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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

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ACSO Relocates Richmond Head Office

March 25, 2024

We’re relocating our head office from our longstanding Richmond location on Hoddle St, to two new hub locations. The decision...

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Closing the Gap on Youth Justice

March 22, 2024

In conjunction with Closing the Gap Day, the Close the Gap Campaign Alliance Group launched its 2024 Close the Gap Campaign Report. The report...

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ACSO Stories: Brooke’s excellent client feedback

March 14, 2024

At ACSO, one of the things that further drives our passion for our work is hearing some of the incredible...

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ACSO’s Gender Pay Gap Report 2024

March 8, 2024

ACSO is an organisation that prides itself on inclusivity, equity, and providing a safe workplace, which operates without bias for...

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ACSO Stories: E&I Manager Claire Featured in New Rainbow Yarra Campaign

March 1, 2024

In February, the City of Yarra presented a new campaign called ‘Queer Is…’, which shines a light on members of...

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ACSO Stories: ReStart Client Success

February 19, 2024

At ACSO, one of the things that further drives our passion for our work is hearing some of the incredible...

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ACSO Comment: How the housing crisis is affecting people leaving prison

February 8, 2024

Last week, Guardian Australia reported on how the housing crisis is affecting the rising numbers of people who are incarcerated...

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ACSO Stories: Gaz’s Grand Adventure

January 12, 2024

At ACSO, one of the things that further drives our passion for our work is hearing some of the incredible...

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Our 2022-2023 Annual Report is out now!

December 8, 2023

ACSO's 2022/23 Annual Report is out now!

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