What are Partnerships Addressing Disadvantage (PADs)?
PADs bring together the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors to deliver programs that tackle pervasive social issues. This is done by linking government payments to the achievement of agreed social outcomes.
PADs complement other State Government programs and do not replace existing services.
New partnership opportunities
The tender period closed on 26 April 2025 and we are currently evaluating tenders for the upcoming sixth PAD. This PAD will serve young people with alcohol and drug and other complex needs.
Current PADs
Victoria currently has two PADs in operation:
- Living Learning provides three years of education and wraparound mental health support for young people aged 15 to 21 who are disengaged from employment, education and training and who have a mental health condition.
- Arc provides people leaving prison who are at risk of homelessness, with pre-release and two years of post-release support, along with access to housing.
Completed PADs
- Side by Side provided student and family support for primary school students, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, as well as training for schools to improve school culture and inclusiveness.
- Journey to Social Inclusion Social Impact Investment (J2SI SII) provided intensive case management, supplemented by rapid access to stable housing, for clients who were chronically homeless.
- COMPASS Social Impact Bond (COMPASS) is a preventative program that provided care leavers with two years of access to housing, a key worker to navigate the system, an education specialist, and specialist support services.
Find out more about these existing PADs and hear from some of the program providers on the Current and completed PADs page.
Contact
Please email pads@dtf.vic.gov.au for any additional information or if you’d like to be added to the PADs mailing list.
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