Career and future intentions

Overall, the results illustrated that the primary prevention workforce shared a number of positive reasons for working in the primary prevention workforce, including a strong commitment to preventing/responding to family violence and gender equity.

Regarding future intentions, almost half of all primary prevention practitioners reported that they had plans to leave their current role. Although many planned to do so due to an end of contract, others were influenced by better career prospects and lack of advancement opportunities.

When asked what mainly motivates them to work in their primary prevention role, a commitment to preventing and responding to family violence, as well as to gender equity, were the most common reasons cited (55%-62% – see Figure 22). Around four-in-ten respondents were also motivated by a desire to help others (43%) and do something worthwhile (40%). This workforce was least motivated by job security (3%), pay/remuneration (4%) and career prospects (5%).

Before commencing their current role in the primary prevention workforce, just over one-third had held a role working for another organisation or agency in the sector (within Victoria – 35%). Around one-quarter (26%) had been working in a related sector, whilst 16% had been working in an unrelated sector, illustrating the diversity of this workforce in terms of career pathways and trajectories.

Figure 22: Motivators to working in primary prevention Base: All respondents (n=444); multiple responses accepted

Download ' Figure 22: Motivators to working in primary prevention Base: All respondents (n=444); multiple responses accepted'

When asked about their future plans:
- 48% of respondents had plans to leave their current role, 9% were unsure, and 43% did not hold such intentions¹; and
- 75% of those who planned to leave their current role intended to do so within the next 12 months20, mainly due to an end of contract (45% – see Figure 23).
Those who intended to leave their current role also reported differing plans for their next role, with 41% planning to leave their current role for another role outside of the family violence primary prevention workforce; and 31% planning to leave their current role for another role within the family violence primary prevention workforce.

All respondents who did not currently hold any roles in the specialist family violence response workforce were also asked whether they would consider taking on such a role in the future. Just over half reported that they would be open to such a role (53%), whilst 47% said they would not.
Results differed by some demographic cohorts, as follows:

Age – younger respondents (aged under 35) were more likely than their older colleagues to:
- have plans to leave their current role in the next 12 months (45% versus 35% of those aged 35- 54, and 26% of those aged 55+), but were also slightly more likely than others to plan to cease work temporarily; and
- be open to a role in the specialist family violence response workforce (59% versus 54% of those aged 35 to 54, and 43% of those aged 55+).
Years of experience – those who had been in their current role for more than 5 years were less likely than those with a shorter tenure to have plans to leave their role in the next 12 months (33% of those with 5-10 years’ tenure, and 19% of those with over 10 years, versus 42%-43% of those with 2-4 or less than 1 years’ tenure).

Organisation type – those working in an organisation that specialises in women’s health or policy, research and advocacy were more likely than average to indicate that they had plans to leave their current role (62% and 56%, respectively versus 48% on average).

Figure 23: Reasons for planning to leave current job Base: Respondents planning to leave their role in the next 12 months (n=157); multiple responses

Download 'Figure 23: Reasons for planning to leave current job Base: Respondents planning to leave their role in the next 12 months (n=157); multiple responses '

Footnotes

Q71. Thinking about your future, do you have plans to leave your current role? (n=446)

Updated 9 July 2021