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RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)
Contents Vol 35(3)

A critical review of long-term funding for reducing violence against women in Australia

Lauren Sheppard A * , Vicki Brown A , Kim Robinson B and Marj Moodie A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Deakin Health Economics, Institute for Health Transformation, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic 3220, Australia.

B School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Vic 3220, Australia.

* Correspondence to: lssheppard@deakin.edu.au

Public Health Research and Practice 35, PU24027 https://doi.org/10.1071/PU24027
Submitted: 1 July 2024  Accepted: 8 May 2025  Published: 14 July 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the Sax Institute. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Objectives and importance of study

Adequate funding for comprehensive strategies is crucial to eliminating violence against women. This study examined funding committed during a major policy initiative aimed at reducing violence against women in Australia between 2010 and 2023.

Study type

A retrospective review of federal, state and territory government budget documents to estimate funding levels and examine the distribution of resources across types of strategies aimed at addressing violence against women in Australia.

Methods

Review and data extraction of budget estimates and activity descriptions addressing violence against women and gender inequality during the time of Australia’s National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children. Mixed-method analysis explored trends in funding over time by jurisdiction and strategy type and identified priority actions.

Results

Of the 508 papers screened, 201 documented relevant information with over 900 extractions for activities addressing violence against women (n = 797) and gender inequality (n = 110), totalling an estimated A$12.1 billion. Rather than a steady investment, funding fluctuated, and jurisdictional differences occurred. Supporting people impacted by violence, raising workforce capacity and developing systems to strengthen the response were supported. Primary prevention, incorporating awareness-raising and promoting gender equality, received fewer resources overall, with funding directed towards education, workplace and sports settings.

Conclusions

During a critical time of action to reduce violence against women, increased government funding occurred, supporting diverse strategies. However, a lack of clarity and consistency in budget reporting contributed to uncertainty in total funding committed over this timeline. Having a fiscal strategy over the entire action plan will embed long-term funding and improve future planning and monitoring.

Keywords: budgets, health economics, resource allocation, violence.

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