Strengthening the NSW Domestic and Family Violence Sector: Workforce Development Strategy (2025-2035)

The Workforce Development Strategy was developed in consultation with the sector, key stakeholders and survey responses from the NSW domestic and family violence (DFV) workforce. The Strategy will build the sustainability, capacity and capability of the sector, helping workers to better support victim-survivors, and enhance responses for people using violence.

The Strategy provides a roadmap for delivering a range of supports, including: 

• targeted training and resources to ensure the specialist workforce can meet growing demand and respond to emerging needs
• initiatives that prioritise workforce wellbeing
• development and implementation of best-practice quality standards
• measures to grow the pipeline of skilled and diverse workers to the sector
• development of a culturally responsive clinical supervision guide to support workers to receive regular, high-quality supervision
• the development of a First Nations community-led workforce sustainability plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers. 

Read the full DFV Workforce Development Strategy here (PDF, 3.6 MB).

NSW DFV common-risk assessment framework

Common risk assessment frameworks are essentially guides to help people – whether they work in government, non-government services or the community – to understand and identify signs of DFV and know how to respond in a safe, effective and appropriate way.

Establishing a NSW DFV common risk assessment framework is an action under the Workforce Development Strategy. A draft framework has been developed, following consultation with over 100 stakeholders.

In acknowledgement of the significance of this work and the opportunity to learn from the experiences of other jurisdictions, Ms Karen Webb (former NSW Police Commissioner) was appointed as DFV Special Advisor to lead engagement and draw out experiences and lessons learned from other jurisdictions on the implementation of these frameworks.

The DFV Common Risk Assessment Framework Implementation Insights Report was finalised in September 2025 and can be read here (PDF, 765.1 KB).

NSW Government is using this report to help inform next steps for the implementation of the framework in NSW.