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  1. FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Here are some of the common questions we get asked about neighbourhood houses and the sector. If you can't find the answer you're looking for, contact us.

How many Neighbourhood Houses are there in Victoria?

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There are just over 400 Neighbourhood Houses across Victoria.

  • 52% of these are in metropolitan Melbourne
  • 13% are in regional/rural towns with populations greater than 10,000
  • 14% are in rural towns with populations between 3,000 to 10,000
  • 20% are in rural towns with populations less than 3,000

Across Australia, there are over 1,000 Neighbourhood Houses - that's more than the number of McDonalds!

Published: 29th May, 2020

Updated: 7th June, 2022

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How many people visit a Neighbourhood House?

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Around 200,000 Victorians visit a Neighbourhood House in an average week. Throughout a year, over 10 million visits occur across the state.

Published: 26th May, 2020

Updated: 7th June, 2022

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What services do Neighbourhood Houses provide?

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Every Neighbourhood House is different and will provide different services and activities based on the needs of the community they are situated in.

Some common services you may find at a Neighbourhood House include:

  • Adult education (pre-accredited and accredited training)
  • Art and craft classes
  • Childcare
  • Community events
  • Community lunches / Social eating groups
  • Community gardens
  • Digital literacy training
  • Food banks
  • Government services such as Centrelink, Vic Roads
  • Job seeking support
  • Health and wellbeing activities such as exercise, walking groups, yoga and tai chi classes
  • Internet access
  • Library or book swap services
  • Maternal child health
  • Men's Sheds
  • Migrant support programs e.g. english classes
  • Playgroups
  • Room hire
  • Referrals 
  • Self help and support groups
  • Seniors' groups
  • Toy libraries
  • Visitor/tourist information
  • Volunteering opportunities
  • Youth programs

Published: 22nd May, 2020

Updated: 7th June, 2022

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How do I volunteer at a Neighbourhood House?

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There are over 6,900 people who volunteer at Neighbourhood Houses across Victoria. Their duties could range from assisting with arts classes, to cooking meals, to office admin.

If you're interested in getting involved in your local community, contact the Neighbourhood Houses in your area directly to find out if they have any volunteering opportunities available.

Published: 19th May, 2020

Updated: 7th June, 2022

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How are Neighbourhood Houses funded?

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The State Government's Department of Families, Fairness and Housing provides core funding to more than 95 per cent of Victoria’s Neighbourhood Houses through the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program.

Other sources of income may include the Department of Education and Training, Local Government, Federal Government, grants, and funds generated by Neighbourhood Houses themselves (e.g. room hire fees).

Published: 15th May, 2020

Updated: 7th June, 2022

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Do Neighbourhood Houses have paid staff or is it all volunteer based?

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At the very least, each Neighbourhood House employs a Manager/Coordinator who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the house. Depending on the size of the organisation, the paid workforce of a single Neighbourhood House could vary from one to dozens!

The Neighbourhood House sector employs over 5,000 people across the state.

Volunteers play a massive role however. Without them, many services and activities simply wouldn't occur.

Published: 12th May, 2020

Updated: 7th June, 2022

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How are Neighbourhood Houses governed?

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The vast majority (86%) of Neighbourhood Houses are incorporated associations with a committee/board of governance.

Otherwise:

  • 7% are council managed
  • 5% are auspiced by another organisation
  • 2% are cooperatives or companies limited by guarantee

Published: 8th May, 2020

Updated: 7th June, 2022

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Does the Neighbourhood Houses Victoria have authority over individual Neighbourhood Houses?

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The quick and simple answer is no. As a peak body, it is our job to support and promote best practice, provide informed advice and advocate on behalf of the sector, however each Neighbourhood House is its own separate entity with its own autonomy.

Published: 5th May, 2020

Updated: 7th June, 2022

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How do I raise a concern or make a complaint?

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  • Members of the public who have a complaint about a Neighbourhood House should use the organisation’s complaint process. Each Neighbourhood House is required to have one of these which may be an online or a paper based form.
  • Members of the organisation who have a complaint about the governance should use the process outlined in the organisation’s constitution.
  • Employees who have a complaint about their manager/committee should use the process outlined in the relevant industrial award or agreement as per their employment contract.

Published: 1st May, 2020

Updated: 7th June, 2022

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Showing 10 of 9

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  • Find a Neighbourhood House

  • Job opportunities

    Job opportunities

    Want to work in the Neighbourhood House sector? See a list of current job vacancies at Neighbourhood Houses across Victoria.

  • Industrial relations

    Industrial relations

    Includes agreements and awards, paytables and long service leave.

  • Power Saving Bonus Outreach Program

    Power Saving Bonus Outreach Program

    Find out how to access the State Government's $250 Power Saving Bonus at a Neighbourhood House.

  • COVID-19 information and resources

    COVID-19 information and resources

    We are committed to supporting our members in responding to the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19).

  • What is a Neighbourhood House?

    What is a Neighbourhood House?

    Neighbourhood Houses bring people together to connect, learn and contribute to their local community.

  • Member's area

  • List of Neighbourhood Houses via Local Government area

  • Annual Survey Resources

    Annual Survey Resources

    This page contains resources to assist you to successfully capture the information required to complete the 2022 Neighbourhood House Survey.

  • Who we are

    Who we are

    As the peak body for the Neighbourhood House sector, we represent a membership of close to 400 community-based organisations across Victoria.

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Shop B41
Level 4 744 Bourke Street
Docklands VIC, 3008

(03) 9602 1228
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We appreciate the ongoing support of the Victorian State Government.

 
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands across Victoria. We pay our respects to their spirits, ancestors, elders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members past, present and emerging.
 
Neighbourhood Houses combat social isolation and loneliness by being accessible, non-threatening and inclusive spaces that welcome people from all walks of life. Everyone is invited, no matter their gender, age, race, sexuality, abilities, culture or religion.



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