The Economic Abuse Reference Group is a national network of Australian community organisations that work collectively with government and industry to reduce the financial impacts of family violence. Our members include domestic and family violence services, community legal services, financial counselling services, women’s services and peak bodies. Over 70 organisations contribute to our work.
Initially established to support the implementation of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Family Violence in Victoria, EARG now informs national policy and industry practice. Our Victorian, New South Wales and Western Australian state groups have input to local issues (for example energy, fines and local government).
EARG’s advocacy has influenced policy development and reform across debt collection, family law, tax and corporations, design of financial products, telecommunications, traffic fines, bankruptcy, credit reporting, coercive control, and Australia’s national domestic and family violence policy frameworks.
National EARG is coordinated by Redfern Legal Centre through funding from Ecstra Foundation and the NSW Government through the Community Legal Centres Program administered by Legal Aid NSW.
An evaluation of EARG’s work was published in July 2023 which summarises the benefits of EARG for members, industry, regulators and government.
Not all organisations contribute on every issue, and other organisations may contribute from time to time. See our Terms of Reference for more information about how we work.
EARG advocates for improvements to policies, laws and business practices by contributing to industry guidance, providing submissions and evidence to inquiries, and engaging directly with key decision-makers.
EARG draws on the casework evidence, frontline insights and expertise of its diverse members to provide trusted advice and practical solutions on a range of legal, financial and policy issues.
EARG brings together the voices of frontline workers, policy professionals, victim survivors and academics, and shares expertise and resources to build cross-sector capacity.
