Consider a Medicare item number for family violence services

The Commonwealth Government has been encouraged to consider a Medicare item for family violence counselling in recognition of its importance for a victim’s recovery. The Victorian Government will continue to show strong leadership on access to health care for victims of family violence and will encourage the Commonwealth to consider policy and funding alternatives to improve the capacity of the primary healthcare system to respond to family violence.

While this recommendation has been implemented, we are continuing to support continues to be shown for work that will to improve the capacity of the primary healthcare system to respond to family violence, increasing access to counselling, and exploring options to improve data collection about family violence in general practice.