Financing Domestic Violence Initiatives in Australia

This case study is a technical report that analyzes the Commonwealth Government's budget documents from 2010-2011 to 2023-2024, focusing on the financing of domestic, family, and sexual violence (DFSV) initiatives in Australia. It highlights the significant increase in budget expenditure on DFSV, which rose from between $0 and $4.5 million annually between 2010 and 2014 to $644 million by 2023. The report outlines how the government's financing priorities have evolved from primarily crisis response to a more comprehensive approach that includes prevention, early intervention, and systemic reforms. The study also discusses the limitations of the analysis, including potential inaccuracies due to multi-year budget announcements and the exclusion of State and Territory Government financing. Recommendations for improving tracking and transparency of DFSV investments are provided, emphasizing the need for mandatory budget lines and a framework linking financing to qualitative objectives under the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032.