Family Advocacy and Support Services program launched by legal aid commissions across Australia will help families affected by family violence. 
According to the Commonwealth Attorney-General, Senator the Hon. George Brandis?QC, the Family Advocacy and Support Services (FASS) program will provide parents with a “coordinated range of front-line integrated legal duty and social support services”. 

Through the FASS program, duty lawyers and special family violence workers will support families navigate between the federal and state court systems and connect people with trauma-informed help such as risk assessments and safety planning.

Clients with difficulties accessing assistance will be prioritised, such as Indigenous Australians, those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and clients with a disability.

FASS program will be established in 23 legal aid commissions. Currently, Legal Aid New South Wales operates this service in Parramatta and others in Sydney, Newcastle and Wollongong, and partners with Women's Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services and Relationships Australia to ensure clients also receive necessary social support.

“I have often spoken about the need for early intervention and close management of family law cases, particularly when issues of family violence are prevalent.” Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia, Diana Bryant AO said.

“With qualified staff available to conduct screening and risk assessments, draft urgent applications and gather information and evidence around the family violence issues, this service will no doubt become of great assistance,” she added.

To establish the Family Advocacy and Support Services program, the Commonwealth Government provided $18.5 million under the Third Action Plan of the National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children.