Strata Collective Sales Advocacy Service (SCSAS)

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This grant supports not-for-profit organisations to provide legal advice and advocacy services to targeted consumers from identified disadvantaged groups.

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Key information

  • Status: Closed
  • Grant amount: Up to $521,000
  • Application opened: 30 September 2022
  • Application closed: 21 October 2022, 5:00 pm

Program objective

If you’re a not-for-profit organisation with demonstrated skills, abilities and commitment to provide Strata collective sales advocacy services for vulnerable consumers in NSW, this grant may be for you.

This grant supports making dispute resolution is more equitable to NSW strata residential consumers.

This program is administered by NSW Department of Customer Service.

This program is funded by NSW Fair Trading.

Eligibility

Who can apply

To be eligible to apply for SCSAS funding successful applicants must:

  • operate and be based in NSW
  • be an incorporated community based, not - for - profit organisation or registered charity
  • demonstrated experience in delivering high level, legal and advocacy -based services and casework (or similar).

Who can't apply

The following people and organisations are not eligible for funding:

  • individuals
  • organisations or businesses that may or will realise a commercial gain from the project
  • landlord organisations such as aboriginal housing providers and land councils
  • organisations or individuals wishing to provide services or conduct services in a State or Territory other than NSW.

Types of projects funded under this grant

The program is for organisations who help the most financially and socially disadvantaged in the community such as: 

  • recipients under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
  • other persons with disabilities (not NDIS)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
  • low income/Centrelink recipients
  • persons under Public Guardianship
  • persons on a full pension (subject to means testing).

Example projects

Successful SCSAS funded recipients provide a high standard of service delivery through appropriately trained professional staff, who are supported, resourceful and accountable. They work to provide services to assist consumers in resolving Strata disputes in a cost-effective manner such as:

  • advice to targeted NSW strata residential lot owners on their rights, responsibilities and on what action can be taken to resolve their concerns about the strata collective sales and renewals scheme where it affects the targeted lot owner
  • if capacity exists, advice and advocacy to clients with generalist strata matters, providing they meet the criteria stipulated (noting that priority should be given to lot owners in regards to collective sale matters)
  • advocacy to the owner’s corporation, developer or relevant parties on behalf of the targeted NSW strata residential lot owners affected by the scheme via telephone calls, letters or personal representation
  • negotiation of disputes between the targeted strata residential lot owner and the owner’s corporation and developer or relevant party
  • assistance to targeted strata residential lot owners in the preparation of cases for the Tribunal and the Court mentions and hearings
  • representation of targeted strata residential lot owners at the Tribunal and mentions and overcalls at the Court where considered appropriate
  • referrals to relevant authorities
  • community education activities.

Past recipients

Seniors Rights Service
Level 4, 418A Elizabeth Street
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Tel: 1800 424 079

Marrickville Legal Centre
338 Illawarra Road
Marrickville NSW 2204
Tel: 9559 2899

Most recent recipients

All recipients (2)

What your application needs to include

To be considered for SCSAS funding, it is recommended you comply with the items listed below. For further information, refer to the guidelines (PDF 336.55KB).
 

1

Prepare your application with this checklist

You will need to:

  • read through the program and application guidelines before you begin to prepare your application

  • provide responses directly relevant to each of the selection criteria
  • provide relevant, concrete examples of organisational experience and proposed service delivery
  • provide references to support business activity claims, as well as past or current achievements
  • do not assume that your organisation is known to the assessment panel
  • accurately reference the supporting material in the correct section of the application form
  • provide full links rather than hyperlinks to references in the application form
  • do not attach unnecessary documents
  • make sure the contact person and referees for the application are available for at least 4 weeks after the closing date
  • review the checklist to make sure you have included all required information.
2

Address the eligibility criteria

  • attach a copy of certificate of incorporation or an organisation registration certificate
  • evidence that your current and future business activity takes place in NSW
  • evidence that your organisation helps the types of consumers listed above.

Proof your organisation conducts eligible activities under SCSAS

  • the latest annual report describing the strategic operations and achievements of the organisation
  • examples of service policies that include complaints management plus casework practices.

Proof of financial and business activities

  • 2 audited financial statements
  • details of subcontractors such as contracts, agreements or invoices
  • consortia must also provide letters of intent or Memorandum of Understanding from participating organisations.

 

After the application is submitted

Successful applications will be decided by: NSW Fair Trading, Community Grants.

Applications will be assessed against the eligibility criteria which outline the minimum requirements an applicant must meet to be eligible for funding. Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will then be assessed against the assessment criteria and comparatively against other candidates considering the consistency of the proposal with program objectives and the capability, experience, and skills of the applicants.

Applicants will be informed in writing of the decision regarding their application.

Support and contact

If you need more information on eligibility, time frames or if you have questions about the application form email grants@customerservice.nsw.gov.au.

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