NSW Budget to strengthen justice system, support victim-survivors

Monday, 2 June 2025

The Minns Labor Government will invest half a billion dollars in additional funding as part of a justice system package, to support victim-survivors and build a safer NSW.

The 2025-26 Budget will include an additional $227 million over five years for the Victims’ Support Service.

The service helps victim-survivors of violent crime and family members of victims access counselling and financial assistance, including help with funeral expenses and medical expenses.

Sydney’s Downing Centre and John Madison Tower will also receive a refurbishment adding at least 15 new courtrooms in the CBD.

New vulnerable persons court hub to protect victim-survivors

This will include a new $49.4 million hub to support victim-survivors, for example those who have experienced sexual or family and domestic violence, to participate in legal proceedings.

Anticipated to be operating from late 2027, it will allow witnesses to give evidence remotely via video link and reduce trauma by saving victim-survivors from having to be in the same court complex and courtroom where they may encounter their perpetrator, for example women and children giving evidence against a domestic violence offender.

Witnesses and victims will be supported at the hub with services such counselling, legal aid, and financial advice.

A $34.5 million upgrade of the Downing Centre and John Madison Tower will allow for the creation of at least five new courtrooms.

At least 10 new virtual courtrooms will also be added, with audio-visual link facilities to support remote bail hearings.

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will also receive $48.3 million to fund additional solicitors, allowing for more prosecutions. 

Another $12.8 million will be used to help reduce stress and trauma for child complaints and witnesses in sexual offence proceedings.  This funding will support 15 staff within the Child Sexual Offence Evidence Program, allowing complainants and witnesses to pre-record their evidence and have it played later in court.

Keeping more accused offenders behind bars

The Government will provide Corrective Services NSW an additional $100.5 million to address rising demand in the correctional system.

Community safety is a top priority for the Government and our tough new domestic violence bail laws have seen record numbers of alleged offenders held on remand.

This funding will ensure Corrective Services NSW is resourced to supervise offenders and will support their rehabilitation and reintegration, in line with community expectations.

The funding package will also allow for the implementation of recent reforms to the NSW Victims Registers with $2.3 million in new funding.

These reforms will ensure that eligible victims of serious crimes receive a mandatory notification about their right to sign up to a Victims Register and receive critical information about an offender’s sentence or order, their location, and their parole eligibility.

Supporting victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence

The Government will provide a total of $272.7 million for our frontline domestic, family and sexual violence services as we continue our work of reducing violence against women and children.

This includes an investment of $9.3 million to implement the Serious Domestic Abuse Prevention Orders. These orders mean high-risk domestic violence offenders will be subject to strict monitoring and supervision, with courts able to impose any condition it considers appropriate.

The government is investing an additional $11.2 million to begin long-term reform to our systems that respond to family and domestic violence to make sure we can intervene earlier and build a stronger workforce to continue doing their crucial work. 

This system reform work includes:

• 5-year contracts for support services. For the first time, most support services in the domestic and family violence sector will have funding certainty, with the government fulfilling our election commitment to move towards providing five-year contracts.
• $3.6 million for a new Common Approach to Risk Assessment and Safety. This framework puts victim-survivor safety at the forefront, ensuring they receive a consistent and safe response, as well as allowing earlier intervention to prevent violence from escalating.
• $2.5 million to begin delivery of a DFV Workforce Strategy. A Workforce Strategy is vital to provide the sector with the support and training they have been asking for. This is a key focus of the NSW Domestic and Family Violence Plan.
• $3.1 million to begin delivery of a Data Strategy, so that we know what we are funding is working and identify where the gaps which need addressing.
• $2 million to start rolling out an Aboriginal Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence plan. This dedicated funding will assist in addressing violence against Aboriginal women and children, families and communities in the state, and support our Target 13 commitment to Closing the Gap.

This Budget builds on important domestic, family and sexual reforms by the Minns Labor Government, including its major funding package in the 2024-25 budget, nation leading coercive control reforms and an historic $5.1 billion invested in social and affordable housing, within which at least 50 per cent of new homes built will be prioritised for women and children fleeing family and domestic violence.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

"This package is about building a safer New South Wales and better protecting victim-survivors.

"We will deliver new courtrooms and a unique new hub allowing vulnerable victim-survivors to testify from a different location than their perpetrator.

"This hub will make a major difference, especially for women and children who have mustered the courage to give evidence against a domestic violence perpetrator.

"We need this additional funding for the justice system. It's part of our plan to build a safer New South Wales."

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“The Minns Labor Government is working hard to improve access to justice by expanding the capacity of Sydney’s courts and reducing trauma for vulnerable victim-survivors.

“We are increasing funding for a key program that is crucial to reduce courtroom trauma for child complainants and witnesses in sexual abuse cases.

“The Government is also beefing up resources to support industrial manslaughter prosecutions to deter unsafe work practices.

“These investments ensure we are continuing to prioritise community safety and access to justice through the efficient operation of our court system.”

Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Community safety is the top priority of the Minns Labor Government.

“This funding of over $100m will ensure that Corrective Services has the resources it needs to keep those that should be off the streets behind bars, for the benefit of the whole community.

“The Victims Register will also be supported as part of this funding package, to ensure eligible victim-survivors who choose to receive vital information about an offender's sentence, location, and parole eligibility, can get it when they need it.

“This funding package for Corrections is about putting the needs of victim-survivors, and the safety of the community first, and we make no apologies for that.”

Minister for Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Jodie Harrison said:

“This is work that previous governments have neglected for many years.

“This funding is the next step in this government’s work to build a safer NSW, by getting the foundations of workforce, data and systems right.

“The Budget lays the foundation for long-term reform that the sector has been crying out for which will mean victim-survivors continue to receive the appropriate, wraparound support when they escape abuse.”