Better access to family violence studies

FEDERATION University will next year offer an adapted graduate certificate course aimed at providing better access to training for regional people who want to work in the family violence support sector.

The new Graduate Certificate of Social and Community Services will be developed in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and the sector.

Victorian Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Natalie Hutchins recently announced $1 million in funding to help pay for 68 fully-funded places next year and in 2027.

“The specialist family violence workforce is highly regarded in our state, and we’re making sure First Nations people and regional Victorians can get the training they need through a flexible, culturally safe program,” Ms Hutchins said.

“This is about investing in people and easing cost of living pressures, while tackling workforce shortages and supporting more Victorians into meaningful careers.”

The new qualification will give workers better access to training and is aimed at helping to attract and retain a diverse and highly skilled family violence workforce that reflects Victorian communities.

Minimum qualifications for specialist family violence roles were introduced in response to a recommendation by the Royal Commission into Family Violence in a bid to ensure victims will receive high-quality support.

Ms Hutchins said an evaluation of the reforms highlighted a need for more flexible, culturally appropriate training pathways, especially for Aboriginal workers and those living outside metropolitan Melbourne.

Applications for 2026 places will open later this year.

Federation University’s associate deputy vice-chancellor, Indigenous, Katrina Beer, said the adapted course arose out of a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence.

That recommendation called for priority to be given to the difficulties and needs of those experiencing family violence in rural, regional and remote communities.

Ms Beer said the certificate course would be more accessible under the new arrangements, and would be available for on-campus or online study.

“The idea and the intent is to work with rural and regional communities to work out what best suits them,” she said.

“So the intent is that this potentially can be offered in a hybrid model through face-to-face and online classes…depending on the communities’ needs, and that’s part of the adaptation.”

Ms Beer said the certificate is the minimum recommended qualification for those wanting to work in the sector.

“This is about creating pathways in the family violence support sector,” she said, confirming that it was also hoped it would contribute to an increase in the number of specialist workers.

“We’re very pleased. We’re very excited to be working in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations sector, the specialist family violence sector, and regional and rural communities.

“That’s what Fed are about.”