Recommendation 19

The Commonwealth Government to expand the functions and powers of the National DFSV Commission and establish it as a statutory authority. Expanded powers should include performing a clearinghouse function, having stronger powers to gather information, and to continue monitoring the implementation and funding associated with the National Plan.

(Responsible Commonwealth portfolio/s: Social Services)

Update as at 30 October 2025

The DFSV Commission is finalising its current Yearly Report, which provides transparent accountability for implementation of the National Plan, to be tabled in Parliament in October 2025.

Recommendation 20

The Commonwealth and state and territory governments to further strengthen data collection, in relation to DFSV. This includes:

1. working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to embark on a process to determine a community led approach to data collection that accounts for Indigenous data sovereignty principles;
2. increasing intersectional and disaggregated data, as well as a particular focus on improving data on regional, rural and remote communities such as the Torres Strait Islands, in addition to improving data on LGBTIQA+ experiences, experiences of people with a disability, and children and young people affected by family law processes;
3. establishing a national data set focusing on the extent and nature of perpetration to inform and improve response; and
4. prioritising enhancements to the measurements framework for the National Plan to include further quantitative targets.

(Responsible Commonwealth portfolio/s: Social Services, Indigenous Australians, Health, Attorney-General’s)

Update as at 30 October 2025

There are considerable efforts underway to strengthen data and research under the National Plan (lead agency: Department of Social Services). The Commonwealth Government is:

• Progressing a number of data development projects that will strengthen the collection and reporting of data related to DFSV. This includes 3 AIHW projects (the Prototype data collection on specialist crisis FDV services, the FDSV Integrated Data System, and the FDSV website for monitoring and reporting on FDSV and National Plan Outcomes) and 2 ABS projects (Personal Safety Survey 2025-26 and the Criminal Justice Data Asset).
  • These projects are on track for delivery and implementation over the next 1-2 years.
• Implementing a new data collection and data development project to deliver a nationally representative data collection to report progress towards the achievement of Closing the Gap Outcome 13 and assist with the development of more meaningful and measurable targets.
  • Working with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council for Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence (the Advisory Council) to determine the best approach for implementation. In partnership, the Department of Social Services continues to work with the Advisory Council to finalise a fit for purpose scope of the project and proceed to find a suitable supplier to deliver the project.
• Providing $27.6 million for the National Priority Research Fund to support ANROWS to continue its work.
  • Under the National Priority Research Fund, ANROWS has commissioned 14 research projects that focus on building the evidence base on pathways into and out of perpetration of FDSV. Eight research projects aim to inform policy and practice design for prevention and early intervention and 6 research projects focus on engaging sectors beyond those that specialise in FDSV, including health, education, and LGBTQIA+. Three of these research projects are led by First Nations researchers.
• Committed to developing further quantitative targets within the lifetime of the First Action Plan of the National Plan. Work to consider and agree further quantitative targets is currently in the planning phase.

Recommendation 21

The Commonwealth and state and territory governments to develop a consistent approach to death review processes and improve knowledge on the relationship between DFSV and suicide. This should include:

1. establishing and uplifting death review panels across all jurisdictions, including with First Nations support units and protocols (state and territory governments);
2. strengthening national coordination and consistency of DFSV death review processes, and learning and sharing of findings (state and territory governments supported by Commonwealth); and
3. initiating an urgent inquiry into the relationship between DFSV victimisation and suicide, with a view to developing a methodology for accurate counting of the DFSV death toll (Commonwealth, state and territory governments).

(Responsible Commonwealth portfolio/s: Social Services, Attorney-General’s, Health)

Update as at 30 October 2025

The Commonwealth Government recognises the critical role that death reviews play in identifying where systems and efforts have failed in their support for, and interaction with, victims and perpetrators of FDSV.

The Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Program is a partnership between the Australian Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Network (the Network) and ANROWS. The partnership produces landmark research exploring FDV-related deaths in Australia.

The Network comprises members of each of the death review teams from all of the Australian states and territories. Members of the Network have specialist expertise in domestic and family violence-related issues and are able to access information from coroner’s courts, ombudsman’s offices and government agencies to produce an informed and holistic understanding of the circumstances and context of a domestic and family violence-related death.

Government is further considering how this recommendation could be addressed.

On 28 October 2025, the Commonwealth Government announced the launch of an inquiry into domestic, family and sexual violence related suicide. The inquiry will be undertaken by the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs.