Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission

The Commission was established as an Executive Agency within the Australian Government Department of Social Services under the Public Service Act 1999 on 1 July 2022. The Commissioner, Micaela Cronin, commenced in her role on 1 November 2022. Australia is one of only three countries in the world to have established such a Commission. The Commission's establishment was recommended by the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs Inquiry on Family, Domestic and Sexual Violence, which recommended that 'the Australian Government establish as an independent statutory office a National Commissioner for the prevention of family, domestic and sexual violence' (Parliament of Australia, 2021). In keeping with the intent of the recommendation and the support of the government, the Commission operates as an independent agency, working collaboratively with agencies in lieu of statutory powers.