Wollongong - 2 April 2026 - CatholicCare Diocese of Wollongong has been selected to deliver Families Together services across the Macarthur and Southern Highlands regions in New South Wales, recognising the organisation’s strong local presence, trusted relationships and proven experience supporting vulnerable families to keep children safe at home. 

Families Together is part of the NSW Government’s family preservation reforms, designed to provide earlier, more sustained support for families experiencing complex pressures – helping prevent unnecessary entry into out-of-home care where it is safe to do so.  CatholicCare acknowledges Minister Kate Washington and the NSW Government for investing in early intervention to better support families experiencing a range of vulnerabilities.

CatholicCare's selection reflects its long-standing role working alongside families in high-growth and high-need communities, and its ability to deliver intensive, wrap‑around support that responds to the realities families face in everyday life.

The Families Together model provides up to 12 months of flexible, in-home support for families experiencing challenges such as domestic and family violence, substance abuse, housing insecurity and financial stress. The extended timeframe allows workers to build trust, stabilise families and coordinate the right mix of supports over time, rather than responding only at crisis point.

Macarthur is one of NSW’s fastest‑growing, family‑dense regions, while parts of the Southern Highlands face service access and distance challenges. Across both regions, some families are experiencing additional pressures and vulnerabilities, and the stress involved in navigating multiple challenges. Access to earlier support can make a critical difference for families, helping them stay safe, stable and connected.  

Families Together is designed to respond to these realities by investing earlier, staying longer and working across the whole family system.

CatholicCare's approach brings together skilled case management, counselling, therapeutic and practical support and close collaboration with community and specialist services, ensuring families are supported in a coordinated and respectful way.

“This program recognises that families don’t experience challenges in isolation,” said Michael Austin, CEO CatholicCare Diocese of Wollongong.

“Families Together allows us to walk alongside families in their own communities, responding to real‑life pressures, being available when families need us, and staying with them long enough to create meaningful and lasting change.”

Services will operate with extended availability, including early mornings, evenings and after‑hours support, reflecting the times when families are most likely to need help. This flexibility, combined with CatholicCare's established local networks, was a key factor in the organisation's selection.

“At its heart, this work is about dignity, trust and hope," Mr Austin said. "It's about supporting parents, keeping children safe and strengthening families so they can stay connected to each other and their communities wherever possible.”

CatholicCare will work closely with government, community partners and families as part of a careful establishment and transition process, with service delivery to commence later this year.

Media Contact:
Nick Felvus
Communications Specialist
CatholicCare Wollongong
M: 0427 423 620
E: nicholasf@catholiccare.dow.org.au