October 05, 2026Our case for fair funding for SWS and the City of Sydney
We welcome the State Government recently announced in the FY27 NSW Budget an additional $184.1 million in core funding for specialist domestic and family violence programs. We want to in particular acknowledge the courageous leadership of the Hon. Jodie Harrison MP, who has listening to the sector’s advocacy and recognised the pressure our services are under.
Our catchment, Fairfield, Liverpool, Canterbury-Bankstown and the City of Sydney, covers some of the most disadvantaged and fastest-growing communities in NSW. Fairfield is the most disadvantaged local government area in the state, with median income barely 60% of the NSW average and unemployment nearly double the state rate. Liverpool is one of the five fastest-growing LGAs in NSW. And while the City of Sydney looks affluent on paper, 64% of households rent, median weekly rent is $550, and the area sits in the same low decile for economic resources as Fairfield, meaning housing insecurity is a constant, hidden barrier for women trying to leave violence and stay safely housed.
We are pleased to announce that our Staying Home Leaving Violence Services across Liverpool, Bankstown, Fairfield, Canterbury Burwood, Inner West, Canada Bay and Sutherland will be receiving an incredible 50% increase in its funding, phased in over 4 years, starting at 20% in financial year 2027 and increasing each year by 10%.
With BDVS and WDVCAS funded under that same $184.1 million package, we look forward to hearing about their allocation soon.
We’ll continue to ask the NSW Government to target its funding uplift where the evidence shows it’s needed most. We’ll keep advocating until it does, and we invite our community, partners and supporters to add their voice too.