Commissioner for Residential Tenancies and Consumer Affairs Victoria visit Cafs

Child and Family Services Ballarat (Cafs) welcomed Dr Heather Holst, Commissioner for Residential Tenancies, along with members of the Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) team, to its Ballarat office today. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the impact of Cafs’ integrated housing and financial support services across the Central Highlands region.

Cafs, a community-governed organisation with over 159 years of service, presented its unique positioning as a CAV-funded provider delivering tenancy advocacy, financial counselling, and rental stress support.

The visit highlighted the organisation’s commitment to early intervention and holistic support for individuals and families facing housing instability and financial hardship.

“Today, we amplified the voices of renters in private, public, and community housing, highlighting the issues they face and the critical importance of upholding renters' rights to prevent homelessness, improve housing conditions, and promote housing justice,” said Emily Nester, Manager Client Services & Community.

“The Commissioner’s visit today reflected a strong commitment to closer collaboration in addressing legislative gaps and understanding how individuals may fall through the cracks,” said Ms Nester.

“We’re especially grateful for the storytelling and deep listening that shaped the session. The ongoing efforts of both the Commissioner for Residential Tenancies and CAV, in partnership with Cafs, continues to uphold, strengthen, and advocate for the rights of the people we serve.”

“We’re proud to have reinstated more than three-quarters of tenancies at risk, and we continue to build financial capability and self-advocacy through a therapeutic lens,” she said.

Dr. Holst’s visit, alongside the CAV team, also sparked important conversations around policy reform, including the reframing of landlords as essential service providers - a shift that aligns with Cafs’ advocacy for housing as a rights and wellbeing issue.

Looking ahead, Cafs is focused on expanding its digital engagement, embedding therapeutic specialists in areas such as family violence and problem gambling, and securing long-term funding to meet growing community demand.

“We’re grateful for the Commissioner and the CAV team’s time and interest in our work,” said Ms Nester. “Their visit reinforces the importance of collaborative, community-driven solutions to housing stress and financial insecurity.”

To learn more or express interest, please visit our Housing & Homelessness page or contact the team on 1800 MY CAFS (1800 692 237).