What Refuge Victoria does

Refuge Victoria is a specialist not-for-profit family violence service incorporated as Refuge Victoria Inc. and headquartered in Ringwood, Melbourne, with operations across metropolitan Melbourne and statewide reach in Victoria, Australia. Founded in 1980 (previously Safe Futures Foundation until a 2021 rebrand), the organisation runs the largest family violence refuge footprint in the state: 18 standalone units across three refuges, 15 crisis properties, and nomination rights to 35 transitional housing properties. Its core product is crisis accommodation paired with wraparound case management, delivered by approximately 60 staff including in-house psychologists, nurse educators, specialist children's practitioners and 24/7 case managers.

The organisation's service portfolio has expanded well beyond basic refuge accommodation into differentiated specialty programs: the LGBTIQA+ Refuge to Recovery program (in partnership with Thorne Harbour Health, Switchboard Victoria and Family Access Network), the Didi's Family animal and equine therapy program, play therapy, the LEARN education support program, nurse educator health services, in-house counselling, and the consortium-based Pathways to Resilience therapeutic program. Funding is primarily sourced from the Victorian Government for baseline operations, supplemented by individual, corporate and community donations, philanthropic grants (including up to A$250,000 from the Paul Ramsay Foundation in 2023), and in-kind contributions of goods, services and volunteer time. Client fees are set at A$60/week plus A$10 per child per week but are routinely waived for clients without income, including asylum seekers.

Clients enter the system almost exclusively through Victoria's formal referral infrastructure - primarily Safe Steps (the state-wide 24/7 refuge referral line) and The Orange Door - rather than through direct commercial channels. In the most recent financial year the organisation reported supporting 410 people, including 217 children and 41 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Governance is provided by a volunteer Board of Directors chaired since February 2024 by Bridget Thakrar, with Janet Jukes OAM serving as CEO since July 2022.

Name

Refuge Victoria

Legal name

Refuge Victoria Inc.

Website

https://refugevictoria.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Refuge Victoria is Victoria's largest specialist family violence service, operating 33+ refuge and crisis accommodation properties across metropolitan Melbourne and delivering trauma-informed, 24/7 crisis and recovery support to women and children escaping family violence, funded primarily by the Victorian Government.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Family Violence Crisis Accommodation and Support Services

NAICS

Temporary Shelters (624221), Community Housing Services (62422), Individual and Family Services (6241), Emergency and Other Relief Services (624230)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Emergency Shelter, Camp Coordination & Camp Management (CCCM) (BPADADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Refugee & Immigrant Support Services (BPAGAEAI), Protection Services (GBV, Child Protection, Safeguarding) (BPADAHAF)

Keywords

• Family violence support
• Crisis accommodation
• Specialist family violence
• Refuge services
• Trauma-informed support

Headquarters

HQ city

Ringwood

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Refuge Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation primarily funded by the Victorian Government. Government funding covers baseline responses including case management and crisis accommodation.
2. Donations: Individual, corporate and community donations supplement government funding to provide enhanced services, therapeutic programs, and practical support for clients. Donations include monetary contributions, in-kind donations of goods, and volunteer services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Refuge Victoria provides crisis accommodation and specialist family violence support services for women and children escaping family violence across metropolitan Melbourne. It operates three refuges containing 18 standalone units, 15 crisis properties at undisclosed locations, and holds nomination rights to 35 transitional housing properties. Wraparound support includes safety planning, case management, legal and housing assistance, in-house counselling, nurse educators, play therapy, animal therapy, LEARN education support, and dedicated programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, LGBTIQA+ clients (Refuge to Recovery), and culturally diverse women.

Product overview

Refuge Victoria is a specialist family violence service offering crisis accommodation and comprehensive support services for women and children escaping family violence. The organization operates crisis accommodation as its core product alongside specialized programs including the LGBTIQA+ Refuge To Recovery Program, Animal Therapy Program (Didi's Family), Play Therapy Program, LEARN education support, Nurse Educator health services, In-house Counselling, and the Pathways to Resilience Program through consortium partnerships. Together these services provide a pathway from crisis to recovery for clients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Refuge to Recovery: A dedicated LGBTIQA+ program offering crisis accommodation and recovery support for people who are LGBTIQA+ and have experienced family violence. It is the first dedicated LGBTIQA+ refuge response in Victoria, developed in partnership with Thorne Harbour Health, Switchboard Victoria, and Family Access Network.
• Didi's Family

Products and services

• Crisis Accommodation Services Safe crisis accommodation across 18 standalone refuge units (in three Melbourne refuges — two in the east and one in the west), 15 crisis properties at undisclosed confidential locations, and nomination rights to 35 transitional housing properties, provided to women and children escaping family violence in Victoria.
• Refuge to Recovery (LGBTIQA+ Program) Dedicated LGBTIQA+ crisis accommodation and recovery support for people who are LGBTIQA+ and have experienced family violence. The first dedicated LGBTIQA+ refuge response in Victoria, delivered in partnership with Thorne Harbour Health, Switchboard Victoria, and Family Access Network, and recognised with the 11th Victorian Pride Awards Outstanding Advocacy (2025).
• Animal Therapy Program (Didi's Family) Animal therapy program offering animal interactions and equine therapy for trauma treatment, particularly effective for children and young people experiencing family violence, established in memory of Didi.
• Play Therapy Program Specialist therapeutic play program for children in refuge, evaluated in 2025, designed to support young clients processing trauma from family violence.
• LEARN Program Education support program ensuring children in refuge maintain continuity of learning, with learning needs assessments, tutoring, and school enrolment assistance.
• Nurse Educators Health support service helping women and children maintain their health needs during refuge stay, including arranging medical appointments and medication management.
• In-house Counselling Onsite psychological services delivered by in-house psychologists providing clinical mental health assessment and trauma-informed treatment within refuge settings.
• Pathways to Resilience Program Therapeutic intervention program for victim-survivors of family violence, delivered through a consortium partnership with Uniting, EACH, Family Access Network, and the Australian Childhood Foundation.
• School Holiday Programs Activities including art, craft, cooking, and recreational events delivered for children in refuge during school holidays, with therapeutic benefits.
• Wraparound Case Management Core case management covering safety planning, risk assessment, legal support (intervention orders, police statements), housing assistance (private rental, social housing, transitional housing), financial support, Centrelink navigation, NDIS coordination, medical support, cultural support plans, and outreach support post-refuge, delivered 24/7 by specialist practitioners.
• Pet-Friendly Refuge Accommodation Pet-inclusive crisis accommodation with separate enclosed courtyards for pets and access to veterinary care through the Greencross Vets partnership (which has clinics near each refuge property), enabling women to flee family violence without leaving pets behind.

Quantifiable outcome

• 410 people supported in last financial year
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Safe StepscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVictoria's state-wide refuge referral service. Most clients are referred to Refuge Victoria through Safe Steps, which conducts risk and safety assessments and determines appropriate accommodation options.
• Thorne Harbour HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTIQA+ community-controlled organisation and partner in the Refuge to Recovery program - Victoria's first dedicated LGBTIQA+ refuge response.
• Switchboard VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTIQA+ community-controlled organisation and partner in the Refuge to Recovery program for LGBTIQA+ victim-survivors of family violence.
• Family Access NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Refuge to Recovery program for LGBTIQA+ victim-survivors of family violence.
• Salvation ArmymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Salvation Army for access to transitional, social and public housing programs for clients moving out of refuge.
• Community Housing LtdmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for access to transitional, social and public housing programs for clients moving out of refuge.
• Women's Housing LtdmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for access to transitional, social and public housing programs for clients moving out of refuge.
• UnitingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pathways to Resilience Program consortium providing therapeutic interventions for victim survivors of Family Violence.
• EACHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pathways to Resilience Program consortium providing therapeutic interventions for victim survivors of Family Violence in the Outer East.
• Australian Childhood FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pathways to Resilience Program consortium providing therapeutic interventions for victim survivors of Family Violence.
• Greencross VetsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing veterinary care for pets brought by families into refuge. Greencross has clinics close to each refuge property and provides timely medical treatment.
• Wanyaari Aboriginal Consultancy ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngaged to conduct desktop review to address service gaps for Aboriginal communities and foster a culturally sensitive and inclusive environment.
• The Generosity CollectivemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides clothing donations specifically matched to client needs. Reduces storage waste and ensures clients receive appropriately sized and weather-appropriate clothing.
• Eastern Emergency Relief NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral organisation for material donations including household furniture, whitegoods and electrical appliances in good condition.
• Western Emergency Relief NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerReferral organisation for material donations including household furniture, whitegoods and electrical appliances.
• Our VillageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccepts donations for babies and children in excellent condition. Has drop off points in Clayton and Geelong.
• Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal property and construction consulting firm that has supported families in refuge through fundraising and donations, particularly at Christmas time.
• Victoria Police Forensic ServicesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRun annual fundraising campaigns aligned with 16 Days of Activism, choosing Refuge Victoria as their charity. Donate gifts and essential items.
• VMLmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal marketing firm selected Refuge Victoria as their charity for month of giving. Provided fundraising and marketing expertise, plus staff volunteering.
• AccenturemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHeld fundraising events and workshops using expertise to address technological challenges at Refuge Victoria.
• Tait Mitre 10 / HardingsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted International Women's Day breakfast to raise funds for Refuge Victoria.
• Ray White Real EstateminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRun annual Little Ray of Giving initiative encouraging community donations of toys and gifts for families in refuge at Christmas.
• The Blind FactoryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDesigned and created bespoke blinds for refuge properties to provide privacy and security for families.
• The Generosity CollectivemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerReceives donations from community and disperses to charities based on specific needs. Provides clothing specific to client requirements.
• Share the DignityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDonates sanitary products so women and girls in refuge are not forced to choose between food and sanitary items.
• Impact for WomenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProvides 'Bags of Love' with toiletries, personal care items, edible treats, and craft projects for women entering refuge.
• RizeUp AustraliaminorGTM or Marketing Partner2023 Gift Appeal partner ensuring every child, mum and single woman in refuge had Christmas gifts.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• EACH: Community health and family services provider delivering family violence therapeutic interventions in Victoria's Outer East through the Pathways to Resilience consortium. Direct program partner and DFV service peer.
• Thorne Harbour Health: LGBTIQA+ community-controlled health organization and core co-development partner on the Refuge to Recovery LGBTIQA+ refuge program. Provides overlapping LGBTIQA+ family violence response services.
• The Orange Door: Victorian government-funded intake and referral service for adults, children and young people experiencing family violence. Operates as an alternative referral pathway into Refuge Victoria's specialist services and shares the same funder.
• Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre: Victoria's 24/7 state-wide refuge referral service and Refuge Victoria's primary referral pipeline. Both organizations deliver family violence crisis support within the same Victorian DFV system and rely on the same government funding.
• Women's Housing Ltd: Victorian provider of transitional, social, and public housing pathways for women escaping family violence. A housing partner with Refuge Victoria and a direct counterpart in the post-refuge housing pathway.
• Relationships Australia Victoria: Operates a statewide portfolio of specialist family violence programs supporting victim-survivors, children, and people who use violence. Delivers overlapping DFV services in Victoria and shares several board and funding links with Refuge Victoria.

Others

• Domestic Violence Victoria (DV Vic): State-wide peak body for specialist family violence service providers in Victoria. Comparable in policy advocacy, sector training, and member-services positioning rather than direct service delivery.

Broad incumbents

• Mission Australia: National homelessness and family services provider operating crisis accommodation, DFV programs, and youth services across Australia. Comparable in funding model (government + donations) and service breadth though not specialist DFV-only.
• Uniting (Victoria and Tasmania): Large community-services provider delivering family violence, housing, and therapeutic programs including the Pathways to Resilience consortium alongside Refuge Victoria. Overlaps in DFV clinical and case-management services at scale.
• Salvation Army (Salvos): National DFV and homelessness support operator that also partners with Refuge Victoria on transitional housing pathways. Provides overlapping crisis accommodation and case management but across a much broader service portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/refuge-victoria-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Refuge Victoria