The Minns Labor Government is continuing work to build a safer New South Wales for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence by strengthening the workforce and sector that provides them with crucial support.
The work our domestic and family violence specialist workers do is incredibly challenging, so it's vital that they feel supported at work through better training, supervision and career opportunities, to avoid burnout.
A strong and robust workforce will be able to continue to provide the best care and support to victim-survivors.
Launching today, "Strengthening the NSW Domestic and Family Violence Sector: Workforce Development Strategy 2025-2035" lays the foundation for long-term reform of the NSW domestic and family violence sector, to support the recruitment and retention of highly skilled workers who help victim-survivors stay safe, heal and recover.
It includes actions such as prioritising workplace safety, health and wellbeing, improving workforce recruitment and renewal, driving workforce diversity, boosting collaboration and supporting skill and capability development.
Backed by $2.5 million in the 2025/26 Budget, this will allow us to begin critical work to make sure workers have access to high-quality supervision, recognise the value of lived experience in the workforce, and investigate models for student recruitment into the sector.
The Strategy was developed in consultation with over 100 organisations in the domestic and family violence sector, including Domestic Violence NSW, Women's Legal Services, No to Violence, Aboriginal Women's Advisory Network, and many others.
It is underpinned by significant research and evidence, including an extensive survey of the domestic and family violence specialist workforce.
This is part of the government's wider effort to secure the future of our domestic and family frontline services, which includes moving to 5-year contracts for most services in the domestic and family violence sector, giving them funding certainty to attract and retain workers.
The specialist domestic and family violence workforce is a vital part of the work the Minns Government is doing to help victim-survivors escape violence and rebuild their lives. They are the frontline workers who provide supports including through the Staying Home Leaving Violence program, Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service, Safety Action Meetings and other casework.
The Strategy will help build the sustainability, capacity and capability of the sector, so workers can better support victim survivors, and enhance responses for people using violence.
This is in addition to funding to expand critical support services such as Staying Home Leaving Violence, strengthening our laws to protect victim-survivors and rolling out New South Wales's first dedicated primary prevention strategy to stop the violence before it starts.
To learn more about the Workforce Strategy, go to: https://dcjnsw.info/DFV_WorkforceStrategy
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:
"Eliminating domestic and family violence is a priority for the NSW Government, and we need to do everything we can to support the workforce that is committed to achieving this goal.
"This is long-term work that has been neglected and that the sector has been crying out for.
"Domestic and family violence specialist frontline workers who provide vital support for victim-survivors of abusive relationships are passionate about their work, have deep empathy for the people they work with, and are committed to ending domestic and family violence.
"That is why we must support them. This Strategy is the first step, setting out a 10-year roadmap for us to create a stronger, more robust workforce that feels supported and can attract new people to it.
"A strong and connected workforce will continue to respond to and create safety for families escaping violence."
NSW Women's Safety Commissioner Dr Hannah Tonkin said:
"Improving responses to domestic and family violence requires a specialist workforce that is well equipped, connected and supported to do this critical work. The specialist sector in NSW has incredible expertise and commitment, but many workers are overstretched and burdened by stress, burnout and vicarious trauma.
"This new workforce strategy has the potential to offer meaningful support to these vital frontline workers and better protect their health and welfare, while also improving their training and career opportunities and increasing pathways into the sector.
"I'm pleased to see the announcement of the workforce strategy and look forward to seeing it implemented across the state."
Acting CEO Domestic Violence NSW Carolyn Hodge said:
"The specialist domestic and family violence workforce delivers complex, life-saving support to victim-survivors across NSW every day.
"This Strategy is an important opportunity to strengthen and expand this essential workforce, delivering better outcomes for people, families, and communities.
"In implementing this Strategy, we'll be looking to ensure it's backed by the sustained funding and resourcing needed to meet its objectives and ultimately enhance NSW's response to ending domestic and family violence."
The Adira Centre Casework Lead Dilini De Silva said:
"Domestic, family and sexual violence practitioners drive positive safety outcomes but need to be supported with the same dignity and recognition they offer victim-survivors.
"The new Strategy provides critical opportunities to build, enable and sustain a domestic, family and sexual violence workforce that reflects the diversity of the NSW community and is supported with the skills, knowledge and resources to provide culturally responsive care to improve equity of access and outcomes for all."
Liberty Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services People and Culture Manager Brooke Maggs said:
"This is a positive step to strengthen the domestic and family violence workforce and ensure long-term sustainability.
"The strategy creates a clear roadmap for building and investing in a workforce that is recognised for their expertise and better supported to respond to increasing demand for services."
Support:
If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, call the Police on Triple Zero / 000.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, call the NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 65 64 63 for free counselling and referrals, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
For confidential advice, support, and referrals, contact 1800 RESPECT or 13 YARN.
