This report summarises the outcomes of a roundtable convened by the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission in partnership with Embolden SA to address workforce sustainability in the domestic, family, and sexual violence sector. The roundtable discussed the challenges and opportunities related to workforce sustainability in the context of the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children 2022-2032. 

The report identifies key challenges, including workforce shortages, the need for specialized skills, and the importance of supporting Aboriginal community-controlled organisations. It calls for a national workforce strategy to help the sector attract, support and retain staff, with a particular focus on meeting the needs of First Nations communities, LGBTQ+ communities, migrant and refugee communities, and people with disability. 

Key findings 

1. There is strong support for a national workforce strategy.
2. Specialisation in Family Violence and Sexual Assault is of very high importance and there needs to be a focus on building these specialist workforces. 
3. Aboriginal community-controlled organisations and their workforce are facing unique challenges.
4. Building the capability of mainstream service providers is key to improving the capacity of the system to deliver better outcomes.
5. Leadership and professional development, across all phases of career, are critical to retention in specialist workforces. 
6. More flexible funding and funding models, informed by local knowledge, would deliver greater outcomes.