Brokerage
Brokerage options and other funds for those experiencing family violence in the northern metropolitan region.
Centrelink’s Crisis Payment
For victims of family violence, a one-off payment equal to a week’s payment at a person’s existing income support payment rate. The Crisis Payment does not include extra allowances or supplements.
Family Violence Flexible Support Packages
Family Violence Flexible Support Packages (FVFSP) are distributed across the northern region by Anglicare Victoria (North East Metropolitan Area) and Uniting (Hume Merri-bek Area).
Anglicare and Uniting receive funding to provide FVFSPs for victim survivors. Both services each have funding to deliver around 500 packages in their respective areas (at an average of $3,400) in accordance with guidelines. Find the FSV/DFFH guidelines here.
From 1 January 2022, all applications will need to be made through the online portal. Contact the relevant agency regarding accessing the portal.
Anglicare Victoria – Banyule, Darebin, Nillumbik, Whittlesea and Yarra
Download the Anglicare Victoria guidelines. For queries about how to access the portal contact the Anglicare FVFSP Coordinator on 8470 9999 or email Anglicare Victoria.
Uniting – Hume and Merri-bek
Download the Uniting guidelines. For queries, including how to access the link to the online application submission, contact the Uniting FV FSP Coordinator on 9302 6100 or email hmfvfsp@vt.uniting.org
inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence
inTouch is funded to provide flexible support packages to CALD women across Victoria. Where an agency is unable to access flexible support packages through Uniting or Anglicare, inTouch will consider an application for CALD women.
Thorne Harbour Health
Thorne Harbour Health is funded to provide flexible support packages to members of the LGBTI community who are seeking to leave or have recently left intimate partner or family violence circumstances.
Other Brokerage
A number of other services in the NMR have limited brokerage as part of their service offerings. Brokerage is often aimed at clients of these services.
Safer in the Home
The Safer in the Home Program provides support for women and children experiencing family violence to stay in their housing, when it is safe to do so. Limited brokerage can be used to increase the security of properties.
Safer in the Home programs are available through Berry Street NFDVS, The Salvation Army and Georgina Martina Inc.
Victims Assistance Program
The Victims Assistance Program provides brokerage for victims of crime, including victims of family violence. Brokerage is generally used for clients of the service, with a focus on recovery from the crime, but the service will consider partnering with other organisations in relation to brokerage costs.
Homeless Children’s Brokerage
The Statewide Children’s Resource Program has brokerage available to support children (0-18) who have experienced homelessness and family violence. It can be used in relation to engaging and maintaining education, reducing social isolation or providing social and emotional growth opportunities. To apply in the northern metropolitan region call 9359 5493.
Integrated Family Service Flexible Support Packages
Family Services provide Integrated Family Service Flexible Support Packages for family services clients. The packages are used for a variety of purposes, not only family violence, and tend to focus on the whole family.
Disability Family Violence Crisis Response Initiative
Safe Steps facilitate the Disability Family Violence Crisis Response Initiative. This initiative supports victim survivors of family violence living with a disability, or who have disability needs, including temporary conditions and conditions due to family violence. Carers and parents of a child with a disability can also access support.
Professionals can contact Safe Steps Specialist Family Violence Disability Liaison Officers via disability@safesteps.org.au to access brokerage assistance for their clients, as well as secondary consultations and information regarding the initiative.
Family Violence Housing Brokerage
The Family Violence Housing Brokerage Project provides intensive support for victim survivors in the Whittlesea LGA to access/maintain private rental housing, through case management support. Additionally, women can access a no interest loan for support with rent in advance, bond, removalists and whitegoods. Contact Deepty Cusima on dcusima@whittleseacc.org.au.
Other Financial Assistance
Centrelink Crisis Payment
Centrelink’s Crisis Payment is for victims of family violence, and is a one-off payment equal to a week’s payment at a person’s existing income support payment rate. The Crisis Payment does not include extra allowances or supplements.
Housing Establishment Fund and Private Rental Brokerage
- Housing Establishment Fund (HEF)
The Housing Establishment Fund assists individuals to access and /or to maintain private rental housing, or to access emergency short-term (usually overnight) accommodation for people in crisis who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. - Private Rental Brokerage
Private Rental Brokerage is a grant program to assist households to establish or re-establish in the private rental market.
For information about HEF and Private Rental Brokerage contact one of the following Homelessness Access Points: Haven; Home, Safe, Launch Housing or Vincent Care.
Escaping Violence Payment
The Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) Program is available for people 18+ who have recently experienced family violence, have a changed living situation and are experiencing financial stress. UnitingCare Australia delivers this program.
Assistance can include up to $5000 in financial assistance such as vouchers for essential items; goods and services such as removalists, bonds or basics for a new home and wrap-around support including casework from the EVP provider.
Australian Red Cross Family and Domestic Violence Financial Assistance
Through this Red Cross program, financial assistance and short-term casework is available to people:
- on temporary visas, or with uncertain visa status, who are living in Australia, and,
- experiencing family or domestic violence, and,
- experiencing financial hardship.
Referrals can be made via this form. For queries and assistance email NAT_FDV_PILOT@redcross.org.au.
Material aid
Specific material relief and housing services can be found in this online Community Service Directory.
Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT)
VOCAT provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime committed in Victoria. VOCAT assists victims to recover by providing financial assistance for expenses incurred, or reasonably likely to be incurred, as a direct result of the crime.
For more urgent needs, an application for interim financial assistance (generally medical, counselling or funeral expenses) can be made prior to the final determination of an application for financial assistance.
Family Violence Scheme – Fines Victoria
The Family Violence Scheme supports people affected by family violence.The scheme allows people to apply to have their infringement fines withdrawn if family violence substantially contributed to the offence or it is not safe for them to name the responsible person.
Find further information about the Family Violence Scheme. Ph: 1300 019 983.
