Winter 2026
The 2026 Vinnies CEO Sleepout on 18 June has delivered a record-breaking result, raising more than $10 million nationally – the highest total in the event’s 21-year history – as demand for homelessness services across Australia continues to grow.
Around the country, 1,615 business and community leaders woke on Friday 19 June having already raised over $10 million, supported by more than 40,000 donors. Beyond fundraising, the CEO Sleepout continues to build understanding, to inspire long-term solutions to homelessness and to support vital services.
Participants again slept in basic conditions to gain a small insight into the realities faced by people without a safe place to call home. Funds raised stay in local communities, supporting St Vincent de Paul Society services that help people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
Here are highlights from around the grounds…
Vinnies CEO Sleepout participants gathered at Roma Street Parkland in Brisbane overnight on 18 June
QUEENSLAND
More than 400 Queensland leaders made history, raising over $2.9 million – a new benchmark for the state. Events were held at Roma Street Parkland in Brisbane, CBUS Stadium on the Gold Coast and Maroochydore Surf Club on the Sunshine Coast on 18 June.
Queensland’s result helped push the national total past $10 million for the first time ever. Brisbane raised over $1.8 million, the Gold Coast more than $880,000, and the Sunshine Coast a record $240,000.
Funds will support long-term solutions including community housing with wraparound services to help people build stability and break the cycle of homelessness.
NEW SOUTH WALES
In NSW, 336 leaders have raised more than $2.44 million so far to fund homelessness and housing services delivered by the Society across the state. Participants slept out at White Bay Cruise Terminal in Sydney, Fort Scratchley in Newcastle, and the Conservatorium of Music in Wollongong.
Grant Steward from Consep Pty Ltd was the highest fundraiser nationally, raising close to $270,000.
This result comes amid growing demand. Over the past year, the Society in NSW has supported 23 per cent more people experiencing homelessness, with increasingly complex needs. Calls to the helpline have nearly doubled compared to the same time last year, driven by rising rents, cost-of-living pressures and unexpected life events.
Participants at the NSW 2026 Vinnies CEO Sleepout event at White Bay Cruise Terminal, Sydney.
In NSW, business and community leaders came together to raise more than $2.3 million, which will directly fund homelessness and housing services run by the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.
Photos: St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.
SVdP Victoria State President Brendan Podbury addresses the CEO Sleepout participants.
VICTORIA
Sleeping out at Federation Square in Melbourne on 18 June, 357 leaders have raised over $1.85 million.
This year’s theme, ‘See it. Solve it.’, challenged participants to confront the reality of homelessness. Domestic and family violence remains the leading cause of homelessness in Australia, with nearly 8,000 women returning to violent partners each year due to a lack of safe housing.
The Society’s Victoria Group CEO Charlie Spendlove told participants the event is about more than one night: “It exists to engage leaders, raise critical funds for frontline services and keep homelessness on the public agenda while broader, systemic solutions continue to be pursued.”
Photos: Casamento Photography
Funds from this year’s Vinnies CEO Sleepout in Melbourne will be directed to services for families and individuals escaping family and domestic violence.
Vinnies CEO Sleepout participants hunker down in the carpark at Federation Square.
TASMANIA
At UTAS Stadium (aka York Park) in Launceston and Ninja Stadium (aka Bellerive Oval) in Hobart, 45 participants braved wintry conditions to raise more than $64,000.
Leading fundraisers included Mark Mugnaioni (Royal Automobile Club of Tasmania), Steven Dietrick (TasRail), and Emma Campbell (Australian Antarctic Division).
Three of the participants at the Vinnies CEO Sleepout event in Hobart.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
This year’s event at Perth Zoo was “a roaring success” with 110 participants sleeping out and raising more than $1.1 million – the state’s highest total since 2013. The new venue helped boost participation by more than 40 per cent.
Vinnies WA CEO Ann Curran highlighted the scale of the state’s homelessness crisis, where more than 5,000 adults and 830 young people in WA experience homelessness on any given day.
Funds will support WA homelessness services including Tom Fisher House and Passages Youth Engagement Hubs in Perth and Peel.
The event also featured powerful lived-experience perspectives, including youth advocate Kaya, who experienced homelessness at 13 and now works to improve support systems for young people.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
In Darwin, 39 leaders slept out at Fannie Bay Gaol, raising more than $108,000. One participant’s cardboard sign highlighted the stark reality that ‘1 in 17 people in the NT are experiencing homelessness’. The Society will use these funds to support the individuals and families behind that alarming statistic.
Heading the NT leaderboard are Clalia Mar from the Catholic Diocese of Darwin, Michael Rotumah from the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation, and Roby Cahill OAM from the NT Government.
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
At Adelaide Zoo, SA Premier Peter Malinauskas was one of 130 leaders who have raised more than $850,000. Participating in his ninth Sleepout, the Premier is the state’s top fundraiser with over $101,000.
Funds will support services including Vinnies SA’s Women’s Crisis Centre, Men’s Crisis Centre and Fred’s Van meal service.
Donations remain open until 31 July 2026 at ceosleepout.org.au.