Mobilise Matched: Australia's First Direct Cash Transfer Programme
Mobilise Matched: Australia's First Direct Cash Transfer Programme
Mobilise Matched is our ground-breaking direct cash transfer programme—a first for Australia that gives cash directly to people in hardship, comprehensively transforming the lives of people navigating through homelessness.
What Makes It Different
There's extensive evidence that direct cash transfers work well in the developing world, but in developed countries like Australia, they haven't been well-tested. That's where we step in.
Our work contributes to:
- The global evidence base surrounding direct cash transfers
- Proving that cash + trust = transformation in an Australian context
- Demonstrating new approaches to homelessness support
How It Works
Matched provides cash directly to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with minimal conditions attached. Participants receive funding through our charity partners, who refer people into the programme based on need and eligibility.
Unlike traditional support that prescribes what people should receive, Matched trusts participants to:
- Identify their own priorities
- Make their own decisions about spending
- Use the funding where it makes the most difference in their lives
The Impact
Since launching in 2023, Matched has been part of Mobilise's broader direct giving portfolio that has:
- Supported 300+ programme participants
- Provided $1 million+ in funding
- Empowered people to write their own next chapter with trust and autonomy
Participants have used Matched funding for:
- Securing stable housing
- Covering emergency expenses
- Building financial buffers against future crises
- Investing in education and employment opportunities
Why It Matters
This isn't just about providing money. It's about proving a principle: that people experiencing homelessness can be trusted with cash, that autonomy matters, and that direct transfers work in Australia just as they do elsewhere.
Every Matched participant contributes to building the evidence that could transform how Australia approaches homelessness support.
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Last Updated: January 2026