Activity details
On 6 September 2024, National Cabinet committed $60.1 million over 6 years from 2024-25 to extend and enhance current funding arrangements for Specialised Family Violence Services (SFVS). This included a commitment to expand and extend funding to Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to provide culturally safe child-centred support available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people and their families under SFVS.
SFVS delivers specialised services that support children, families, individuals and couples who are experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, family and domestic violence. SFVS aims to support families, improve children's wellbeing, increase participation of vulnerable people in community life and enhance family and community functioning.
SFVS offer a range of services, including Children Specific Counselling, family capacity building, counselling and education sessions, with some providers offering Men's Behaviour Change Programs.
Implementation progress update
The Department of Social Services is in the early stages of consultation with stakeholders, including the Early Childhood Care and Development Policy Partnership co-secretariat and SNAICC – National Voice for our Children. A stakeholder engagement plan is being developed to ensure ACCOs, peak organisations and communities contribute to the design and national awareness of the new services.
On 25 March 2025, variations to grants were executed to provide top-up funding to the existing 4 ACCOs delivering SFVS from 2024-25.
On 21 March 2025, variations to grants were executed to provide top-up funding to 8 Relationships Australia organisations from 2024-25. These organisations provide Children Specific Counselling services under SFVS, which supports children as victims in their own right and aims to place children at the centre of the service provision.
More information
- Learn about the National Plan to End Violence against women and children 2022-2032.
- Read the First Action Plan 2023-2027.
- Browse the First Action Plan 2023-2027 Activities Addendum update.