The Victorian Government has announced the $1 million ‘Strengthening qualification pathways to specialist family violence work’ project. It aims to help more Victorians enter and remain in the family violence sector.
Federation University will work closely with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, and the broader family violence sector to develop and offer an adapted Graduate Certificate of Social and Community Services, ensuring it reflects best practice to equip workers working in this highly specialised field.
The project will support 68 fully-funded graduate certificate places across 2026 and 2027.
The adapted qualification will support those in the community and workforce who face barriers getting the qualifications they need to work as a specialist family violence practitioner in Victoria.
Specialist family violence work in Victoria has minimum qualifications. This was a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence and it has increased recognition of the status and professionalism of the workforce.
An evaluation of the minimum qualifications policy recommended the government work with the education and family violence sectors to develop tailored and culturally safe training pathways for Aboriginal people and improve accessibility for people in regional and remote areas.
Applications for 2026 placements in the adapted graduate certificate will open later this year.