We seek to cooperate and work with grassroots organisations to better help those disadvantaged and marginalised within their communities, by offering advisory and advocacy services. Families and Individuals are in more distress, and more in need of help, today than ever before!
Advocacy
With the complexity of requirements by State and Federal Government bodies and agencies, banks and Workcover providers, it is becoming harder for the average person to make their way through the maze to achieve a successful outcome for themselves.
Oz Assist will help them obtain, where possible, the outcomes they desire by helping them work through the various processes and procedures required.
Advisory
Oz Assist helps charities to set themselves up so they are compliant with the requirements of various State and Federal Government organisations, as well as banking and accounting practices. Oz Assist also helps grassroots non-profit organisations (charities) who don’t have the expertise to make sure they are compliant with:
- Local State requirements (Incorporations)
- Australian Charities & Non-Profits Commission (ACNC)
- Australian Taxation Office (ATO)
Assistance we have given to clientele
Assisting victims of domestic violence - arranging accommodation, supplying basic needs such as bedding, appliances, food , petrol and medicines.
WorkSafe Victoria – negotiating better outcomes for clients.
NDIS – working with clients to obtain the best outcomes.
Centrelink - age, disability support, unemployment, carer benefits, updating assets registers – assisting clients to apply for various benefits.
War Pension benefits – advising on ways forward to obtain the pension.
Ombudsman – discussion with Ombudsman to obtain outcomes for clients.
Human Rights Commission – assisting clients to discuss problems with the Ombudsman.
Royal Commission into Disability – assisting clients in discussions.
Disputes with Motor Vehicle dealers – assisting clients and talking to dealers for outcomes relating to faulty vehicles.
Community Centres – helping to obtain Public Benevolent Institution status ( PBI) and then Deductable Gift Recipient status (DRG). Also assisting with various expertise that clients don’t have.
Disputes with Utility and Phone Companies – assisting clients who have payment problems and require Advocacy to sort out disputes.
Helping with mortgages – having discussions with banking organisations to help clients suspend or reorganise mortgages.
VCAT Victoria – assisting clients with family disputes.
AAT and Federal court – assisting clients to appeal Centrelink decisions.
Family disputes / abuse – advising and assisting clients about various actions they can take.
Woman’s needs / self-esteem – spending time with clients and building up their confidence and self-esteem.
CPAP machines / Medical aids – assisting to purchase various items.
Priority housing – assisting clients to apply for housing.
Superannuation options – assisting and discussing with Superannuation companies to determine clients’ best options.
Information referrals – assisting clients on best options and a way forward.
Clothing – purchasing clothing for clients to help them when seeking employment.
Discretionary support- Food cards, Petrol Cards, school needs, Utility bills, medical and dental – providing cards and paying bills when clients cannot afford to do so.
Transportation – transporting clients to medical appointments, hospitals, rehabilitation and assisting with shopping needs.
Basic Wills – completing a basic Will for clients.
Stroke4Stroke – assisting stroke victims with rehabilitation through playing golf.
Bullying at work – assisting clients to work through situations with the Employer and other authorities.
Insurance problems – assisting clients with their insurance queries and claims.
Landlord problems – assisting clients with problems in obtaining repairs and cancelling leases.
Drug Rehabilitation – researching and advising clients on suitable drug rehabilitation centres.
Issues with Neighbours - assisting clients to sort out problems / disputes with neighbours.
Powers of Attorney – assisting with Powers of Attorney for both Financial and Medical matters.
Advisory work for Non- Profit organisations – working with Non- Profit organisations to sort out problems with both ACNC; ABN; ATO; ASIC and State Consumer Affairs. Helping to obtain Public Benevolent Institution and Deductible Gift Recipient status. (eg. Tax deductible donations for donations over $2.00)
What is Kidz Assist?
Kidz Assist is a division of Oz Assist, a non-for-profit charity, helping individuals and families across Australia. Kidz Assist targets socially disadvantaged families and individuals in providing financial assistance towards their educational needs.
Why is it needed
When a child starts a school year, parents are expected to foot the bill of school fees, uniforms, stationary items and much more at the start of each year. These costs add up quickly and all at once.
In addition to these ‘beginning of year expenses’, students undertake many different learning opportunities and experiences at various points throughout the school year. These come at additional costs to families and can range from $50 to $800 per year, per student and it can be made harder for families with two or more school age siblings. Unfortunately, if parents cannot meet these additional financial challenges, the children miss out.
Kidz Assist wants to ensure that all children have the opportunity to receive the same educational experience and ensue that no child misses out.
What we can assist with?
The financial assistance we offer to help students and families through their school journey include:
- shoes
- uniform costs
- book and stationary items
- online learning subscriptions
- art consumables
- school camp
- swimming costs
- internal school event costs
- excursion costs
We would like to give every child the opportunity to have a positive and well-rounded education and to this end we are looking to raise funds to "assist" these Kidz.
History
The founders of Oz Assist, Peter and Dianne Crosby, have been instrumental in setting up a number of public care organisations since 1991, beginning with Acts Care Inc in Bendigo. Each of these organisations – Acts Care, Australia Help (1997) and Oz Assist (2008) – have achieved Public Benevolent Institution status and qualified for Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) concessions.
Under Dianne and Peter’s control Acts Care was involved in many projects such as the Rotary Farm Aid Project (feeding 175 families weekly over a nine-month period); Breakfast in Schools; Friday Lunches in the Bendigo city region; obtaining foodstuffs, clothing and other accessories for the disadvantaged in regions including the Wimmera and Mallee in Victoria.
Australia Help, which is still going to this day, specialises in helping families and individuals in rural Victoria. For more information visit their website www.australiahelp.org
Over the years Oz Assist, under Peter and Dianne’s management, has been instrumental in helping disadvantaged families and individuals with Food Parcels and everyday living requirements, advice and advocacy on matters such as problems with various Government agencies, banks, Workcover providers and Overseas Aid via Global Development Group.
Moving forward, Oz Assist is increasing its advisory and advocacy services for those who are disadvantaged, marginalised, disabled or who are suffering from illness. There is a widening need for these individuals and families to be helped as they often “fall through the cracks”.
Contact
For further information,
please contact:
Peter Crosby
M: 0411 714 885
E: peterc@ozassist.org
Oz Assist is a Public Benevolent Institution and has DRG status.
All donations over $2.00 are Tax Deductible