The Andrews Labor Government is investing $6 million to improve the hands-on training for university students about to begin a career keeping women and children safe from family violence.

Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams announced the package at RMIT University today, while marking the start of the 2019 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

The Labor Government will invest $3.1 million to pave the way for up to 1,000 additional student placements in family violence and community organisations, on top of the 1,400 placements already funded.

A further $1.5 million will go towards a new and tailored Fast Track Professional Development Program for 150 early and mid-career specialist family violence professionals to grow their careers and gain the skills they need to become managers and leaders.

The Labor Government will also establish a Family Violence Practice Social Work Graduate Program, while a further $1.5 million will be provided for TAFEs and other Registered Training Organisations to equip family violence professionals with the skills they need to provide the very best care.

It’s all part of the Labor Government’s Strengthening the Foundations: First Rolling Action Plan 2019-21. The plan sets out a roadmap for a bigger, stronger, more diverse family violence workforce.

The Labor Government has now completed 143 of the 227 recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Family Violence.