Monthly Newsletter | Edition 36

Editorial

Dear Colleagues, 

There was relief before Christmas when the Australian Government announced continued funding for current Commonwealth drug and alcohol programs (DAP) which were due to expire by June 30. The Department of Health, Disability & Ageing has confirmed that all currently funded AOD grants are being extended for one year to June 2027, before it undertakes a process for new 3-year grant agreements from July 2027.

While this ensures continuity of vital AOD service to communities and employment certainty for our workforce in the short term, the total quantum of funds invested by the Commonwealth to address AOD related harm remains of major concern. $727 million over three years from 2026-27 is a key reason why up to 500,000 Australians each year are missing out on the treatment and support they would like to address a substance use issue. For context, the Victorian Government alone is spending 35% more each year on AOD than the Commonwealth Government is spending right across Australia!

The Commonwealth Government must carry a greater share of the responsibility in driving solutions to address the health impacts of AOD by investing significantly more in prevention, treatment and harm reduction. As recently evidenced by the KPMG/University of Queensland Drug and Alcohol Program Final Evaluation Report, “two important trends characterise the AOD landscape in Australia: increased demand for services and increased complexity of client needs.” This need and demand can only be met if all governments work together and share the responsibility and cost equitably in responding to AOD related harm in the community.

The release of the Victorian AOD Strategy 2025-35 in December, was an important moment in laying the foundations for what an effective approach broadly needs to look like if we want to achieve this. I am positive about the Victorian AOD Strategy because it was informed extensively by our sector, including by an AOD Sector Reference Group that worked closely with the Department of Health as part of its development, with draft priorities and actions tested through broader consultation with the sector. I am hopeful that this 10 year roadmap will harmonise with the next National Drug Strategy, and ensure that the vision for a holistic approach to reduce AOD harms and stigma will be achieved.

Chris Christoforou
Chief Executive Officer

VAADA Updates

Dr Tamsin Short (Access Health and Community) will be continuing in the role of VAADA President at a pivotal time for the sector with Victoria’s first comprehensive AOD Strategy in decades, alongside VAADA’s new Strategic Plan, setting an important context for the year ahead.

Clare Davies (SHARC) has been re-elected as Vice-President, while Kent Burgess has been confirmed as Treasurer following the departure of Dom Ennis, whose leadership is warmly acknowledged.  Jose Taylor (Meli) was re-elected to the Board, and Simone Heald (North Richmond Community Health) joins as a new Director.

The Board looks forward to working with members and the VAADA team throughout 2026.

📖 About the Program

The AOD Leadership Accelerator Program is a tailored leadership development program for new and emerging leaders in the AOD sector, delivered in partnership with RMIT.

The program will be delivered in 2026 through two rounds, over three months and includes three in-person workshops, three online workshops and three online Community of Practice sessions. The program is designed to build participants’ leadership understanding, confidence and practical capability within the context of the AOD sector.

The program is supported by the Victorian Department of Health.

📣 We are Hiring!

To help us run the program we are seeking a Training Facilitator to support and co-facilitate the program. The role is well suited to an experienced AOD leader who enjoys facilitating group learning, sharing practice wisdom, and supporting others to grow into leadership roles.

👉 Click here for more information and how to apply for the role.... 

Applications close tomorrow!

Hear about who makes up the Victorian AOD workforce, where capability and strengths sit, areas for development, what motivates people to stay in the sector, including factors influencing workforce wellbeing and retention.

This webinar shares key insights from the VAADA 2025 AOD Workforce Survey Report. The report explores the challenges, strengths and emerging opportunities shaping Victoria’s AOD workforce, alongside comparisons with findings from the 2023 survey. Together, these insights help inform sector planning, workforce development and future priorities.

This webinar is open to anyone with an interest in the AOD workforce, including those involved in service delivery, sector planning, career pathways, education and workforce development.

In November 2025, the Australian and Victorian governments announced a jointly commissioned independent review of cohealth’s general practice services, following a decision to close clinics in Fitzroy, Collingwood and Kensington. 

VAADA has made a strong submission urging that cohealth’s general practice services be protected and strengthened, warning that any reduction would have serious impacts on people experiencing acute disadvantage, including those with alcohol and other drug dependence.

VAADA welcomed the release of the Victorian Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Strategy 2025–2035 in December last year.  This is a step forward for AOD policy in Victoria. After decades without a comprehensive framework, the Strategy provides a clear roadmap for reform to strengthen the AOD service system over the next decade.

The Strategy responds to long-standing limitations in treatment capacity and barriers to accessing support, at a time of rising demand and increasing drug-related harm. We welcome its focus on improving access to information and support, partnering with lived and living experience communities, and strengthening coordination across government. The commitment to stabilise the opioid pharmacotherapy system and improving drug monitoring is also positive.

The full strategy and a summary version are now published on the Department of Health website.

VAADA welcomes the Department of Treasury and Finance’s decision to prioritise young people requiring alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment with multiple and complex needs in the sixth Partnerships Addressing Disadvantage (PAD).

This initiative represents Australia’s first social impact bond focused on building an evidence base for effective AOD interventions and demonstrating downstream cost savings across health and social service systems. It creates a unique opportunity for Victorian AOD providers to partner with the private sector on outcomes-based solutions that improve pathway options for young people with multiple and complex needs in treatment.

Information about the current PAD round and tender are now available.

Esther will be greatly missed at VAADA as she departs to pursue an exciting opportunity in the film industry. Since joining VAADA in May 2024, Esther has made an outstanding contribution, strengthening relationships with Murray PHN through regional workforce development forums and a Community of Practice, leading significant work on VAADABase, and coordinating our most recent Service Providers Conference. Esther's diligence, thoughtfulness and impact have been exceptional, and her departure is a real loss for VAADA and the AOD sector. 

All the best Esther, we can't wait to hear your updates!

Should you need support with a project previously led by Esther, please contact the VAADA office on 9412 5600 or email below and we will direct your enquiry to the appropriate contact.

Family Violence

Submission to the Inquiry into the relationship between Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence and Suicide

VAADA welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Parliamentary Inquiry into the relationship between domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) and suicide. As Victoria’s peak body for alcohol and other drug (AOD) services, VAADA brings a system-level perspective on how DFSV, substance use and suicide risk intersect over time, and how service responses can shape safety, risk and lethality.

Drawing on research and practice insights, including VAADA’s coordination of the Specialist Family Violence Advisor Capacity Building Program, the submission outlines practical solutions to identify DFSV-related suicide risk earlier, strengthen professional capability, address service gaps, and improve safety and accountability.

Workforce Development

Coming up on Elevate!

Sector Updates