Visa holders consistently report significantly higher levels of family and domestic violence than Australian citizens and permanent residents. With around 1 in 3 migrant women experiencing some sort of violence in their lives, it is clear that visa holders face specific challenges in accessing support services in Australia. To address this, the Australian Government has implemented several programs and services that provide financial support for visa holders leaving violent relationships. This includes the Escaping Violence Payment Program, the Australian Red Cross Family and Domestic Violence Financial Assistance Program, and the Victims Support Scheme. In this blog, these initiatives are explored in detail, as well as other support services that visa holders can access when escaping violence in Australia.
Set up by the Australian Government and run by the UnitingCare Network, the EVP Program provides financial assistance and confidential support for people who have recently left or are planning to leave a violent relationship. It aims to help individuals move forward and set up their own homes free of violence. Applicants could be eligible for up to $5,000 in financial assistance, which includes:
The EVP Program is available for Australian citizens and permanent residents, as well as holders of protected special category visas living in Australia. To access this service, you must be at least 18 years of age and have not accessed the EVP Program within the last 12 months. Additionally, the following criteria must be met:
Recently, the Australian Government extended the EVP Program until the 30th of June 2025.
The Australian Government has invested $6.5 million to provide financial assistance for visa holders who are experiencing family or domestic violence. As a part of this, the Australian Red Cross FDV Financial Assistance Program was established to provide exclusive support for those on temporary visas or with uncertain visa status. The program supports applicants with:
To apply, you will need to check your eligibility online and obtain evidence of the following:
If you are uncertain or cannot produce the above documents, you can still apply. After you submit your application, the Australian Red Cross will contact you to discuss it.
The Victims Support Scheme is a NSW Government initiative that supports victims of violence and their recovery. It involves a package of practical and financial assistance, including:
The above support is available for anyone who has been injured due to a violent crime in NSW, such as:
In addition to the above financial support for visa holders, there are a number of free services available for those affected by violence, including:
Visa holders often face additional barriers when escaping violence, such as being forced to choose between their safety or financial security. Fortunately, there are many ways in which victims of any form of violence can access financial support in Australia, regardless of their visa status. If you have any questions about the information in this blog, contact us at AustraliaMigrate.
Visa holders consistently report significantly higher levels of family and domestic violence than Australian citizens and permanent residents. With around 1 in 3 migrant women experiencing some sort of violence …
Continue reading “Financial Support for Visa Holders Experiencing Violence”
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