Domestic and family violence services across NSW will receive more than $40 million over four years to help women and children remain safely in their homes rather than being displaced by an abusive partner.
All 52 providers delivering the Staying Home Leaving Violence program will receive a 50 per cent increase in core funding, with the first payments due this financial year.
The funding forms part of a $184.1 million increase for specialist domestic and family violence services included in the NSW government’s 2026-27 Budget.
Staying Home Leaving Violence supported more than 9,200 victim-survivors last financial year, including 2,399 children who had experienced abuse.
The program provides safety planning, home security upgrades, case management, support for children and assistance with legal processes. Providers work with NSW Police and local courts to help survivors remain at home when it is considered safe.
Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said services needed greater capacity to respond to demand.
“The Minns Labor Government is working to stabilise the frontline domestic and family violence sector so that it has the capability to meet growing demand, and victim-survivors can access timely life-saving support when they need it,” Harrison said.
“The Staying Home Leaving Violence program is a vital part of our crisis response, allowing women and children to stay safely in their own homes, close to their support networks. This supports their healing and recovery as they rebuild their lives after violence.”
The program now operates across all 128 NSW local government areas following a $25.9 million expansion in the 2024-25 Budget. That funding established 15 services to address gaps in regional communities and parts of metropolitan NSW.
An independent evaluation completed in 2022 found the program improved the long-term safety and housing stability of women and families, as well as the wellbeing of women and children affected by domestic and family violence.
Harrison said pressure on providers had continued to increase.
“We know the domestic and family violence services have been under pressure, and this funding increase means services can support more people and continue providing the quality tailored support that victim-survivors need,” she said.
Domestic Violence NSW chief executive Delia Donovan welcomed the increase, saying it recognised the role of specialist services in keeping survivors connected to their communities.
“This is a vital and welcome investment in specialist domestic and family violence services, and recognition of the critical role Staying Home Leaving Violence plays in supporting women and children to remain connected to their homes, schools, workplaces and communities where it is safe to do so,” Donovan said.
“As the peak body for specialist domestic and family violence services across the state, Domestic Violence NSW has consistently advocated alongside our members for greater investment in frontline services. It’s encouraging to see the NSW Government responding to these calls and investing in the capacity of services to meet growing demand.”
Five other specialist programs are also due to receive a 50 per cent funding increase over the next four years. They include the Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Service, Safer Pathways, Specialist Workers for Children and Young People, Men’s Behaviour Change Programs and the Domestic Violence Response Enhancement program.
Funding for those services will be introduced progressively.
Donovan said consultation would be needed as the remaining money was distributed.
“As the broader investment is rolled out, it will be important to continue working closely with the sector and the NSW Government to ensure services have the resources they need, now and into the future, to meet demand and ensure the best possible outcomes for victim-survivors,” she said.
“We look forward to continuing to work constructively with NSW Government, our members and the broader sector to build on this investment and ensure sustainable support across the NSW domestic and family violence service system.”
Anyone in immediate danger should call Triple Zero. Confidential support is available through 1800RESPECT or 13YARN. The NSW Domestic Violence Line can be reached on 1800 65 64 63, while the Sexual Violence Helpline is available on 1800 424 017.
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