The NSW Government has promised a 50 per cent increase in funding for six frontline specialist domestic and family violence programs in the state’s budget delivered this week.
The $184.1 million investment has been welcomed by services across the state, and comes after the Federal Budget failed to deliver any meaningful funding support for frontline services.
The lift in funding comes following years of advocacy work by groups like Domestic Violence NSW and its members.
But given it’s been more than a decade since the previous increase to core funding services, it’s an announcement that is well overdue.
Further announcements in the Budget included funding to establish an Independent Victims of Crime Commissioner.
While the Commissioner was announced last year, this funding secures the office’s launch in the next financial year. This commissioner will oversee the Chart of Victims’ Rights, requiring agencies to produce special reports for the NSW parliament, conduct analysis of systemic issues faced by victims of crime and make recommendations to the Attorney. It will also address alleged breaches of the charter.
No to Violence CEO Phillip Ripper has welcomed the funding lift today, crediting Domestic Violence NSW for their advocacy efforts, as well as Mininster for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Jodie Harrison. He now wants to see the NSW Strategy to Respond to the Use of Domestic and Family Violence, released in December.
Ripper said the announcement supports the sector to strengthen the services that respond to violence and support recovery, including ensuring people who use violence can access support and accountability needed to change. “The safest home is a home where violence never begins,” he said.
The $184.1 million for the six frontline programs includes:
- $76.1 million for the Safer Pathway program, providing coordinated support for victim-survivors across NSW.
- $54.0 million for the Staying Home Leaving Violence program and the Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Services program to help women and children remain safely in their homes after violence, and provide intensive case management for high-risk families.
- $19.3 million for Men’s Behaviour Change programs, to reduce and prevent violent and abusive behaviour.
- $17.5 million for the Domestic Violence Response Enhancement program, providing after-hours assistance to people experiencing domestic and family violence.
- $17.2 million for Specialist Workers for Children and Young People, providing trauma-informed support for children and young people escaping violence.
And $2.1 million for Balunda-a, a culturall sensitive holisitc residential diversionary program to help reduce reoofending and enhance skills with a cultural and supportive community/
Meanwhile, an increased f an increased $19.3 million for MBCPs
Meanwhile, workplaces are also set to be invest in via the Educational pathways Programs, to support subsides course into certificates and diiplomas that support workforces across the sector.
Regionally, $71.7 million in travel and accommodation assistance has been unveiled for regionally ocated people to access healthcare, with around 6500 hospitalisations for injuries related to DFV victimiisation, according o the 2021 AIHW.
$4 million for the Ageing and Disability Commission to protect older people and adults with disability from abuse and neglect
45.3 million to support Closing the Gap Commitments, including Aboriginal Child and Family Advocacy Sport Services in Dubbo and Moree, Aboriginal Legal Service bail support programs, and funding for ACCOs to deliver mental health and other community-led services.
- $19.3 million for MBCPs
- $76.1 million for the Safer Pathway program to connect victim-survivors with case management services following DFV report to police, including risk assessment, safety planning, and referrals to other supports
- $54.0 million for the Staying Home Leaving Violence program to remove PUV from the home, allowing victim-survivors (typically adult women and children) to stay home, connected to social and community supports.
- $17.5 million to support the DV Response Enhancement program for after-hours assistance to victim-survivors
- $17.2 million for the Specialist workers for Children and Young People program who provide support and trauma-informed services for children and young people escaping violence to be seen as victims in their own right.
- $6.3 million for:
- CARAS
- Implementation of NSW Aboriginal DFSV Plan
- NSW Aboriginal Court Support Program
- $6.5 million to expand video court facilities, including establishing a Remote Witness Hub in 2026-27 in Sydney’s CBD to prevent impacts of justice system traumatisation associated with court appearances.
The Men’s Referral Service provides counselling and referrals for men who are concerned about their behaviour: 1300 766 491