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SHS clients experiencing FDV whose need for FDV-related services was unmet
Measure: Proportion of SHS clients experiencing FDV whose need for FDV-related services was unmet
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Baseline value
9.1%in 2022–23
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Latest value
6.3%in 2024–25
Last updated:
On this page In this section
Interpretation Time series State and territory Population characteristics Related material More information Related measuresInterpretation
A decrease in the proportion of specialist homelessness services (SHS) clients experiencing family and domestic violence (FDV) whose need for FDV-related services was unmet is desirable. However, there are many reasons why a need for assistance may be unmet. SHS agencies differ in the services they are funded to deliver – some focus on assisting people experiencing homelessness; others deliver a broader range of homelessness and housing support and services; and some deliver support to people within a specific situation, such as those experiencing family and domestic violence.
This measure should be considered alongside other data from specialist homelessness services, including measures relating to unmet need for accommodation, and measures relating to persistent homelessness and return to homelessness.
Data on people affected by family and domestic violence may include those who needed, were provided with, or referred to perpetrator support services.
Outcome: 6 Women are safe and respected in all settings, and experience economic, social, political and cultural equality
Sub-outcome: 6.1 People impacted by violence and abuse have access to timely and ongoing supports, services, resources, and opportunities to support their long-term recovery and healing
Indicator: Increased access to affordable, accessible and safe housing
Baseline: 2022–23
Latest year: 2024–25
Data source: AIHW Specialist Homelessness Services Collection
Source: DSS 2024.
For information about how this measure is derived, please refer to the Technical specifications for National Plan Outcomes.
Additional National Plan Outcomes data are available from the Data downloads page.
Time series
Specialist homelessness services clients experiencing FDV whose need for FDV-related services was unmet, 2011–12 to 2024–25
| Year | Per cent |
|---|---|
| 2011–12 | 5.7% |
| 2012–13 | 5.2% |
| 2013–14 | 5.4% |
| 2014–15 | 7.2% |
| 2015–16 | 8.8% |
| 2016–17 | 11.0% |
| 2017–18 | 12.7% |
| 2018–19 | 9.3% |
| 2019–20 | 8.3% |
| 2020–21 | 7.9% |
| 2021–22 | 7.9% |
| 2022–23 | 9.1% |
| 2023–24 | 6.8% |
| 2024–25 | 6.3% |
Notes:
- FDV-related services are those services grouped for SHS reporting as 'Assistance for family/domestic violence'
- Data on people affected by family and domestic violence may include those who needed, were provided with, or referred to perpetrator support services.
- A client is identified as experiencing family and domestic violence if in any support period during the reporting period the client was formally referred from a non-SHS FDV agency to an SHS agency (only applies to support periods starting from 1 July 2019), or 'family and domestic violence' was reported as a reason they sought assistance, or during any support period they required family or domestic violence assistance.
- Percentages have been calculated using a denominator based on the number of SHS clients experiencing FDV who needed family or domestic violence-related services during the reference period.
- Caution should be used when making comparisons over time as SHS reporting may be influenced by changes in underlying state and territory policies, programs or systems.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
State and territory
Specialist homelessness services clients experiencing FDV whose need for FDV–related services was unmet, by jurisdiction, 2022–23 to 2024–25
| Jurisdiction | 2022–23 (baseline) | 2023–24 | 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | 16.3% | 15.2% | 12.7% |
| Vic | 7.7% | 3.9% | 3.6% |
| Qld | 11.4% | 8.5% | 10.2% |
| WA | 3.7% | 3.2% | 3.3% |
| SA | 1.8% | 2.1% | 1.8% |
| Tas | 27.4% | 29.9% | 19.9% |
| ACT | 16.8% | 20.7% | 22.1% |
| NT | 1.8% | 2.2% | 2.3% |
Notes:
- FDV–related services are those services grouped for SHS reporting as 'Assistance for family/domestic violence'.
- A client is identified as experiencing family and domestic violence if in any support period during the reporting period the client was formally referred from a non–SHS FDV agency to an SHS agency (only applies to support periods starting from 1 July 2019), or 'family and domestic violence' was reported as a reason they sought assistance, or during any support period they required family or domestic violence assistance.
- Data on people affected by family and domestic violence may include those who needed, were provided with, or referred to perpetrator support services.
- Percentages have been calculated using a denominator based on the number of SHS clients experiencing FDV who needed family or domestic violence-related services during the reference period.
- Caution should be used when making comparisons over time as SHS reporting may be influenced by changes in underlying state and territory policies, programs or systems.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
Population characteristics
Sex
Specialist homelessness services clients experiencing FDV whose need for FDV–related services was unmet, by sex, 2022–23 to 2024–25
| Sex | 2022–23 (baseline) | 2023–24 | 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Females | 8.9% | 6.6% | 6.2% |
| Males | 9.8% | 7.7% | 6.8% |
| Persons | 9.1% | 6.8% | 6.3% |
Notes:
- FDV–related services are those services grouped for SHS reporting as 'Assistance for family/domestic violence'.
- A client is identified as experiencing family and domestic violence if in any support period during the reporting period the client was formally referred from a non–SHS FDV agency to an SHS agency (only applies to support periods starting from 1 July 2019), or 'family and domestic violence' was reported as a reason they sought assistance, or during any support period they required family or domestic violence assistance.
- Data on people affected by family and domestic violence may include those who needed, were provided with, or referred to perpetrator support services.
- Percentages have been calculated using a denominator based on the number of SHS clients experiencing FDV who needed family or domestic violence-related services during the reference period.
- The inclusion of a sex = ‘Other’ category was introduced for support periods starting from 1 July 2019. Clients identifying as ‘Other’ have been included in the ‘Female’ category from 2019–20 onwards due to data quality and confidentiality concerns.
- Caution should be used when making comparisons over time as SHS reporting may be influenced by changes in underlying state and territory policies, programs or systems.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
Age
Specialist homelessness services clients experiencing FDV whose need for FDV–related services was unmet, by age group, 2022–23 to 2024–25
| Age group | 2022–23 (baseline) | 2023–24 | 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–9 | 6.2% | 4.2% | 2.9% |
| 10–14 | 7.3% | 4.1% | 2.8% |
| 15–17 | 14.5% | 9.8% | 8.6% |
| 18–24 | 14.2% | 13.0% | 13.1% |
| 25–34 | 9.0% | 7.2% | 7.4% |
| 35–44 | 9.2% | 6.4% | 6.3% |
| 45–54 | 9.7% | 7.9% | 7.4% |
| 55–64 | 10.1% | 7.9% | 7.1% |
| 65+ | 10.0% | 8.7% | 8.8% |
Notes:
- FDV–related services are those services grouped for SHS reporting as 'Assistance for family/domestic violence'.
- A client is identified as experiencing family and domestic violence if in any support period during the reporting period the client was formally referred from a non–SHS FDV agency to an SHS agency (only applies to support periods starting from 1 July 2019), or 'family and domestic violence' was reported as a reason they sought assistance, or during any support period they required family or domestic violence assistance.
- Data on people affected by family and domestic violence may include those who needed, were provided with, or referred to perpetrator support services.
- Percentages have been calculated using a denominator based on the number of SHS clients experiencing FDV who needed family or domestic violence-related services during the reference period.
- Caution should be used when interpreting data about services needed, provided and referred for younger children. Many children and young people present to SHS as part of a group and the data collected about their services may actually reflect those of their household or presenting group.
- Caution should be used when making comparisons over time as SHS reporting may be influenced by changes in underlying state and territory policies, programs or systems.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
Country of birth
Specialist homelessness services clients experiencing FDV whose need for FDV–related services was unmet, by country of birth, 2022–23 to 2024–25
| Country of birth | 2022–23 (baseline) | 2023–24 | 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | 9.0% | 7.1% | 6.5% |
| Other main English speaking countries | 9.0% | 7.8% | 8.1% |
| Non-main English speaking countries | 6.5% | 4.8% | 5.0% |
| Not stated | 17.1% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
Notes:
- FDV–related services are those services grouped for SHS reporting as 'Assistance for family/domestic violence'.
- A client is identified as experiencing family and domestic violence if in any support period during the reporting period the client was formally referred from a non–SHS FDV agency to an SHS agency (only applies to support periods starting from 1 July 2019), or 'family and domestic violence' was reported as a reason they sought assistance, or during any support period they required family or domestic violence assistance.
- Data on people affected by family and domestic violence may include those who needed, were provided with, or referred to perpetrator support services.
- Main English speaking overseas countries (MESC) include Canada, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America.
- Percentages have been calculated using a denominator based on the number of SHS clients experiencing FDV who needed family or domestic violence-related services during the reference period.
- Caution should be used when making comparisons over time as SHS reporting may be influenced by changes in underlying state and territory policies, programs or systems.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
Disability status
Specialist homelessness services clients experiencing FDV whose need for FDV–related services was unmet, by disability status, 2022–23 to 2024–25
| Disability status | 2022–23 (baseline) | 2023–24 | 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| With disability (severe/profound) | 10.1% | 8.7% | 7.6% |
| With disability (other status) | 15.5% | 13.7% | 12.0% |
| All with disability | 13.8% | 12.1% | 10.6% |
| Without disability(a) | 8.6% | 6.6% | 6.4% |
| Missing/don't know | 9.5% | 4.9% | 3.1% |
Notes:
- FDV–related services are those services grouped for SHS reporting as 'Assistance for family/domestic violence'.
- A client is identified as experiencing family and domestic violence if in any support period during the reporting period the client was formally referred from a non–SHS FDV agency to an SHS agency (only applies to support periods starting from 1 July 2019), or 'family and domestic violence' was reported as a reason they sought assistance, or during any support period they required family or domestic violence assistance.
- Data on people affected by family and domestic violence may include those who needed, were provided with, or referred to perpetrator support services.
- Disability refers to limitation in core activities only—self–care, mobility, and / or communication. Severe or profound disability refers to clients who always or sometimes require assistance with one or more core activities. Other disability status refers to clients who have difficulty with core activities but no need for assistance; or who do not have difficulty but use aids / equipment with core activities.
- Percentages have been calculated using a denominator based on the number of SHS clients experiencing FDV who needed family or domestic violence-related services during the reference period.
- Caution should be used when making comparisons over time as SHS reporting may be influenced by changes in underlying state and territory policies, programs or systems.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
a: includes clients who have disability but no core activity limitation.
Remoteness
Specialist homelessness services clients experiencing FDV whose need for FDV–related services was unmet, by remoteness, 2022–23 to 2024–25
| Remoteness area | 2022–23 (baseline) | 2023–24 | 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major cities | 10.0% | 6.9% | 6.5% |
| Inner regional | 10.3% | 8.6% | 7.9% |
| Outer regional | 7.0% | 6.1% | 5.5% |
| Remote/Very remote | 2.6% | 2.8% | 2.3% |
Notes:
- FDV–related services are those services grouped for SHS reporting as 'Assistance for family/domestic violence'.
- A client is identified as experiencing family and domestic violence if in any support period during the reporting period the client was formally referred from a non–SHS FDV agency to an SHS agency (only applies to support periods starting from 1 July 2019), or 'family and domestic violence' was reported as a reason they sought assistance, or during any support period they required family or domestic violence assistance.
- Data on people affected by family and domestic violence may include those who needed, were provided with, or referred to perpetrator support services.
- Clients are assigned a Remoteness Area based on the SHS agency where they first sought support. Remoteness Area is assigned using the Australian Bureau of Statistics classification, Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS), 2021.
- Percentages have been calculated using a denominator based on the number of SHS clients experiencing FDV who needed family or domestic violence-related services during the reference period.
- Caution should be used when making comparisons over time as SHS reporting may be influenced by changes in underlying state and territory policies, programs or systems.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
Indigenous status
Specialist homelessness services clients experiencing FDV whose need for FDV–related services was unmet, by Indigenous status, 2022–23 to 2024–25
| Indigenous status | 2022–23 (baseline) | 2023–24 | 2024–25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indigenous | 8.6% | 7.7% | 6.6% |
| Non–Indigenous | 8.7% | 6.6% | 6.2% |
Notes:
- FDV–related services are those services grouped for SHS reporting as 'Assistance for family/domestic violence'.
- A client is identified as experiencing family and domestic violence if in any support period during the reporting period the client was formally referred from a non–SHS FDV agency to an SHS agency (only applies to support periods starting from 1 July 2019), or 'family and domestic violence' was reported as a reason they sought assistance, or during any support period they required family or domestic violence assistance.
- Data on people affected by family and domestic violence may include those who needed, were provided with, or referred to perpetrator support services.
- Clients who identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in any of their support periods are considered as Indigenous clients.
- Percentages have been calculated using a denominator based on the number of SHS clients experiencing FDV who needed family or domestic violence-related services during the reference period.
- Caution should be used when making comparisons over time as SHS reporting may be influenced by changes in underlying state and territory policies, programs or systems.
For more information, see Data sources and technical notes.
Related material
See the related content in the AIHW Family, domestic and sexual violence website:
More information
DSS (2024) Performance measurement plan, DSS, accessed 8 May 2024.

Related measures
See the related National Plan Outcomes measures:
- Next page SHS clients experiencing FDV whose need for accommodation was unmet