UnitingCare Australia and Uniting Vic.Tas welcomed the opportunity to make this joint submission to the Inquiry into the Health Impacts of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Use in Australia, undertaken by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Disability.

The UnitingCare network supports productivity with purpose, understanding that productivity is not an end in itself, but a means to improve quality of life. To unlock the full potential of Australia’s people and economy, we must invest in the conditions that enable everyone to thrive. This requires a human-centred productivity agenda that values:

→ Wellbeing as a key outcome of productivity
→ Resilience as a key foundation for sustained growth
→ Inclusion as a driver of both equity and efficiency

From this perspective, we regard AOD issues as a major driver of preventable illness, social disadvantage and lost productivity—placing sustained pressure on hospitals, housing, justice and welfare systems. We support community-based AOD treatments that contribute to prevention and early intervention by improving physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, along with building motivation and resilience to drive sustained reduction or cessation of AOD use. Ultimately, inclusive and effective AOD treatment programs enable all people, including priority populations, to reconnect with family, friends and community, and make socially and economically meaningful contributions to society.

While a range of AOD treatment programs are offered by services across the UnitingCare Network, this submission specifically highlights the Catalyst AOD program—delivered by Uniting Vic.Tas—as a prime example of a community-based treatment initiative. Catalyst is effectively addressing the need for non-residential AOD services across multiple regions, helping to bridge the gap in demand for these vital programs.

Evidence demonstrates that Catalyst holistically addresses both the health and social dimensions of AOD to reduce harm, including among priority groups. In addition, Catalyst is scalable, providing an opportunity for national expansion of a tested and proven program.

We note that Uniting Vic.Tas previously made a submission to this Inquiry in 2024, highlighting unmet need for AOD services among particular cohorts, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and the role of treatment programs like Catalyst in addressing this need. Building on those earlier insights, this submission reiterates the key themes and issues raised, further emphasising the ongoing importance of effective, inclusive AOD programs as a continuing priority.

Download the PDF to read the submission in full.

About UnitingCare Australia

UnitingCare Australia is the national body for the Uniting Church’s community services network and is an agency of the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia.

We give voice to the Uniting Church’s commitment to social justice through advocacy and by strengthening community service provisions.

We are the largest network of social service providers in Australia, supporting 1.4 million people every year across urban, rural, and remote communities.

Our aged care network delivers services to approximately 95,000 older people and has more than 220 residential aged care homes across all states and territories, including in capital cities, regional towns, and very remote parts of Australia.

We focus on articulating and meeting the needs of people at all stages of life and those that are most vulnerable.