Our vision is for a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, and prison truly is the last resort.
Our purpose is to strengthen the wellbeing of communities by advocating for and delivering services which divert people away from the justice system.
Our ethos is "Create another chance"​

ACSO was founded in 1983 by a man named Stan McCormack, who served a number of years in Pentridge Prison for armed robbery. While Stan was in prison, he underwent a spiritual conversion. There were always people in his cell wanting to talk, or needing advice. When he was released, he created the Epistle Centre; later The Victorian Offender Support Agency for ex-prisoners who were highly disadvantaged. Our founders established support programs and a halfway house (McCormack House) which still remains in operation today. 

ACSO has expanded over 35 years to deliver services across the eastern seaboard for the intellectually disabled, peopling with mental illness, alcohol and other drug problems, offenders and people with long term unemployment. With a staff of over 440 and an annual turnover of approximately $50m in 2019, ACSO is now a leading Australian NFP, delivering more than 20 life changing programs to approximately 20,000 people a year

"It was the sheer determination and drive of founder Stan and his supporters that got ACSO through, even when the foundations seemed to disappear. He was willing, and things happening so fast. There was a lot of help from a lot of people, but the brains and inspiration came from Stan. The best thing was that he took all those blokes in on face value without worrying about their pasts"​

Humanitarian

Non Profit

Rehabilitation

ACSO Australia

Vaughan Winther

Nerita Wraight

Lynn Warneke

Jane Hall

Jane Dixon

James Mcginnes

Dean Mcwhirter

Danny Sullivan

Andrew Chadwick

Remberto Rivera

Larissa Daniel

Ian Heycox

Cath Williams

The Clinical and Support Services team at ACSO Australia is dedicated to enhancing the wellbeing of individuals at risk of entering the justice system. Comprising forensic case workers, psychologists, social workers, and addiction specialists, the team provides comprehensive support through assessment, intervention, and case management. Their focus is on evidence-based practices that promote recovery, reintegration, and meaningful community participation, ultimately aiming to divert people from incarceration and foster lasting positive change.

Clinical and Support Services

Operations and Strategy

Human Resources and People Management

Clinical and Support Services

About

Team members

Other teams at ACSO Australia

Operations and Strategy

Human Resources and People Management