Despite rising rates of family and gender-based violence across the nation, limited funding to prevent and respond to the crisis was announced in last night's 2026-27 Federal Budget.
Safe and Equal recognises the Commonwealth Government's commitment to ending family and gender-based violence and its overall investment to date. Disappointingly, the investment outlined in this year's Budget does not come close to addressing the scale of family violence we are seeing in Australia.
Safe and Equal has concerns that cuts to the NDIS and insufficient focus on increasing social housing stock will disproportionately impact family violence victim survivors, as many are dependent on these universal systems to escape and recover from abuse.
"The Government had a tough job. It's a tough economic environment, and the Budget reflects that," said Christine Mathieson, Interim CEO at Safe and Equal.
"But if we don't invest in stopping this violence before it starts and responding to those who are in crisis, it will end up costing the economy more and – most importantly – it will end up costing more lives."
While new investment in preventing and responding to family violence is limited, there are several welcome commitments, including:
$218.3 million over five years from 2025-26 for a package of initial actions under the first dedicated standalone Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander plan for family safety, Our Ways – Strong Ways – Our Voices.
An investment of $182.6 million to prevent systems abuse through misuse of the Child Support Scheme and financial abuse through other government systems.
$59.4 million to help Community Housing Providers provide social housing for over 4,000 young people aged 16-24 who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
The Budget also outlines several initiatives to improve access to support for victim survivors and to better support workers in frontline services. However, the continued funding for the 500 Workers Initiative will do little to address skyrocketing demand for family violence support.
"Frontline workforces all over the nation are buckling under the strain of demand. They're being asked to do more with less," said Ms Mathieson.
"The best way to support them is through job security – and that can only come through increased and secure funding for specialist family violence services."
The ongoing focus on primary prevention and early intervention in the budget is also welcome, building on existing work across the country. Expanding the engagement of men and boys in prevention initiatives and addressing new challenges posed by technology are critical.
Safe and Equal looks forward to engaging with the Commonwealth Government as part of the planned consultation to develop the Second Action Plan for the National Plan this year.
"Our services are relying on being heard, and we want to ensure the Action Plan reflects the on-the-ground expertise and practice leadership of both the prevention and response workforces in Victoria," said Ms Mathieson.
"Family violence isn't inevitable – but it will remain so unless our leaders make difficult choices, take bold action and prioritise change."
"On behalf of the specialist family violence sector, I want to say to the Commonwealth Government: we're ready and waiting to take those steps. But we can't do it without your support."
About us:
About Safe and Equal:
Safe and Equal is Victoria's peak body for organisations that specialise in family and gender-based violence across the continuum, including primary prevention, early intervention, response and recovery. We are an independent, non-government organisation.
