Leaving Violence Program

Supporting victim-survivors to make choices about leaving violent intimate partner relationships.

About the Leaving Violence Program

The Leaving Violence Program starts on 1 July 2025. It will support eligible victim-survivors leaving violent intimate partner relationships.

The Leaving Violence Program is not a crisis support service.

The program is delivered in 2 ways:

  • a national program delivered by a national provider
  • regional trials in 4 regions across Australia, delivered by First Nations-led organisations.

Eligible victim-survivors can get up to $5,000 in financial support, including up to $1,500 in cash and the remaining funds in goods and services. Other supports include safety planning, risk assessment and referrals to other services for up to 12 weeks. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for support through the Leaving Violence Program, a person must:

  • be a victim-survivor of intimate partner violence
  • have left or have a plan to leave an intimate partner violence relationship
  • be aged 18 years or older
  • be residing in Australia as an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or temporary visa holder
  • be experiencing financial stress
  • not have received the payment in the past 12 months through the Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) trial, Temporary Visa Holders Experiencing Violence Pilot (TVP), the national program or the regional trials 

and have either:

  • changed living arrangements in the past 12 weeks as a result of the intimate partner violence (including if the person using violence has left the home)

or

  • plan to change living arrangements, including when the change will occur.

Support is available to victim-survivors of any gender, sexuality or visa status.

In June 2025, the Department held information sessions on the Leaving Violence Program. 

A recording of the Wednesday 18 June 2025 session is available for viewing below.


Following on from the session the Department has developed a Frequently Asked Questions document from the information sessions.

Leaving Violence Program Frequently Asked Questions

Leaving Violence program FAQs thumbnail
The questions in this document have been submitted to the department from the Leaving Violence Program information sessions held in June 2025. These sessions were delivered by the Department of social Services and Telstra Health as the National Program, Service Provider.
Access this resource
Leaving Violence program FAQs thumbnail

Delivering the national program 

Telstra Health delivers the Leaving Violence Program nationally.

They will deliver the program to eligible victim-survivors in all Australian states and territories. This includes rural, regional and remote areas. It also includes Norfolk Island, Jervis Bay Territory, Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands.

Operating hours are between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm. If you are immediate danger, call 000.

Delivering regional trials 

There are 4 locations involved in the regional trials. Victim-survivors in any of these locations can choose support through either the national program or their local regional trial provider. 

Regional trial locations and providers:

The regional trials focus on offering specialised and culturally appropriate support in the local region. They will help to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander victim-survivors. 

The regional trials will provide face-to-face services. Providers are able to go into community to offer support. 

Related programs that have ended

The Escaping Violence Payment trial

The Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) trial stopped taking applications on 30 June 2025. 

If you applied for support through the EVP trial before 30 June 2025 11:59pm (AWST) this support will continue. You do not need to apply for the Leaving Violence Program. 

Temporary Visa Holders Experiencing Violence Pilot

The Temporary Visa Holders Experiencing Violence Pilot (TVP) stopped taking applications on 30 June 2025. 

If you applied for financial support through the TVP before 30 June 2025 11:59pm (AWST) you will continue to receive support. You do not need to apply for the Leaving Violence Program. 

If you are a victim-survivor on a temporary visa, speak with your current TVP legal service providers to understand your support options from 1 July 2025.

More information

Learn about other programs we provide at safety programs, prevention and evidence(Opens external website)For help in other languages call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450

If you are concerned about your behaviour or use of violence, the Men’s Referral Service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:

Feeling worried or no good? No shame, no judgement, safe place to yarn. To speak to a 13YARN Crisis Supporter call 13 92 76. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service.

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence, you can:

  • Print
  • Email

Was this page helpful?

Your feedback has been successfully submitted.
Thank you for providing feedback. Help us improve by telling us what you think.
DSS2511 | Permalink: www.dss.gov.au/node/2511