Evidence from the Sax Institute has helped inform a $22.7 million expansion of a national pilot that is supporting primary care teams to better identify, respond to and refer people experiencing family, domestic and sexual violence.
The Australian Government’s announcement follows an interim evaluation undertaken by the Institute’s Evaluate team, which demonstrated the program’s impact in strengthening workforce confidence and improving referral pathways to specialist services.
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, The Hon Rebecca White MP, said the findings reinforced the value of the program:
“The interim evaluation shows this national pilot program is making a difference as part of our Government’s commitment to end gender-based violence in one generation.”
The investment extends the Supporting Primary Care Response to Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence pilot.
Between July 2022 and April 2025, the evaluation found:
- 721 training sessions were conducted with primary care providers
- More than 1,500 direct referrals were made from primary care to specialist FDSV services
- A whole-of-practice approach fostered cultural change and increased confidence across clinical and non-clinical staff
Dr Martin McNamara, CEO of the Sax Institute, said the announcement highlights the role of independent evaluation in informing national policy decisions:
“This investment demonstrates the value of rigorous, independent evaluation in shaping real-world policy decisions. Primary care plays a critical role in identifying and responding to family, domestic and sexual violence. These findings show that providing primary care teams with the right tools and supports, and taking a whole-of-practice approach to empower all staff to feel confident to recognise and respond, is making a real impact across Australia.”
