Refuge accommodation can be arranged through Safe Steps. While Safe Steps is the main source of referrals to women’s refuges, some refuges also accept referrals from other designated agencies within their region. These have been included as separate listings on The Lookout. 

• Women’s refuges provide safe accommodation and support for women and children escaping domestic violence
• Refuge locations are not made public to ensure safety and security
• Domestic violence workers in refuges provide assistance and advocacy with Centrelink, schooling, court support, and housing related matters
• Refuges assist women with referrals for legal issues including immigration and Family Law matters and Intervention Orders
• Refuges provide support to women with a diverse range of cultural and other needs, including women with disabilities. They can cater for special dietary and other cultural and/or religious requirements
• Refuge workers utilise interpreting and translation services. Some refuges also employ bilingual workers. Refuges will refer to and work collaboratively with referrals other support agencies such as inTouch (formerly Immigrant Women’s Domestic Violence Service) for cultural and linguistic support
• The style and type of available accommodation differs between refuges. Some provide high-security communal living, others have individual units with a communal space or accommodation in which women and children can live independently

Refuges work with women to develop safety plans to support them and their children to maintain a sense of normality and keep their familiar routines.