been a vital resource for parents and caregivers, providing support, guidance, and a listening ear during times of need.
Parent Line Celebrates 30 Years of Supporting Families
Reflecting on how parenting has changed over three decades, Practice Manager Vanessa Harnischmacher recalls that in 1994, parenting was viewed quite differently. She notes, “the act of parenting back then was not seen as a verb,” and awareness around the complexities and challenges of raising children was not as normalised as it is today. Over the years, the service has evolved to meet the changing needs of families, supporting over 135,000 families and handling more than 250,000 calls.
While concerns have shifted and new issues have emerged, the dedicated team at Parent Line has consistently adapted their approach to meet individual needs. In today’s challenging environment, parenting has become more complex than ever. Parent Line’s counsellors—experienced and highly trained—continue to provide support, addressing the evolving trends and concerns faced by families today.
To mark this milestone, CatholicCare Sydney and the Parent Line team hosted a special event. The celebration was attended by distinguished guests, including NSW Minister for Families and Communities and Minister for Disability Inclusion, the Hon. Kate Washington, MP and NSW Children’s Guardian, Steve Kinmond, OAM. Representatives from NSW Health, the Department of Communities and Justice, and other social service agencies also joined the proceedings with my counsellors who have worked with Parent Line over the last 30 years.
The event opened with a Welcome to Country by Brendan Kerin, a proud Marrawarra and Barkindji man. Brendan reflected on the importance of supporting parents and carers, especially those who may have faced difficult upbringing or lack proper guidance themselves. Children’s Guardian Steve Kinmond shared personal insights from his childhood journey, emphasizing the importance of breaking the cycle of trauma and abuse through early support for parents and carers.
The Hon. Kate Washington, MP praised Parent Line’s 30-year legacy, highlighting its strong leadership and ongoing commitment to evolving with the needs of families. “This milestone underscores our counsellors’ dedication to ensuring parents feel supported, no matter how complex their concerns,” she said.
As Parent Line celebrates three decades of service, the team remains committed to empowering families across NSW, helping them build resilience and fostering healthier, stronger communities. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported this journey—from current and former counsellors to all the families they have reached over the years.
CatholicCare Sydney has long been committed to creating empowering environments that support individuals in their journey toward independence and well-being. This dedication was recently highlighted through a partnership with Seven Consulting’s Project 7, a program focused on community service and transformation.
CatholicCare Sydney Celebrates Community Support with Seven Consulting’s Help
CatholicCare Sydney is proud to be a designated Charity Partner for 2025 through Seven Consulting’s Project 7. With their support, we completed significant renovations at our Belmore site, enhancing our mission to provide welcoming, functional spaces for both participants and staff, and reinforcing our commitment to empowering individuals on their journey to independence and well-being.
As a key part of CatholicCare Sydney’s Disability Services. The site is essential for helping participants develop skills, gain work experience, and build confidence. Over a dedicated weekend, a team of Seven Consulting and CatholicCare employees rolled up their sleeves to improve the space’s look and feel, improve the overall workflow and create a working garden where vegetables and herbs were planted for the Disability Services participants to use in future cooking classes. The upgraded environment now a vibrant, empowering setting where participants, clients and staff can thrive and reach their potential.
This transformation not only boosts morale among staff and clients but also strengthens CatholicCare Sydney’s ability to deliver impactful support to participants and families. The renovated warehouse has created a more accessible and welcoming space, enabling disability participants to engage in meaningful work, build new skills, and grow with confidence. For staff, the improved layout has boosted collaboration, efficiency, and connection with participants. Overall, the upgrade has transformed the site into a vibrant, inclusive environment that fosters growth, teamwork, and community – and may open doors to future corporate partnerships.
CatholicCare Sydney is grateful for the ongoing support from community partners like Seven Consulting, whose efforts help strengthen our ability to serve, support, and empower families across NSW. Together, we are building a more inclusive and supportive community where everyone can flourish.
CatholicCare Sydney’s innovative social enterprise, BariStars, is transforming lives through the power of coffee. Launched to provide meaningful employment and skill development for people living with disabilities, BariStars is more than just a coffee cart; it is a pathway to independence, confidence, and community inclusion and in the last twelve months we have served over 16,500 coffees in 1,355 reuseable cups!
BariStars: Brewing Opportunities and Building Futures for People with Disability
Designed by CatholicCare Sydney, BariStars offers participants hands-on experience in hospitality, including making a variety of coffee drinks, customer service, and understanding small business operations. This practical training equips individuals with transferable skills that open doors to future employment opportunities, particularly within NDIS support services.
One of the shining stars of the program is Tom, a freshly trained BariStars barista. Reflecting on his experience, Tom shares, “I liked learning how to make all the different coffees; flat white, latte, cappuccino. The thing I like most about being a barista is frothing milk. I enjoy hearing the hissing noise as the milk froths.” His words exemplify the confidence-building and skill acquisition at the heart of the program.
The launch of a coffee van at St Mary’s Cathedral was a celebration of achievement and community support, attended by high-profile guests including the Archbishop of Sydney, Most Rev. Anthony Fisher OP, who provided a heartfelt blessing. NSW Premier the Hon. Chris Minns and parliamentary representatives the Hon. Kate Washington MP and the Hon. Sophie Cotsis MP also joined the festivities, engaging with the team behind BariStars and learning more about CatholicCare’s Supported Employment program. The Premier even picked up his own CatholicCare Sydney Frank Green cup, a small token of support for the initiative.
BariStars’ visibility extends beyond the launch with coverage across print, radio and TV. The program has received recognition on 7NEWS Brightside, Hope FM and Catholic Weekly, celebrating its mission of empowering people with disabilities through skills training and real-world experience. The coffee van operates on weekdays at St. Mary’s Cathedral, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., inviting the community to enjoy a quality coffee while supporting a cause that helps individuals thrive.
BariStars exemplifies commitment to community, inclusion, and opportunity. Every cup served not only energizes the day but also helps build confidence, skills, and pathways to meaningful employment for people living with disability, truly brewing a brighter future for all.
For three decades, CatholicCare Sydney has been dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of students across Sydney Catholic Schools — a journey made possible through strong, enduring partnerships with school communities. From the beginning, our work has been guided by the insight and collaboration of principals, teachers, and school leaders who share our vision of supporting the whole student — academically, socially, and emotionally.
Celebrating 30+ Years of School Wellbeing Partnerships
These partnerships have been central to our success, allowing us to evolve alongside the changing needs of students and the shifting education landscape. Together, we have built innovative, integrated support models and nurtured a culture of care that extends far beyond the classroom. As we celebrate this 30-year milestone, we thank our school partners for their trust and shared commitment to the belief that wellbeing is at the heart of every student’s potential and lifelong success.
Our story began in 1993, when Centacare (as CatholicCare was then known) joined Sydney Archdiocesan schools to pilot the Student At Risk (STAR) Project. The program — a joint initiative of the Department of Education and Training and the Catholic Education Office — sought to identify and support at-risk students in Catholic secondary schools. What began with one counsellor soon became a team of six supporting 20 schools.
By 1997, Centacare signed its first formal agreement with the Catholic Education Office to deliver school-based counselling services. The success of the STAR Pilot led to expanded services across Sydney’s Eastern, Inner West, and Southern regions, reaching both primary and secondary schools. Independent evaluations confirmed the program’s effectiveness, recommending long-term funding and establishing a foundation for growth.
From these beginnings, three cornerstone services emerged:
- School Counselling, offering individual, group, and family support to address barriers to learning.
- The STAR Program, providing intensive interventions for students experiencing behavioural or social-emotional difficulties.
- Critical Incident Response, delivering coordinated, trauma-informed care following significant events affecting school communities.
Today, these services have evolved into CatholicCare Sydney’s School Wellbeing Services, a comprehensive program spanning 135 schools and supported by more than 150 clinicians. Our team continues to adapt to emerging wellbeing challenges — from legislative reforms to public health crises — ensuring every student has access to compassionate, evidence-based support.
Over the years, we have introduced initiatives such as Thriving Leaders, to support principals and leadership teams, and Remote Clinical Supervision, to ensure counsellors in isolated settings remain connected and supported. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our teams rapidly transitioned to online counselling, ensuring continuity of care and stability for students and families in a time of great uncertainty.
As we reflect on 30 years of partnership, growth, and innovation, we remain guided by the same belief that inspired our beginnings: that every child is made in the image of God — deserving to be seen, heard, and supported within the heart of their school community.
DID YOU KNOW?
We have over 700 employees who speak 31 different languages and come from 46 different cultural backgrounds
In 2025 we delivered >363,600 occasions of services across our programs
Our Children and Family Services programs received a 95% client satisfaction score
At CatholicCare Sydney, child safety is central to our purpose and practice. We believe every child has the right to feel safe, be respected, and have their voice heard. Guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the National Child Safe Standards, we are committed to creating environments where children are protected from harm and empowered to participate in decisions that affect them.
What does Child Safety mean at CatholicCare Sydney?
Over the past year, we have undertaken significant work to strengthen our approach to child protection and child safety. A key milestone has been the development and update of our Child Protection and Child Safe Policy, ensuring it reflects legislative requirements, national standards, and the evolving expectations and best practices of our sector. The updated policy clearly defines responsibilities across all levels of the organisation and embeds trauma-informed, child and family centred, rights-based approaches to identifying, reporting, and responding to concerns of children’s protection, safety and wellbeing.
This policy development and review demonstrate our commitment to continuous improvement. We have strengthened governance oversight of child safety, integrated safeguarding considerations into operations and practice quality review processes and established mechanisms to listen to and act on children’s feedback. This ensures that our systems do not simply comply with standards but embody them, creating a culture where child protection and safety is lived, not just documented.
Child protection and safety is everyone’s responsibility. At CatholicCare Sydney, we recognise that maintaining trust with children, families, and communities requires ongoing vigilance, reflection, and adaptation. We are embedding accountability at every level, from the Board to frontline practice, supported by data monitoring, regular reporting, training and development.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to uphold the rights and safety of every child we work with, ensuring that CatholicCare Sydney continues to be a place where children are safe, respected, and empowered to thrive.
Our commitment to Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Principles
At CatholicCare Sydney, our dedication to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles reflects our mission to serve vulnerable people and advance the common good. Inspired by Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’, we recognise the interconnection between care for creation and our shared responsibility with the communities we serve.
Laudato Si’ calls us to consider our relationship with the environment alongside the socio-economic challenges impacting human dignity. Guided by this perspective, at CatholicCare Sydney, we are aiming to foster not only environmental wellbeing but also social equity and ethical governance practices. We believe that today’s actions will contribute to a more just and sustainable future for the generations to come.
In this annual report, we share our ESG initiatives, progress, and the challenges we face. Our commitment to transparency, accountability, and open dialogue aligns with the principles of stewardship and solidarity presented in Laudato Si’. Together, we are working to cultivate a culture of care that respects the dignity of all creation and supports our shared responsibility to protect our environment and uplift our communities.
ESG Risks
CatholicCare Sydney recognises the considerable threat of climate change on our clients, staff and organisation. Extreme weather events pose challenges to clients accessing services, as well as to staff being able to provide those services. Our business continuity plan addresses how CatholicCare Sydney will respond in the event of power or communication outages, or other business impacting events caused by these extreme weather events.
CatholicCare Sydney also recognises that the vulnerability of clients is exacerbated during climate related crisis’, including an increase in domestic violence, exacerbation of health issues or an inability to access services due to poverty, access to transport or isolation. As a social services organisation committed to delivering a high standard of care to our clients, we are committed to continuing to meet the needs of the community throughout the challenges our clients will face as we confront a changing climate.
CatholicCare Sydney also recognises the changing regulatory landscape in Australia which requires greater transparency in how government funded organisations are managing their climate and social risks. Future tenders and contracts are likely to require organisations to demonstrate how they are managing these risks. CatholicCare Sydney recognises that, to be competitive in this market, we must demonstrate a commitment to social and environmental issues.
ESG Governance and Strategy
The ESG Committee meets monthly to discuss key Environmental, Social, and Governance issues, reviewing the associated risks and opportunities. Membership to the committee was reviewed in 2025 as part of the Committee Governance management review. Membership now extends to all the business functions, including Finance, Risk and Assurance, People and Culture, Facilities, Stakeholder Engagement and Practice, Impact, Partnerships and Innovation. The Committee has a Chairperson and is sponsored by a member of the Executive.
In April 2025, the ESG Chairperson presented to the Board on the ESG Strategy, which was subsequently endorsed. The ESG strategy includes 5 environmental strategies, 3 social strategies and 2 governance strategies to be implemented by the ESG Committee, which will be reviewed annually. Progress will be reported to the ELT every 6 months, and to the Board annually.
ESG Achievements
Environmental Initiatives:
- Dedicated site sustainability teams monitors and overseas the implementation of sustainability initiatives across all CatholicCare sites.
- Washable plates were implemented across all sites for meetings and events, reducing waste across the organisation.
- New recycling bins were trialled at Lewisham office.
- Multi-use coffee cups were launched, increasing usage from 3% to 30% of drinks sold at Baristars Lewisham.
- CatholicCare’s Carbon footprint was measured for the second year in a row, demonstrating a true reduction of 4.8% in emissions.
Social Initiatives:
- ESG initiatives were promoted across the agency.
- Modern Slavery Policy was launched on UN International Day Against Trafficking of Persons.
- Contacted 700+ suppliers regarding Modern Slavery compliance.
Governance Initiatives:
- 100% of staff completed Cyber Security Awareness Training.
- Strengthened Conflict of Interest Policy and Conflict of Interest Declaration Form
Our commitment to ESG reinforced CatholicCare Sydney’s goal to foster a future that values all people, operating with integrity, and promoting sustainable growth.
Financials
| CURRENT ASSETS | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash on hand | $6,865,198 | $2,799,227 |
| Fixed-term deposits at amortised cost | $9,800,000 | $13,000,000 |
| Trade and other receivables | $6,514,834 | $6,379,497 |
| Prepayments | $702,289 | $306,695 |
| Total current assets | $23,882,321 | $22,485,419 |
| NON-CURRENT ASSETS | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Property, plant and equipment | $4,871,837 | $5,307,306 |
| Right-of-use assets | $2,059,440 | $2,281,822 |
| Equity accounted investees | $4,374,325 | $4,393,812 |
| Other receivables | $8,100,000 | $11,465,000 |
| Total non-current assets | $19,405,602 | $23,447,940 |
| Total assets | $43,287,923 | $45,933,359 |
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Trade and other payables | $3,134,712 | $2,048,924 |
| Contract liabilities and other revenue received in advance | $1,187,498 | $1,800,928 |
| Lease liabilities | $1,143,555 | $892,871 |
| Employee benefits | $5,170,855 | $4,704,480 |
| Provisions | $3,078,914 | $2,704,292 |
| Total current liabilities | $13,715,534 | $12,151,495 |
| NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Lease liabilities | $1,056,341 | $1,365,912 |
| Employee benefits | $1,582,103 | $1,452,135 |
| Provisions | $8,352,693 | $11,776,205 |
| Total non-current liabilities | $10,991,137 | $14,594,252 |
| Total liabilities | $24,706,671 | $26,745,747 |
| Net assets | $18,581,252 | $19,187,612 |
| EQUITY | 2025 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Accumulated Funds | $18,581,252 | $19,187,612 |
| Total equity | $18,581,252 | $19,187,612 |
Thank you
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible supporters whose generosity and commitment make our work possible.
CHARITABLE FOUNDATIONS
Anawim Society
Betty Wade Charitable Trust
Challenge Sydenham-Bankstown Ltd
Charitable Works Fund
Chinese Catholic Community Homes Limited
Equity Trustees Limited
CORPORATE
Commonwealth Bank
Harris Farm Markets
Laing+Simmons Double Bay
Seven Consulting
PARTNERS
Anglicare
St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney
Sydney University
GOVERNMENT
The Hon. Mr. Christopher Minns MP, Premier of NSW
The Hon. Ms. Allegra Spender MP
The Hon. Ms. Dai Le MP
The Hon. Ms. Sophie Cotsis MP
The Hon. Kate Washington MP
Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
Australian Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources
Australian Government Department of Social Services
Multicultural NSW
NSW Department of Communities and Justice
NSW Health
INDIVIDUALS & FAMILY FOUNDATIONS
Mr Anthony Wales
Mr Charles Curran
Mr Edwin Earnest
Mr Hamish Flett
Mr John Kearsley
Mr Paul Beswick
Mr Richard Haddock
Mrs Catherine Harris
Mrs Judith Beswick
Mrs Mary Reemst
Ms D’Leanne Lewis
Ms Sandra Harris
Phillips Family Foundation
SCHOOLS
Loretto Normanhurst
Santa Sabina Strathfield
St John Bosco College
COMMUNITY CLUBS
Bankstown Sports Club
Club Ashfield
Club Marconi
Dooleys Lidcombe Catholic Club
Liverpool Catholic Club
PRO AND LOW BONO SUPPORTERS
Australian Catholic University
Catholic Cemeteries and Crematoria
Catholic Employment Relations
Catholic Healthcare
Dandelion Support Network
Givit
Helen Gazal
Mummies Paying It Forward
The Reconnect Project
Deloitte Partners
Alongside the generous funders listed and our supporters who wish to remain anonymous, CatholicCare Sydney’s employees provided invaluable contributions to our work through their individual fundraising efforts to support our work.
Service Directory
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible supporters whose generosity and commitment make our work possible.
BANKSTOWN FAMILY RELATIONSHIP CENTRE
8 Jacobs St, Bankstown 2200
- Family Dispute Resolution
- Family Law Counselling
- Relationship and Family Counselling
- Owl Kids
CABRAMATTA WEST
625 Cabramatta Rd, Cabramatta West 2166
- Integritas Allied Health
- NDIS Support Coordination
FAIRFIELD
Suite 6, Level 2, 54 Smart St, Fairfield 2165
- Family Support
- Intensive Family Preservation
- GambleAware
- HOPE Program
- Men and Family Relationships
- Supporting Recovery
LAKEMBA
9 Garrong Rd, Lakemba 2195
- Family Support
- Intensive Family Preservation
- Child and Adolescent Sexual Assault Counselling
LAKEMBA
(DISABILITY SERVICES)
1/112 Benaroon Rd,
Lakemba 2195
- Supported Employment
- Life Skills Education and Workplace Training
- Social Connection programs
- NDIS Support Coordination
- School Leaver Employment Supports
LEWISHAM
2C West St, Lewisham 2049
- CEO’s Office
- Finance
- People & Culture
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Mission & Strategy
- Child and Family Services Management
- School Counselling Management
- School Community Services Management
- Client Care Team
- Carer Gateway Counselling and Community Forum
- Family Recovery
- GambleAware
- Financial Counselling
- Parent Line NSW
- HOPE Program
- Child & Adolescent Sexual Assault Counselling
- Marriage and Relationship Education
- Natural Fertility Services
- CatholicCare Companions
- Family Dispute Resolution
- Family Law Counselling
- Relationship and Family Counselling
- Parenting and Child Development
- Owl Kids
LIVERPOOL
Level 3, 203-209 Northumberland St, Liverpool 2170
- Clinical Therapies
- Home Care
- Family Dispute Resolution
- Relationship and Family Counselling
- Supporting Recovery
LIVERPOOL
(DISABILITY SERVICES)
31 Bigge St, Liverpool NSW 2170
- Supported Employment
- Life Skills Education and Workplace Training
- Social Connection programs
NDIS Support Coordination - School Leaver Employment Supports
SYDNEY
Suite 10, Level 14 , 329 Pitt St, Sydney 2000
- Wellbeing and Family Relationship Service
- Family Dispute Resolution
SUTHERLAND
Shops 10 & 11, 838 Old Princes Hwy, Sutherland 2232
- GambleAware
- Family Dispute Resolution