Funding & Material Aid Options
Family Violence Flexible Support Packages
Agency: Centre Against Violence
Description: Flexible Support Packages (FSP) aim to deliver personalised and holistic responses to assist adult and child victim survivors experiencing family violence to transition from crisis and establish long-term sustainable arrangements to improve their safety, wellbeing, and independence in recovery from family violence. Individualised packages provide flexible brokerage to victim survivors to purchase a range of tailored and practical supports based on their case management/support plan.
This may include counselling, wellbeing costs, education, employment related costs, financial counselling, transport, housing
stability and establishment costs, and other practical or material needs.
Contact
Telephone: 03 5722 2203
Email: fvfsp@cav.org.au
Agency: Rumbalara Aborigincal Co-Operative
Description: Flexible support package with Rumbalara Aborigincal
Co-Operative. Flexible Support Packages (FSP) respond to Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander victims/survivors experiencing family violence by assisting them to stabilise and improve their safety in a crisis or
post-crisis situation.
Contact
Telephone: 03 5820 0000
Email: admin@raclimited.com.au
Agency: inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence
Description: Flexible support package with inTouch Multicultural Centre
Against Family Violence inTouch is funded to provide flexible support packages to Culturally And Linguistically Diverse women across Victoria. Where an agency is unable to access flexible support packages, inTouch will consider an application for CALD women.
Contact
Telephone: 03 9413 6500
Agency: Thorne Harbour Health
Description: 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.
Contact
Telephone: 03 9865 6700
Family Services Flexible Funding Packages
Agency: Upper Murray Family Care
Description: Flexible funding Packages for family services enables families to make positive and enduring change that will increase parenting capacity, improve family functioning and promote the safety, wellbeing and development of their children and young people.
Flexible funding provides practical support and services to minimise children, young people and families requiring more intensive intervention. Allocation of flexible funding must be prioritised based on an assessment of greatest need and anticipated positive impacts on children’s safety, stability and development.
Contact
Telephone: 03 6055 8000
Personal Safety Initiative
Agency: Centre Against Violence
Description: The purpose of the Personal Safety Initiative is to utilise safety and security responses, including property modifications and technology to:
-enable victim survivors of family violence to remain safely in, or return safely to their own homes and communities, or relate to a new home
-Increase safety and feelings of safety for victim survivors
In addition to:
-Deter breaches of Family Violence Intervention Orders (FVIOs)
-Facilitate the collection of admissible evidence where breaches occur to hold perpetrators accountable for their use of violence
Contact
Telephone: 03 5722 2203
Email: psi@cav.org.au
Homeless Children's Brokerage
Agency: Statewide Children’s Brokerage Program
Description: The Homeless Children’s Brokerage Program aims to enhance opportunities for children experiencing
homelessness and family violence to:
• Reduce social isolation through access to a range of support, social and recreational
opportunities
• Engage in social/emotional growth opportunities and increase relational bonds with parents or
carers
• Maintain education, including early education services such as childcare and kindergarten
• Encourage access to preventative health and dental services
Funds are for accompanying, dependent children aged 0-18 years of current clients of homelessness and
family violence funded support services receiving case management.
Funds are limited to grants of $400 per financial year and may be taken in a lump sum or a number of
applications.
Contact
Telephone: 0456 703 505
Email: SCRPNorthEast@junction.org.au
Other Funding
No Interest Loans (NILS)
Agency: The Women’s Centre
Description: The NILs program provides interest-free loans to individuals for essential goods and services, promoting financial stability and community support.
Loan Amounts:
- Up to $2000: For essential items such as appliances, furniture, car repairs, education fees, and wellbeing-related goods and services.
- Up to $3000: For housing-related expenses or recovery from natural disasters.
Repayment Terms: Borrowers repay only the principal amount, with no additional fees or interest.
Operational Mechanism:
- Direct Vendor Payments: Loans are disbursed directly to vendors for the purchase of essential goods and services. Loans cannot be used for cash, bill payments, or debt consolidation.
- Circular Community Credit: Repayments made by borrowers are recycled into the program, enabling other community members to access funds.
Contact
Telephone: 02 60 215773
Email: nils@womenscentre.org.au
Other Regions: The Good Shepherd website (www.goodshep.org.au) provides information on NILs providers in other areas.
Statewide Children’s Resource Program
Agency: Junction Support Services
Description: The Statewide Children’s Resource Program – The brokerage is for current dependant accompanying children of clients accessing Specialist Homelessness and Family Violence Services. The funds can be used for education, recreation, engaging in specialist services and promoting a sense of connectedness to their peers and the broader community.
Contact
Telephone: 02 6043 7400
Email: SCRPNorthEast@junction.org.au.
Website: Statewide Children’s Resource Program – Junction Support Services
Victims Assistance Program
Agency: Victims Assistance Program
Description: 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.
Contact
Telephone: 1800 819 817
Disability Family Violence Crisis Response Initiative
Agency: Safe Steps
Description:
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 to access brokerage assistance for their clients, as well as secondary consultations and information regarding the initiative.
Contact
Telephone: 1800 015 188
Email: disability@safesteps.org.au
Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) program
Agency: Uniting
Description: The Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) program provides financial assistance and confidential support to individuals re-establishing safety after leaving a violent partner or after the partner has left or been removed from the home.
Eligible clients can receive up to $1500 in financial assistance (cash or cash equivalent) and additional support for goods and services, with a total combined value of up to $5000. This program aims to help individuals move forward and create a safe, violence-free home environment.
Contact
Telephone: 1800 387 387
Housing Establishment Fund
Agency: Beyond Housing
Description: 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.
Contact
Wodonga
Telephone: 02 6055 9000
Wangaratta
Telephone: 03 5722 8000
Crisis/after hours
Telephone: 1800 825 955
Website: Housing Establishment Fund – DFFH Service Providers
Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT)
Agency: Victims Of Crime Assistance Tribunal
Description: 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.
Contact
Telephone: 03 9651 7177
Email: admin@vocat.vic.gov.au
Family Violence Scheme, Fines Victoria
Agency: Fines Victoria
Description: 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.
Contact
Telephone: 1300 019 983
State Schools Relief Fund
Agency: Department of Education
Description:
State Schools’ Relief provides support to any Victorian student attending a government school (primary, secondary or specialist), on the advice of the school. Schools are able to submit an application directly, via the SSR online portal, whenever they believe there is a need to support a student whose family/carers are facing difficulty in providing the appropriate uniform, footwear or educational items for attending school.
Situations include, but are not limited to:
- Unemployment
- Health issues/illness
- Financial difficulties
- Independent living and/or homelessness
- Natural disasters, house fires
- Bereavement
- Domestic violence
Contact
Website: Schools – State Schools’ Relief
Friends with Dignity Australia
Agency: Friends with Dignity
Description:
Friends with Dignity – Bi-Annual monetary scholarships offer academic and extra-curricular assistance to children affected by domestic violence. for costs associated with school (Please check application period.
Contact
Telephone: 0491 797 973
The Queens Fund
Agency: The Queens Fund
Description: Short-term emergency relief to alleviate immediate financial crises with rent, medical and household expenses. Educational grants to increase access to educational opportunities. Grants which give women a chance to rebuild their lives and nurture their children.
Contact
Website: HOME | The Queen’s Fund
Email: enquiries@queensfund.org.au
Walter and Eliza Hall Trust
Agency: Walter & Eliza Hall Trust
Description: Walter and Eliza Hall Trust Providing funds to assist individuals experiencing financial disadvantage particularly those with a physical disability.
Applications are submitted by a Social Worker, Case Manager, Occupational Therapist or employed professional of the supporting charitable organisation.
Contact
Telephone: 02 9127 3395
Email: info@wehalltrust.org.au
Crisis Payment
Agency: Centrelink
Description: 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.
Contact
Website: Centrelink Crisis Payment
Get Active Victoria – Kids Voucher Program
Agency: Get Active Victoria
Description: The
Get Active Kids Voucher Program helps eligible families get their kids involved
in organised sport and recreation activities by reimbursing the cost of
membership and registration fees, uniforms and equipment. Eligible
children may be able to receive up to $200 each per round. Children must
be aged 0 to 18 and named on a valid and issued Health Care Card or Pensioner
Concession Card and Medicare card to be eligible.
Contact
Red Cross Family and Domestic Violence Financial Assistance Program
Agency: Australian Red Cross
Description: Australian Red Cross financial assistance program will
provide financial assistance and casework support to eligible people on temporary visas, or with uncertain visa status, experiencing family and domestic violence, and in need of financial support. The FDV Financial Assistance program can help you with payments of up to $3,000, referral to a specialist FDV agency or other services, and casework support for up to 3 months (upon assessment).
Contact
Website: Red Cross Family and Domestic Violence Financial Assistance Program
Victorian Government discounts
Agency: Victorian State Government
Description: Victorian Governments guide to discounts and services for eligible households.
Contact
Website: Victorian concessions, A guide to discounts and services for eligible households in Victoria
RecLink
Agency: RecLink Australia
Description: Reclink Australia provides and promotes sports, recreation and arts activities for communities facing disadvantage throughout Australia. We work in partnership with community support organisations to design and deliver activities that promote the opportunity for improved physical health, mental health and community inclusion.
Not-For-Profit agencies can become a member for $165 (incl GST) per annum, per LGA.
Individuals can join Club Reclink to access Reclink’s programs.
Memberships benefits include:
- Accessing sport and recreation activities on weekdays
- Accessing to gyms at 1/3 of the cost
- Networking with other organisations supporting people and communities facing disadvantage
- The opportunity to introduce new sport and recreation activities to your clients
- Assisting your clients to integrate into mainstream community activities through our activities
Website: Club Reclink
Edmund Rice Camp
Agency: Edmund Rice Foundation
Description: Youth camps Victoria: Edmund Rice Camps provide unique, holistic experiences for children, teens and families. ERC combine outdoor experiences with trauma-informed and strengths-based practice to build relationships and resilience through our 1:1 ratio of participants to young adult volunteers.
Each year ERC deliver a range of camps for Kids, Teens or Family Groups as well as offer opportunities for social service agencies to partner with ERC to deliver a tailored camp experience to their clients.
Contact
Telephone: 1300 240 041
Email: ercs@edmundrice.org
The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund
Agency: Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund
Description: The Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund provide payments for eligible students to attend camps, sports and excursions. Families holding a valid means-tested concession card or temporary foster parents are eligible to apply. $125 per year will be paid for eligible primary school students, with $225 per year paid for eligible secondary school students. Payments will go directly to the school and be tied to the student.
Contact
Telephone: 1800 060 970
Creating Connections Educational Employment Pathways
Agency: NESAY
Description:
For young people aged 16-25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and who are supported by Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) to access education and employment options.
Contact
Telephone: 03 5720 220
Email: Info@nesay.com.au
Artists for Kids Culture
Agency:
Description: Artists for Kids Culture provide funds for children aged from 5 years -18 years. Funds are provided for those experiencing hardship for: music, sport, art, cultural activities, camps and personal development. Scholarships are also available. Further info available here.
Contact
Telephone: 0423 225 182
Email: hello@akc.org.au
OPSM OneSight
Agency: OPSM
Description: OPSM offers sustainable access to vision care, provide free
eye exams and glasses for those most in need, fund local vision care programs
and raise awareness of poor vision among policy makers and at a community
level.
Contact
Contact manager of local OPSM.
Website: OneSight: Eye Care Charity | OPSM
Other Material Aid
Tots2teens
Agency: Tots 2 Teens
Description: General Care Packs Program:
- Packs (pregnant mums) Newborn Packs (birth to 6months)
- Baby / Toddler packs (6months to 3years)
- Childrens Pack (4years to 10years)
- Pre-teen and Teen packs (11years to 18years)
School Programs:-
- Toiletry packs for schools made up in pencil cases
- Care packs for school students referred by counsellor
- Birthday gifts
Care packs made up to reduce trauma
Contact
Email: tots2teensaw@hotmail.com
Website:Homepage – Tots2Teens Albury
Wodonga
Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation
Agency: Mungabareena Aboriginal Corporation
Description: Tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats. Poncho/raincoats, toiletries, food vouchers, clothing and shoe vouchers. · Packs (pregnant mums) Newborn Packs (birth to 6months) · Baby / Toddler packs (6months to 3years) · Childrens Pack (4years to 10years) · Pre-teen and Teen packs (11years to 18years) · Toiletry packs for schools made up in pencil cases · Care packs for school students referred by counsellor · Birthday gifts
Contact
Telephone: 02 6024 7599
Email: christian.corscadden@mungabareena.org.au