Community service work covered by the scheme
Information about the types of community service work covered by the Community Services Industry (CSI) portable long service leave scheme.
On this page
What is a community service
Descriptions of community services
What is not a community service
Work on Commonwealth places
Related information
What is a community service
Community service has specific meaning in the Community Services Sector (Portable Long Service Leave) Act 2024. Schedule 1 of the Act outlines 31 types of community services.
The CSI scheme captures employers and workers who provide these types of community services.
It’s important to understand whether your work as an employer or worker is captured by any of the 31 types of community service, as this will determine if you need to register in the scheme.
The CSI scheme is mandatory for eligible employers and workers. To find out more, see Employer obligations and Assess employer eligibility.
Self-managed participants in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are included in the scheme.
Descriptions of community services
| Type of community service included in the scheme | Description |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community services | Services that support and promote the cultural, health, economic, education, and social needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people. |
| Accommodation support services | Services that provide residential and housing support to individuals at risk, to access and maintain safe, stable and supportive living arrangements. |
| Alcohol and other drug services | Programs focused on prevention, treatment, education, information and recovery for individuals dealing with substance use, peer worker support and support for affected families and communities. |
| Child safety and support services | Organisations dedicated to protecting children from harm, abuse, neglect or exploitation, and providing support to families and guardians. Includes child protection and advocacy services, and family intervention, not early childhood care and education. |
| Community advocacy services, including education and other services provided by peak bodies | Includes i) sector peak organisations; ii) individual advocacy organisations that provide support in navigating, accessing or appealing systems and supports; iii) systemic advocacy organisations that advocate for communities and a range of cohorts through research, campaigns and awareness raising activities. |
| Community care services | In-home or local support and assistance programs designed to help individuals and families in need. It does not include residential aged care facilities or assisted living facilities. Includes personal care, meal delivery, and other forms of assistance to maintain quality of life within the community in a private residence, regardless of the age of the client. |
| Community development services | Programs that empower and strengthen communities by fostering social connections, enhancing local resources, and building organisational capacity. |
| Community legal services | Provides community education, information, advocacy and free or low-cost legal assistance to individuals who might not otherwise have access or be able to afford legal help. |
| Community mental health support services | Provides free or low-cost care and support for individuals and families experiencing mental health issues. Includes a variety of health professional roles and peer support workers. |
| Community recreation services | Facilities and programs designed to provide recreational, social, and multi-purpose activities for local communities focused on social welfare. |
| Community transport services | Services assisting individuals who have limited access to public transport, focused on seniors, pensioners, people with disabilities, and those with specific mobility needs. |
| Community welfare services | Support programs and services to improve the wellbeing of individuals and communities by supporting social and economic needs. |
| Disability supports and services | Services and supports for individuals with disabilities, daily living assistance, employment support, independent living programs and NDIS supports services. |
| Employment services | Programs assisting individuals to secure employment, including job training and resume design. Supports employers in hiring and managing their workforce, targeting at-need groups. |
| Family and domestic violence services | Provides support to individuals experiencing or affected by domestic and family violence. Includes emergency housing, counselling, legal assistance, referral, prevention and early intervention programs. |
| Family support services | Assists families by providing a range of resources and programs to promote family stability. Includes parental support, family counselling, housing, financial assistance, early intervention and mental health services. |
| Financial counselling services | Provides free, confidential, and independent support to individuals facing financial challenges. |
| Foster care services | Provides temporary care for children and young people who cannot live with their own families. Includes placement services, support for foster families, and case management. |
| Homelessness support services | Assistance to individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Includes shelters, transitional housing, tenancy support and advice, and programs to secure stable accommodation. |
| Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex services | Organisations supporting the LGBTI community, providing resources like health services, advocacy, counselling, peer worker support and social support networks. |
| Migrant and multicultural support services | Assists individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds in settling, integrating, and thriving in the community. Includes settlement services and support with language, education, employment, health and wellbeing, referral, and community and cultural services. |
| Neighbourhood and local community services | Services and facilities enhancing the wellbeing and cohesion of local communities, such as community and neighbourhood centres with services focused on community development, and welfare, social and economic support and referral. |
| Out-of-home care services | Provides placement and case management services for children, including residential care, kinship care and foster care. |
| Respite care services | Provides temporary relief for primary caregivers by offering short-term care for individuals who need assistance. Includes in-home or community respite care, not residential aged care or hospital respite care. |
| Settlement and refugee services | Supports refugees and recent immigrants with housing, legal services and cultural orientation. |
| Sexual assault services | Supports individuals who have experienced sexual assault. Includes counselling, medical services, support for non-offending family members and carers, advocacy and court support, and community education and prevention. |
| Social housing services | Provides secure and affordable rental housing for people on low incomes who have housing needs. Includes public, community and Indigenous housing. |
| Social work | Promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment of people. |
| Women’s health support services | Programs and resources addressing the unique health needs of women and girls. Includes reproductive and sexual health, chronic disease management, mental health, screening programs, and support for victims of violence. |
| Youth justice services | Supports young people who have come into contact, or are at risk of coming into contact, with the justice system. |
| Youth support services | Programs and services designed to assist young people. Includes mental health, counselling, education, employment, and social activities aimed at personal and social development of disadvantaged or at-risk youth. |
The descriptions provide examples of the types of work and services included in each community service category; they are not a complete list of all types of activities that may be included in the scheme.
What is not a community service
The Act does not define what is not a community service.
Two sectors that may commonly be considered a community service, specifically residential aged care and early childhood care and education, are not included in the CSI scheme.
These sectors may be included in the scheme at a future date.
Work conducted on Commonwealth places
As Commonwealth places fall under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth Government, work conducted on Commonwealth places cannot be credited under the CSI scheme administered by the Long Service Corporation. We are working with the Commonwealth Government to resolve this.
Find more information on Commonwealth places.
If you have any concerns, please call our helpline on 13 14 41.
To call us using an interpreter, please call the National Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50 and ask them to call us on 13 14 41.
Related information
About the scheme
Who is covered by the scheme
Employer obligations
Assess employer eligibility
