What Is Systems Advocacy?
Systems advocacy works to change policies, laws, organisational practices and broader social structures. It aims to address the root causes of injustice, exclusion or inequality rather than just addressing individual cases.
Why Systems Advocacy Matters
Strong systems advocacy can:
- improve access to essential services
- influence government policy and legislation
- increase fairness for marginalised groups
- eliminate discriminatory practices
- strengthen human rights protections
- ensure services meet real community needs
Where Systems Advocacy Happens
- government inquiries and consultations
- law reform and policy submissions
- public campaigns and media work
- community organising and coalition building
- sector leadership and roundtables
- monitoring systems for human rights compliance
Examples of Systems Advocacy
- campaigning for more accessible public transport
- advocating for reforms to the NDIS Act or guidelines
- developing community-led policy recommendations
- challenging discriminatory local or national policies
- building alliances to influence government decisions
Characteristics of Strong Systems Advocacy
- community-led and grounded in lived experience
- rights-based and evidence-informed
- collaborative across sectors
- strategic and long-term
- focused on fairness, equality and justice
Quick Summary
- Systems advocacy works to improve policies, laws and services.
- It creates change for whole communities, not just individuals.
- It requires strategy, evidence, partnerships and lived experience.
- It strengthens human rights and drives long-term social change.