The cost of leaving a violent relationship has surged by 71% over the past decade, significantly outpacing inflation and creating another barrier for victim-survivors seeking safety.
The analysis by Anglicare Sydney, found the average cost of leaving a domestic and family violence situation increased from $4,098 in 2016 to $7,017 in 2026.
The figures account for immediate expenses such as rental bonds, temporary accommodation and moving costs, as well as the costs associated with setting up a new household and rebuilding stability.
Housing costs were among the steepest increases identified in the report, with rent and bond expenses more than doubling over the 10-year period. Fuel and childcare costs also rose by more than 50%.
“To see that the cost of leaving a violent home has risen 71% in ten years is confronting, because behind every number is a person trying to reach safety,” said Claire Dunlop, Anglicare General Manager of Relationships & Wellbeing.
“For many victim-survivors, leaving already takes enormous courage. What this research shows is that financial barriers are becoming another obstacle to safety. When housing costs, childcare, transport and everyday essentials keep rising, people can feel trapped between violence and financial insecurity.”
The report also points to the impact of financial abuse, including coercive control that leaves victim-survivors burdened with debt and damaged credit histories.
“We are seeing more cases where coercive control involves debts being accumulated in a victim-survivor’s name, so not only is there forced financial dependence or restricted access to funds, but damaged credit histories,” Ms Dunlop said.
“Carrying that burden, victim-survivors either can’t or feel they won’t be able to access secure housing or credit, obtain utilities, or establish financial independence.”
The findings come amid ongoing housing affordability and cost-of-living pressures across Australia, which support services say can delay or prevent people from leaving unsafe situations.
“People know support services exist. But during a housing and cost-of-living crisis, further support is needed to ensure safety is accessible, achievable and sustainable for everyone,” said Ms Dunlop
Anglicare Sydney is calling for a range of policy measures to better support people escaping violence, including increasing the Leaving Violence Program payment from $5,000 to $7,000 and indexing future increases to inflation.
The organisation is also advocating for expanded access to no-interest loans and emergency brokerage funding, stronger protections against financial abuse, and greater investment in housing, including an additional 3,000 long-term social and affordable homes each year for people leaving violent situations.
Other recommendations include extending crisis and transitional accommodation programs, establishing priority social housing pathways for victim-survivors, and increasing paid domestic and family violence leave from 10 days to 15 days.
The full report is available at www.anglicare.org.au/impact/.
