Understand the story.
Support the change.

I'm making / checking on a referral

I'd like to learn more about ACSO

I'm interested in working at ACSO

I'm making / checking on a professional referral

Welcome to the Australian Community Support Organisation (ACSO)

Our vision is for a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and prison truly is the last resort

Latest News

Alex-YRR-story-Aug-2023

Alex’s Story of Transformation with Youth Residential Rehabilitation (YRR)

September 22, 2023

In the realm of personal growth and transformation, there are stories that stand out as inspiring examples of triumph over...

Uluru at sunrise with blue sky

Fostering Unity: ACSO’s Commitment to First Nations Self-Determination

August 21, 2023

In late 2023, Australians will vote in a referendum to establish if First Nations people have the right to speak...

Boost mentor spending time with young person

Boost Program Empowers Young People to Break the Cycle of Violence 

July 20, 2023

In response to the urgent need for targeted interventions addressing domestic and family violence (DFV) offences among adolescents, ACSO has...

two people gardening

ACSO Launches Access and Inclusion Plan, Transforming Lives Through Disability Inclusion in the Criminal Justice Sector 

June 21, 2023

ACSO unveils its comprehensive Access and Inclusion Plan (2023-2026), marking a significant milestone in their mission to become a leader...

ACSO Images

Out now! ACSO’s 2021-2022 Annual Report.

December 12, 2022

Read about our achievements for the year

20221124-icjc-016_v2

10th International Criminal Justice Conference

November 28, 2022

Leading criminal justice voices convene in Melbourne to share ideas and discuss solutions.

boost program

Boost program a first for the Illawarra

November 4, 2022

How mentoring is helping divert teens from harmful behaviours

Untitled (940 × 940px)

Boost is off and running!

September 1, 2022

ACSO pilots new youth mentoring program.

ACSO Images

ACSO launches updated website and brand ethos

July 13, 2022

In 2020, ACSO embarked on a journey to strategically position ourselves as changemakers through research, client work and partnerships. With...

Our purpose is to strengthen the wellbeing of communities by advocating for and delivering services which divert people away from the justice system

Circular photo of Stan McCormack all in orange. Stan is cut out and has the logo circles behind him.
our history

Hope through Lived Experience

While I was in an assistant prison chaplain said to me ‘Stan, I want you to give some thought to what would be needed when men are coming out of jail, like a half-way house.  I have a couple of barrister friends who have noticed firsthand the lack of support of anyone after release.’ This was late 1982.

So, I set to work and thought hard, and I decided to make an exercise of it.” – Stan McCormack