Training Example: St Vincent de Paul Society (Vinnies) Australia – Review the Data, Give Your Score & Compare to the Real AI Evaluation

Skip to main contentShareShare on FacebookShare on XShare on TikTokShare on LinkedInShare via EmailOpen main menu Back to menu
[H1] We're here to help
The St Vincent de Paul Society offers over 200 services that help people in need.
Find services in your areaFIND SERVICESOr call 13 18 12
[IMG: Vinnies Winter Appeal 2026]
[H2] For People Like David, Homelessness is Just One Sudden Crisis Away.
This winter, more and more people like David* are being pushed into homelessness and poverty. As prices rise, one sudden crisis can be all it takes.
Donate now
[H2]
[H3] Post-budget Media Release
[H4]
The Society welcomes the federal budget reforms to capital gains tax and negative gearing, describing them as a meaningful step toward improving fairness.Tax reform revenue must be redirected to housing and income support
[H3] Energy Webinar 2026
[H4]
This webinar is part of the Society’s advocacy series, bringing together policy experts and leaders to discuss key social justice issues and to build a fairer Australia.Register Now!
[H3] 'Your Year to Volunteer'
[H4]
As we mark National Volunteer Week, 18-24 May, we offer heartfelt thanks to our Vinnies volunteers and Members for their generous service, dedication and compassion in our local communities. Their commitment provides practical support, upholds dignity and strengthens a sense of belonging for people experiencing hardship.
#NVW2026 #VolunteerYearGet Involved
[H2] Child Poverty in Australia Report
Australia is on track to reach 1 million children living in poverty, with a 33% increase in just the four years.
That's another 237,000 Australian children missing out on meals or living in crowded housing or homeless.
Read the latest report from Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC) released the Child Poverty in Australia Report for the End Child Poverty campaign 2025.
Click here for the full report
[H2] 2026 Energy Economics for Non-Energy Economists
Discover the difference between allocative and productive efficiency, and why economists advocate market-based approaches to reducing emissions.
Join Associate Professors Tim Nelson and Dr Joel Gilmore for a one-day immersive course featuring five 60-minute modules, you'll learn how economics works in Australia's electricity industry. Register today or express your interest to secure your place.
[H4] Melbourne | SOLD OUT   Brisbane | 30 July   Sydney | SOLD OUT   Hobart | 16 Nov
Canberra EOI waitlist
[IMG: Energy info sessions across Australia organise by Vinnies.]
[IMG: Pictured are National Twinning Coordinators (from left): Arthur Schultze (New Zealand/Oceania Twinning Coordinator), Norbert Gonzalves (India), Flolyn Simpson (Fiji) and Catherine Smith (Australia).]
[H2] The Record free subscription
Publications from the St Vincent de Paul Society National Council.
The Record is St Vincent de Paul Society's National Council quarterly magazine focusing on social justice issues such as homelessness, poverty, refugees & asylum seekers and more.
Read The Record
[IMG: White spacer]
[H4]
[H2] Media releases
14/05/2026 Media Release
[H3] Celebrating the power and passion of volunteers
13/05/2026 Media Release
[H3] Tax reform revenue must be redirected to housing, income support
07/05/2026 Media Release
[H3] Vinnies Winter Appeal 2026 launches
01/04/2026 Media Release
[H3] Emergency relief boost welcomed as demands surges
24/03/2026 Media Release
[H3] Vinnies CEO Sleepout launches for 2026
19/03/2026 Media Release
[H3] Australians invited to walk together for refugee justice
More Media Releases
[H2] Latest articles
Read more30/04/2026 Submission
[H3] Submissions on Transgrid’s reopener application
Read more30/03/2026 Submission
[H3] Submission in response to Australia's Humanitarian Program 2026-27
Read more11/02/2026 Submission
[H3] Submission into offshore processing
Read more
[IMG: Image of housing Affordability, Inequality and the Capital Gains Tax Discount]
18/12/2025 Submission
[H3] Operation of the Capital Gains Tax Discount
Read more
[IMG: Frédéric Ozanam portrayed in mosaic tile in the St. Vincent de Paul Chapel]
[H3] Our Mission and Vision
The St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia has more than 45,000 members and volunteers, who work hard to assist people in need and combat social injustice across Australia.
Internationally, the Society operates in 153 countries and has over 800,000 members.Read about Our mission and visionFind out more about the Society
[H2] Get involved
[IMG: A male volunteer in Canberra smiles while wearing a safety vest inside a Vinnies shop.]
[H3] Ways to get involved
The St Vincent de Paul is always looking for motivated community-minded people to get involved in our programs, events and services nationwide.
Here are some ways you can help:Become a member or volunteerSupport our advocacy workStart a fundraiserJoin or support Vinnies CEO SleepoutShare this pageShare on FacebookShare on XShare on TikTokShare on LinkedInShare via EmailQuick Exit

Skip to main contentShareShare on FacebookShare on XShare on TikTokShare on LinkedInShare via EmailOpen main menu Back to menuVinniesGet Involved
[H1] Get involved
Join the community of service-minded people behind the supportive works of St Vincent de Paul Society around Australia. In Australia, the Society and its works is often affectionately referred to as Vinnies.
[IMG: A man and a woman sitting opposite and looking at each other. He is in casual clothes and looks serious.]
[H2] Join our community
[H3] Become a member
[H4]
Membership is one of the main ways to volunteer and make a difference.
Membership is free, and a great way to make a difference locally, including a chance to be hands on in the decision making and stewardship of the Society.Membership
[H3] Volunteer with us
[H4]
You can make a real difference by volunteering with us. There are a range of ways you can donate your time locally to help those in need. Volunteering
[H3] Join Vinnies Youth
[H4]
Our youth led programs provide opportunities for young people aged 16 to 35 to act and engage with their local community.Vinnies Youth
[H3] Work for us
[H4]
Apply your professional skills in a job that gives back to the community.Careers
[H3] Register your school
[H4]
Developed upon Catholic Social Teaching principles, register your school to become involved in our School based Initiatives.Involve your school
[H3] Become a corporate partner
[H4]
Highlight your organisation's compassion by partnering with one of our services or programs and support vulnerable Australians facing hardship.Corporate partnerships
[H2] Support our good works
[H3] Fundraise for us
[H4]
Raise funds to help us make an impact on the lives of othersFundraising opportunities
[H3] Donate to our programs
[H4]
Help change the lives of struggling Australian familiesDonate goods
[H3] Shop with Vinnies
[H4]
Find your local Vinnies shop and get your op shop onVinnies Shops
[H3] Join the CEO Sleepout
[H4]
Change the lives of Australians experiencing homelessnessVinnies CEO sleepout
[H3] Become a Corporate Partner
[H4]
Highlight your organisation’s compassion and help Australians facing hardshipCorporate partnerships
[H2] Learn about us
[H3] School resources
[H4]
Find out what resources and initiatives are available to support your school communityCurriculum resources
[H3] Learn our history
[H4]
Read about who founded the Society and how it startedAbout us
[H3] About membership and conferences
[H4]
Find out more about our membership and conference structureMembership
[H3] Stories of our impact
[H4]
Read real stories of how we've changed people's livesOur stories
[H3] How you can help at home
Donate goodsSupport our advocacy workShare this pageShare on FacebookShare on XShare on TikTokShare on LinkedInShare via Email

Skip to main contentShareShare on FacebookShare on XShare on TikTokShare on LinkedInShare via EmailOpen main menu Back to menuVinniesAbout us
[H1] About us
The St Vincent de Paul Society is an international organisation formed of lay Catholics who seek personal and spiritual growth through serving those in need.
[H2] The St Vincent de Paul Society of Australia
From beginnings in France in the early 1800s, the St Vincent de Paul Society of Australia was founded in 1854. Commonly known in Australia as 'Vinnies', today we have over 45,000 members and volunteers across the country who give their time, care and compassion to assist the most vulnerable in our community.
Our membership is primarily Catholic and our work is based on Catholic Social Teachings. We assist whoever seeks our support, without judgement or prejudice. We do not discriminate against cultural, religious, political, gender or gender identity beliefs.We work to combat social injustice by advocating for people who are marginalised or disadvantaged, or at risk of experiencing disadvantage. Our advocacy work goes to the heart of what the St Vincent de Paul Society stands for.“The strongest hand of true friendship is charity; the exercise of charity is the practice of good works. ”- Blessed Frederic Ozanam, founder of St Vincent de Paul Society
[H3] Keen to learn more?
Our mission and visionOur structureOur storySpiritualityGet InvolvedContact usShare this pageShare on FacebookShare on XShare on TikTokShare on LinkedInShare via Email

Skip to main contentShareShare on FacebookShare on XShare on TikTokShare on LinkedInShare via EmailOpen main menu Back to menuNational CouncilAdvocacy
[H1] Advocacy
[H4] From charity to justice: How advocacy works at St Vincent de Paul. We don't just provide immediate relief; we challenge the systemic barriers that create poverty.
Read our Policy PapersOur mission and vision“You must not be content with tiding the poor over the poverty crisis. You must study their injustices which brought about such poverty, with the aim of a long-term improvement.”
[IMG: Author avatar]
- Blessed Frédéric Ozanam
[H2] Advocacy in Practice
[H3] Social Media
Amplifying voices and raising awareness through strategic digital storytelling and community engagement.
[H3] Submissions & Campaigns
Influencing policy and legislation through evidence-based formal submissions to government inquiries and targeted public campaigns.
[H3] Meetings with MPs and Government Representatives
Direct engagement with policy makers to advocate for the rights and dignity of the people we serve.
[H3] Media & Comms
Framing the public narrative through expert commentary, press releases, and deep-dive media partnerships.
[H3] Policy Papers
Developing rigorous, research-led policy recommendations to address the structural causes of disadvantage.
[H3] Join Our Advocacy Network
Social Justice Advisory Committee
[H2] Priority Policy Areas
[IMG: A small blue paper house stands out amidst a cluster of white paper houses.]
[H3] Housing & Homelessness
[H4]
Combatting homelessness, increasing affordable housing.Housing and homelessness
[H3] Gambling Reform
[H4]
Influencing legislation through evidence-based formal submissions to government inquiries and targeted public campaigns.Gambling
[H3] Refugees
[H4]
Advocating for refugees and people seeking asylum.Refugees and people seeking asylum
[IMG: A photo of a group of young children in a circle looking down t the camera. They are all smiling and laughing.]
[H3] Children
[H4]
Assist and advocate for Children, parents and families.Children and families
[IMG: A photo of 5 people sitting and standing in an office chatting, smiling and looking at a laptop computer.]
[H3] Secure Work
[H4]
Australian workers deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.Secure work
[IMG: A row of adults and children with their backs to the camera, one in a wheelchair. They have their arms linked and the sun is setting in front of them.]
[H3] Safety Net
[H4]
Income Support, Poverty and Debt - Why Australia needs a proper safety net.Income Support
[H3] Energy
[H4]
Energy tariff-tracking, changing costs of electricity and gas.Energy
[H3] Tax Reform
[H4]
Advocate a fairer tax and welfare system in Australia.A fairer tax and welfare system
[H3] Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island
[H4]
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia.Aboriginal & Torres Strait Island
[H2] How does the Society practise advocacy?
Our advocacy begins by listening to the people we assist – our Companions – and elevating their experiences with those who have the power to make change.
It is grounded in the vision of Blessed Frédéric Ozanam and guided by the principles of Catholic Social Teaching.
Our work includes policy development and research, building the evidence base behind the Society’s positions on issues such as housing and homelessness, income support, tax reform, gambling harm, refugees, and First Nations peoples.
Our policy positions, approved by National Council, are also based on advice from the National Council Social Justice Advisory Committee and the Vincentian Refugee Network.
We draft submissions, make representations and support campaigns. The Society responds to parliamentary inquiries and government consultations, often working alongside organisations where there is strong alignment.
We support Member engagement through webinars, advocacy resources, and materials tied to key moments such as federal elections.
We also undertake direct advocacy, including meetings with federal parliamentarians, often alongside our State and Territory Presidents, to raise key issues directly with decision-makers.
[IMG: The latest The Record Quarterly Magazine]
[H4] Click here to read the latest The Record Quarterly Magazine
Share this pageShare on FacebookShare on XShare on TikTokShare on LinkedInShare via Email

Skip to main contentShareShare on FacebookShare on XShare on TikTokShare on LinkedInShare via EmailOpen main menu Back to menuNational CouncilNews and StoriesMedia ReleasesTax reform revenue must be redirected to housing, income support
[H1] Tax reform revenue must be redirected to housing, income support
Media ReleaseFederal Budget13/05/2026 The St Vincent de Paul Society National Council welcomes the Federal Government’s reforms to capital gains tax (CGT) and negative gearing announced in the 2026–27 Budget, describing them as a meaningful step toward improving fairness in Australia’s housing system.
National Council President Mark Gaetani said the changes to the tax settings for investment properties would begin to help rebalance intergenerational equity and reduce some of the structural pressures that have locked too many Australians out of secure, affordable housing.
“For too long, tax settings have disproportionately favoured property investors over first home buyers and low-income renters,” Mr Gaetani said. “These reforms recognise that housing should be treated first and foremost as a basic human right, not primarily a vehicle for wealth accumulation.”
The Society has consistently advocated for reforms to property investor tax incentives, including reducing the former 50% CGT discount, as part of a broader strategy to address Australia’s housing crisis.
“But housing reform cannot be looked at in isolation. Millions of Australians are still struggling to pay for the basics such as food, rent, utilities and school costs, and many are surviving on incomes that are simply too low,” Mr Gaetani said.
“With around 3.6 million people in Australia living in poverty, including one million children and young people*, and JobSeeker still sitting around 38% below the poverty line, this Budget needed to do more to lift income support payments for those of us being left behind.
“The best way to address inequality is to further reform taxation and increase income support for those living below the poverty line. Increasing income support payments helps to ensure everyone can afford what they need and that children get the right start in life.”
Mr Gaetani said fairer tax settings should help build a more just and compassionate Australia, but only if governments make deliberate and brave choices about where to redirect the savings.
“If the Government is serious about easing the housing crisis, it must make sure the benefits of CGT and negative gearing reforms flow towards those facing the greatest pressure, not just to the Budget bottom line,” he said. “That means reinvesting in the housing and income supports that give people real security and reduce reliance on charities which are struggling to meet burgeoning demand for cost-of-living relief.”
The Society believes the Federal Budget should be judged not only on economic outcomes, but whether it improves life for those of us facing poverty, housing insecurity and homelessness.
“A wealthy country like Australia can afford a fairer and more compassionate approach,” Mr Gaetani said. “These reforms are a positive start and they must be matched by serious investment in housing and adequate income support that helps people to live a decent life if we are to deliver lasting change.”
*Economic Inclusion Advisory Committee 2026 Report to Government
The St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia consists of around 40,000 members and volunteers who operate on the ground through over 1,000 groups located in local communities across the country.
MEDIA CONTACT0475 068 209 or media@svdp.org.auShare this pageShare on FacebookShare on XShare on TikTokShare on LinkedInShare via Email

Skip to main contentShareShare on FacebookShare on XShare on TikTokShare on LinkedInShare via EmailOpen main menu Back to menuVinniesFind help
[H1] Find help
The St Vincent de Paul Society helps the most vulnerable in our communities through more than 200 programs and services across the country.
[H2] Find help
Call us on 13 18 12 or enter your postcode to find services in your state or territory.Find services
[H3] Find out more about services in your state and territory
ACT & surroundsNew South WalesNorthern TerritoryQueenslandSouth AustraliaTasmaniaVictoriaWestern Australia
[H2] Vinnies help is near you
We are here to help you. We respect your dignity and share our hope while encouraging you to take control of your own destiny.
Our support is delivered on a local level, so not all services are offered in every state or territory. Talk to our support service providers by calling 13 18 12 or enter your postcode above to find services in your state or territory.
[H2] Our support services
Our support services are tailored to meet the needs of the community; this means not all services are available in all locations. Our services across Australia include:
[H2]
[H3] Services for people who are aged
[H4]
[H3] Services for people with a disability
[H4]
[H3] Disaster recovery support
[H4]
[H3] Family & domestic violence
[H4]
[H3] Drug, alcohol & other addictions
[H4]
[H3] Education & employment
[H4]
[H3] Emergency housing & homelessness
[H4]
[H3] Emergency Relief Program & support
[H4]
[H3] Financial assistance & counselling
[H4]
[H3] Food relief (including in-home and soup vans)
[H4]
[H3] Migrant & refugee services
[H4]
[H3] General support (including home, hospital & prison visits)
[H4]
[IMG: A photo of a burnt tree with new shoots growing out of it.]
[H3] Vinnies Bushfire Appeal
Vinnies Bushfire Appeal
[IMG: A photo of a woman in smart work clothes handing food to a man sitting on the street in a sleeping bag. wearing a beanie. His cardboard sign says jobless.]
[H3] Our impact
Our services are delivered by over 45,000 members, volunteers and employees across Australia. Every day, we help thousands of people to turn their lives around and obtain a better future.Read stories of our impactHow you can help usShare this pageShare on FacebookShare on XShare on TikTokShare on LinkedInShare via EmailQuick Exit