Unlocking the Secrets of the DFSV Commission: Your 60-Second Guide to a Government Career 🚀

Ever wondered what it’s really like to work at the Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission (DFSV Commission)? We’ve done the heavy lifting and dissected their annual report, so you don’t have to! In this quickfire overview, you’ll discover everything you need to know about this Australian Government body—from its key functions and financials to the skills and qualifications they’re seeking in new recruits. Whether you’re a seasoned public servant or a recent school leaver, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to navigate your path to a rewarding government career.

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AT-A-GLANCE

• Name of Department / Council: Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission (DFSV Commission)

• Location: Offices in Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney (with flexible work options)

• CEO (Commissioner): Micaela Cronin

• Total Revenue: Approximately $5.63 million (2023–24) 📊

• Total Number of Employees: A small but growing team (fewer than 20 staff as of 2024)

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THE QUALIFICATION, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO

Top 5 academic qualifications most suited

1. Social Sciences (e.g., Psychology, Social Work, Sociology)
   💡 Helps provide critical insights into community needs, policy impacts, and support services.

2. Law or Criminology
   ⚖️ Aids in shaping legislation, interpreting policy frameworks, and advising on legal reforms.

3. Public Policy or Public Administration
   🤔 Equips you to contribute to policy design, program development, and cross-government collaboration.

4. Finance or Accounting
   📈 Essential for managing budgets, allocating resources efficiently, and ensuring transparent financial operations.

5. Communications or Media
   🎯 Strengthens strategic messaging, stakeholder engagement, and public awareness campaigns.

Top 5 certifications most suited

1. Project Management Certifications (e.g., PRINCE2, Agile)
   📝 Great for overseeing initiatives and coordinating across multiple sectors.

2. Policy Design & Development Short Courses
   💡 Deepen your understanding of government policymaking processes.

3. Grant Writing & Administration Certification
   🎯 Valuable for those shaping or overseeing grants and funding programs.

4. Data Analytics Certification
   📊 Aids in measuring program outcomes, reporting to Parliament, and informing strategic decisions.

5. Government Procurement Training
   ⚖️ Ensures compliance, value for money, and ethical procurement practices.

Top 5 trades / professions most suited

1. Administration Officers
   ⚡️ Keep day-to-day operations running smoothly and efficiently.

2. IT Specialists
   💻 Provide digital solutions, data analysis, and secure record management.

3. Human Resources Practitioners
   🤝 Manage recruitment, workforce planning, and staff development as the Commission expands.

4. Policy/Research Officers
   📑 Shape evidence-based policy papers, submissions, and briefing notes.

5. Community Engagement Advisors
   🏅 Bridge the gap between government and local communities to gather input and improve services.

Top 5 skills most suited

1. Strategic Thinking
   🧭 Helps in developing and implementing long-term plans aligned with national objectives.

2. Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
   🤝 Vital for working across government, NGOs, and community sectors.

3. Analytical & Research Skills
   📊 Essential for evaluating data and crafting evidence-based policy recommendations.

4. Financial Acumen
   💲 Critical for budgeting, reporting, and ensuring the Commission meets its financial obligations.

5. Communication & Writing
   ✍️ Key to producing clear, compelling documents for the public, media, and Parliament.

Top 5 work experiences most suited

1. Public Sector or Government Agency Roles
   🏛 Familiarity with APS processes, policies, and frameworks.

2. Community Services or Nonprofit Experience
   ❤️ Understanding grassroots challenges and delivering frontline support.

3. Project Management on Social Initiatives
   🎯 Demonstrates real-world capability to deliver outcomes with measurable impact.

4. Stakeholder & Partnership Management
   🤝 Experience collaborating with NGOs, private sector, or local councils to create synergy.

5. Research and Evaluation Projects
   🔎 Helps assess program effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.

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THE KEY FACTS

• Name of Department: Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission (DFSV Commission)

• Name of CEO (Commissioner): Micaela Cronin

• Location: Australia-wide influence, with offices in Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney

• Year Founded: 2022

• Main mission and purpose of the department:
  The DFSV Commission’s core aim is to address and end violence against women and children. It amplifies the voices of people with lived experience, offering expert policy advice and improving coordination and accountability across all levels of government.

  • Real-world example: The Commission’s Lived Experience Advisory Council brings survivor voices directly into key policy and program discussions.

• Main duties of the department:

  • Collaborating with federal, state, and territory governments to streamline policy and services

  • Developing evidence-based recommendations for domestic, family, and sexual violence policies

  • Monitoring and reporting progress against the National Plan to End Violence Against Women and Children

  • Engaging and centering individuals with lived and living experience in decision-making

  • Real-world example: Hosting national roundtables to tackle urgent issues—like the alarming rates of missing and murdered women—thus driving immediate attention and action.

• Key Projects, Key Strategic Priorities, Future Plans, and Initiatives:

  • National Lived Experience Advisory Council: Ensures survivor insights inform government policy.

  • Data and Measurement Frameworks: Promotes consistent national data collection to track impact and outcomes.

  • National Coordination: Works with agencies across Australia, from community organisations to policing, for a more unified response.

  • Continuous Stakeholder Engagement: Emphasises collaboration with community groups, service providers, and researchers.

• Did you know?
  The DFSV Commission was created on 1 July 2022, making it one of the newer agencies dedicated to tackling domestic, family, and sexual violence. Its innovative approach integrates direct feedback from people with lived experience to shape policy that’s both practical and effective.

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THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE

• Total Number of Employees: Fewer than 20 staff (and growing)

• Total Number of Employees at Each Pay Level: Not publicly itemized, but staff mainly fall under standard APS classifications

• Salary Bands: Generally aligned with the Australian Public Service (APS) pay structure—ranging from entry-level (around $55k) up to senior roles (up to $150k+)

• Average Salary in the Department: Varies widely based on APS classification

• Total Revenue: Approximately $5.63 million (2023–24)

• Average Revenue per Employee: Roughly $280k, given the current small team size

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GETTING A JOB AT THE DFSV COMMISSION

When writing your application, be sure to use job titles and keywords commonly found in Australian Government job postings (e.g., “Policy Officer,” “Project Officer,” “Data Analyst”).

Which academic subjects are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?

• Certificate / Diploma Level

  • Community Services / Welfare: Builds practical skills to support those affected by violence.

  • Business Administration: Develops administrative and organisational capabilities.

  • Information Technology: Contributes to data analysis, secure systems, and online stakeholder engagement.

• Bachelor / Master Level

  • Social Sciences (Psychology, Criminology, Social Work): Offers deeper insights into complex social issues.

  • Public Policy or Public Administration: Equips you to design, implement, and evaluate government policies.

  • Law: Enables thorough understanding of legislative frameworks and legal processes.

• PhDs

  • Research & Evaluation (e.g., Public Health, Gender Studies): Produce advanced data-driven insights.

  • Data Analytics or Economics: Deliver rigorous analysis of policy impacts and outcomes.

Which trades and professions are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?

• Administrative Staff, IT Specialists, Communications Officers, Policy & Research Officers, Community Engagement Advisors are all crucial for ensuring efficient operations, strong digital capabilities, public outreach, and robust policy development.

Which work experiences are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?

• Public Sector Roles, Community Services, Project Management, Stakeholder/Partnership Management, Research/Evaluation
  These roles nurture the cross-disciplinary mindset needed in a collaborative environment that focuses on measurable outcomes.

Which skills are likely to be most sought after, and of value, to this department?

• Soft skills:

  • Empathy & Active Listening

  • Team Collaboration

  • Adaptability

• Technical skills:

  • Data Analysis

  • Research & Evaluation

• General skills:

  • Written Communication

  • Stakeholder Engagement

Which hobbies and interests align with the work of this department?

• Advocacy or Community Volunteering: Demonstrates a passion for social issues.

• Writing or Public Speaking: Helps in articulating complex topics to broad audiences.

• Digital Innovation: Reflects comfort with modernising public services.

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WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THIS DEPARTMENT?

Contact the DFSV Commission:

• Address: GPO Box 9820, Canberra ACT 2601

• Phone: (02) 6121 9368

• Email: enquiries@dfsvc.gov.au

• Website: dfsvc.gov.au

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DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information, including annual reports. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information on this article. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this article.