Professional Standards and Codes of Practice
Professional Standards and Codes of Practice
On this page you can find Codes of Practice, standards and guidelines that impact a range of professionals and services responding to family violence in Victoria.
These include:
- Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) framewor
- DV Vic Code of Practice
- Victoria Police Code of Practice for the investigation of Family Violence
- Men’s Behaviour Change Minimum Standards
- Child Safe Standards
- Women and Children Counselling and Support Program guidelines (DHHS)
- OurWatch Guidelines for Reporting Violence Against Women
- Mandatory minimum qualifications for specialist family violence practitioners
Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) Framework
In Victoria, the legislation used to ensure all workers across the response system are effectively and consistently identifying, assessing and managing family violence risk is called the Family Violence Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management (MARAM) framework.
DV Vic Code of Practice
The DV Vic Code of Practice articulates a set of principles and standards to guide consistent, quality service provision for victim survivors accessing specialist family violence services in Victoria.
To read more about the implications of the Code, check out our interview with DV Vic’s Senior Practice Development Advisor, Erin Davis.
Victoria Police Code of Practice for the Investigation of Family Violence
Victoria Police’s response to, and investigation of, family violence is governed by this Code of Practice, relevant legislation and the Victoria Police Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct.
Men’s Behaviour Change Minimum Standards
The Minimum Standards apply to all providers of men's behaviour change programs in Victoria. They outline the standards and good practice guidelines those doing men's behaviour change work in Victoria must adhere to.
Child Safe Standards
All Victorian organisations that provide services or facilities to children are required by law to comply with the Child Safe Standards. You can learn more about the standards on the DHHS website or the Commission for Children and Young People's website.
Women and Children Counselling and Support Program guidelines (DHHS)
These guidelines are a reflective practice tool individual practitioners and specialist family violence services. They guide quality practice and continuous improvement to ensure women and children recovering from the impacts of family violence receive the best support possible.
OurWatch Guidelines for Reporting Violence Against Women
These guidelines provide information and tips to support media organisations across Australia to report on violence against women.
Mandatory minimum qualifications for specialist family violence practitioners
In Victoria, a new mandatory minimum qualification policy applies for people entering the family violence sector as a specialist family violence practitioner from 1 July 2021. The Victorian government has outlined an initial 5-year transition period to this policy starting July 2021. This transition period will give people starting their careers as practitioners a number of employment pathway options to meet the new mandatory minimum qualification requirements. Practitioners who are part of the existing workforce will have an ongoing exemption to the policy.