The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its commitment to keep communities safe across NSW with record funding to protect our most vulnerable children and new investments to improve access to justice, address violence against women and children, and bolster the safety of people in their communities and online.
A landmark $1.2 billion child protection package cements our commitment to protect the state's most vulnerable children.
For the first time in 20 years, the Foster Carer Allowance will be substantially increased to recognise the critical work foster carers do to keep children safe across NSW.
The tax-free allowance will rise by 20 per cent, delivering the carer of a typical 14-year-old an additional $176 per fortnight.
We are investing a record $1 billion to rebuild the out-of-home care system, providing support to vulnerable children while we reform a neglected system. That includes 44 new purpose-built or upgraded homes, building on the work we have already done to keep at risk children from living in hotels and motels.
In addition, we are recruiting and retaining case workers with higher pay and more specialised training.
The 2025-26 Budget invests more than $650 million to support victim-survivors and provide better access to justice across NSW. This investment builds on a $6.1 billion social housing injection in our second budget, which included historic funding for new social housing that prioritises women and children fleeing domestic and family violence, as well as $527.6 million for homelessness services.
This year's Budget includes $272.7 million for domestic, family and sexual violence services working to support victim-survivors and reduce violence against women and children. Of this, $11.2 million will go towards long-term reform to build a more sustainable system so we can intervene earlier and continue doing the crucial work of helping victim-survivors.
A further $49.4 million will fund a trauma-informed hub to support victim-survivors, including those who have experienced domestic, family and sexual violence, who are participating in legal proceedings.
We are also addressing the increase in demand for the Victims Support Scheme, with $226.8 million to ensure continued access to counselling and financial support.
We are enabling better access to justice with $34.5 million for five additional courtrooms and 10 new virtually-enabled courtrooms to be added in Sydney's CBD. Plus, $61.1 million in new funding to bolster the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Child Sexual Offence Evidence Program, and an additional $6.7 million to prosecute industrial manslaughter. This boost will allow the DPP to hire additional staff including prosecutors, solicitors and witness assistance officers.
Community safety is a top priority of the Government and our tough new domestic violence bail laws have seen record numbers of alleged offenders held on remand.
In response, the budget provides an additional $100.5 million to ensure Corrective Services NSW is resourced to supervise offenders, while supporting rehabilitation and integration in line with community expectations.
We are also investing in crime prevention with $5.5 million in early intervention and diversion programs for young people in contact with criminal justice system.
At the same time, we are delivering critical upgrades for NSW Police. These include upgraded surveillance systems to support major investigations and more than $100 million to fund cutting-edge digital policing technology and resources. A new Patrol Vessel (the Nemesis) that provides Police the ability to conduct extended offshore operations including search and rescue, maritime and counter-terror protection that targets maritime crime and illegal drug importation, is also being funded.
This Budget builds on our historic investment in NSW Police, including a once in a generation pay increase and the decision to pay recruits to train, which has seen applications to join the NSW Police surge by 70 per cent.
We are also increasing our investment in keeping NSW safe online. $175.1 million will support cyber security across government agencies to prevent, detect, and when needed, recover from cyber incidents.
The Minns Labor Government is building a better NSW by investing in the safety of our communities and the protection of our most vulnerable people.
