Leaving Violence Program
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
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:
- Broome, Western Australia – Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical(Opens external website)
- Cairns, Queensland – Remote Area Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Child Care(Opens external website)
- Darwin, Northern Territory – North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Services(Opens external website)
- Dubbo, New South Wales – Bunmabunmarra Service(Opens external website).
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:
- Call: 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 – 24 hours, 7 days a week
- Text: 0458 737 732 – 24 hours, 7 days a week
- Online chat: visit 1800RESPECT(Opens external website) – 24 hours, 7 days a week
- Video call: visit the 1800RESPECT(Opens external website) website – 24 hours, 7 days a week. No appointment needed.