Brokerage and emergency crisis payment arrangements

People impacted by domestic and family violence (DFV) may require financial support to be well supported and safe.

On this page you will find a consolidated list of the brokerage and emergency crisis payment arrangements available to people experiencing DFV. We have also identified additional avenues available to people with disability and their children who are impacted by DFV.

Queensland funding

Women’s shelters and home security safety upgrades

Some women’s shelters in Queensland receive brokerage funding to support women experiencing DFV. The use of these funds will vary but are generally linked to achievement of case plan or support plan goals. This can include assistance to:

  • maintain accommodation, including:
    • payment of accommodation related expenses, including rent arrears or utilities
    • purchase of specialist support services and other expenses to support achievement of case or support plan
  • access accommodation (including temporary accommodation), including:
    • payment of accommodation related expenses, including bond and utilities
    • purchase of specialist support services and other expenses to support achievement of case or support plan.

However, wherever possible in the first instance, services should support people experiencing DFV to access products already available through the Department of Housing and Public Works in relation to assistance with rental costs or bond payments. 

If you are supporting someone to seek shelter, contact the closest housing service centre to discuss what options, including financial support, may be available. 

Other domestic and family violence services

Queensland Government funded DFV services – other than women’s shelters – may also have funding available to support client related costs, including to support people escaping violence. This will depend on the operational structure of the service and clients should discuss this with the service.

A number of DFV services also provide home security upgrades to support and empower people experiencing DFV and their children to remain safely in their homes where it is appropriate to do so. This is achieved through enhancing home security and enabling people to remain close to family and other support networks such as workplaces, schools and child care. An assessment of circumstances and risk will be undertaken prior to this work being carried out.

Technology – such as personal safety devices or CCTV – is also available through some specialist DFV services under the Keeping Women Safe in Their Homes initiative. These resources are also issued as part of a broader safety plan and after a rigorous risk assessment process to determine whether remaining in the home is a safe option.

Contact a local DFV support service. 

Emergency Relief program

The Queensland Government funds an Emergency Relief program. The program provides financial and/or material support to Queenslanders in financial crisis.

The program provides support such as food vouchers, food parcels and third-party payments for vulnerable Queenslanders and aims to prevent future financial crisis by referring people to appropriate financial and social support services.

Contact your nearest funded service. 

Financial assistance for victims of violence

Victim Assist Queensland provides financial assistance to victims of violence that happened in Queensland. Learn more about how to make a claim and how to claim urgent expenses.

Victims’ rights

If a person has suffered harm as a result of a crime (including domestic and family violence) they have rights. Learn more about the Queensland Government’s Charter of Victims’ Rights.

Commonwealth funding

Centrelink provides an avenue for people who have experienced DFV to receive crisis payments. Eligibility criteria for accessing a crisis payment from Centrelink for DFV includes that a person must be:

  • residing in Australia when making the application
  • experiencing DFV, including the considerations that:
    • the person receiving the payment must be in contact with a DFV service prior to applying
    • there is a limited time period for a crisis payment claim to be requested:
      • Centrelink must be contacted within 7 days of:
        • the decision to not return home
        • the perpetrator leaving or being removed from the home
        • the person being legally prevented from returning home
      • following contact with Centrelink, the claim must be submitted within 14 days
  • eligible for – or receiving – income support or ABSTUDY Living Allowance from Centrelink.

Support to complete the application is available to people with disability or other impairments. This may include completing the application verbally rather than through the formal process. Crisis payments for any reason are available to a person a maximum of 4 times per 12 months.

Find more information about crisis payments, including how to apply.

Banks and financial institutions

A number of Australian banks and financial institutions offer a range of financial support services and support mechanisms to help customers to gain independence and escape violence. This includes:

  • crisis payments
  • separate and private bank accounts
  • counselling services
  • exceptions to general requirements to open a new account
  • support with financial literacy. 

Please note that many of these support mechanisms are only available to existing customers of the institution and are generally assessed on a case-by-case basis. People experiencing DFV should contact their specific bank to discuss what is available.

Corporate support

The Queensland Government is continuing to engage with corporate and community partners to improve workplace responses to people experiencing DFV.

Some employers offer financial assistance to employees who are impacted by DFV. An avenue for financial support may be found by looking into the policies and practices of the employer of a person who is impacted by DFV, or discussing this directly with the employer. 

Additional financial support for women with disability and their children

People with disability who are actively receiving support from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may be able to access crisis payments if impacted by DFV.

These payments are managed on a case-by-case basis and should be discussed with a client’s support worker from the National Disability Insurance Agency, or through contact with the relevant NDIS provider. 

For people with disability who do not yet have an NDIS package

The Queensland Government Assessment and Referral Team (ART) is continuing to provide intensive case management activities to support people with disability to access the NDIS. ART can administer specialised assessments of diagnosis and/or functional capacity where required. Case Managers will work with clients to identify suitable options on an individual basis.

To be eligible for ART, a person must be aged between 7 and 65, and meet the NDIS access criteria.

Referral for people who may be eligible for the NDIS can be made directly to ART via: