Following National Cabinet today, the Commonwealth Government has made $4.4 billion in further commitments to deliver a new National Access to Justice Partnership and progress our shared goals under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032.

The funding boost builds on the $3.4 billion of investments, and 85 funded initiatives, made since 2022.

Investments following National Cabinet include:

• Invest $351 million over five years from 2025-26 for funding under a renewed, five year National Partnership Agreement on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses frontline services, to be matched by states and territories;
• Enhance and expand child-centric trauma-informed supports for children and young people who have witnessed or experienced family, domestic and sexual violence through investment of $80million across a range of programs and initiatives; and
• Lead the development of national, evidence-based standards for men’s behaviour change programs.

The funding under a renewed, five year National Partnership Agreement on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence Responses frontline services will drive progress on Commonwealth, state and territory actions under both of the Action Plans that underpin the National Plan, and also respond to recommendations relating to front-line service delivery from the Rapid Review of Prevention Approaches.

Funding will be directed to specialist services for women, services designed to break the intergenerational transmission of violence and programs that work with men – including men’s behaviour change.

Ensuring children who witness and experience family, domestic and sexual violence are appropriately supported, the Government will deliver an $80 million package including:

• A comprehensive consultation process to inform the design and implementation of new and revised initiatives to support children and young people, including a specific focus on First Nations children and young people;
• Expansion of components of the Specialised Family Violence Service to bolster child-centric and culturally safe services;
• Funding to  specialist and community support services, including Aboriginal Controlled-Community Organisations and rural and regional services, to expand social, therapeutic, legal and other support services provided to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and children at risk of or engaging in harmful sexual behaviour;
• Funding to expand and extend funding to Aboriginal Controlled-Community Organisations to provide culturally safe child-centred support available to First Nations children and young people and their families under Specialised Family Violence Services; and
• Funding to expand the Supporting Children After Separation Program to provide specialised, longer-term support for children of separated families who are already engaged in counselling support, to avoid needing to transfer those cases to a Specialised Family Violence Service.

The Government will also develop of national, evidence-based standards for men’s behaviour change programs and associated implementation mechanisms to ensure these interventions meet consistent best practice requirements.

The national standards will help ensure the existing service system which works with men who are using or at risk of using violence can have more success in their programs.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth said the Government was focused on working towards the shared goal with states and territories to end violence against women and children in one generation.

“The safety of women and children experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence is a national priority for our Government and it has been something we have consistently worked on since we were elected,” Minister Rishworth said.

“We know we cannot address this issue alone – it requires all governments, Commonwealth, state and territory – to work together along with businesses, communities and individuals.

“We all have a role to play, and these additional investments are about continuing to build on our significant efforts to date.”

Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence Justine Elliot said the Albanese Government continues to place women’s safety at the forefront of the national agenda.  

“Our commitment to the change that is needed takes serious action, investment and coordination across the country,” Assistant Minister Elliot said.

“Today is another example of listening to the voices of lived-experience, frontline workers and experts to deliver a critical package of funding that further bolsters our record investment.”

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.

If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, you can contact the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491 or visit http://www.ntv.org.au.

Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. Speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter, call 13 92 76. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.