Recognising economic control as family violence and understanding your rights under Australia’s new laws. Financial abuse is one of the most powerful but least visible forms of family violence. It can happen to anyone, in any type of relationship. For people in the LGBTQIA+ community, financial abuse is difficult to detect due to social stigma and underreporting, plus a lack of tailored services providing education or support.
At Parker Coles Curtis, we apply our specialist family law knowledge and expertise to work with clients of all identities and relationship structures whether you’re married, de facto, same-sex, trans or gender-diverse. We guide and support those who have experienced financial control, coercion or exploitation. These experiences are real, valid, and deeply impactful. Following reforms in 2025, they are now explicitly recognised at law.
Financial abuse occurs when one partner uses money or financial systems to control the other. Common forms are:
Under the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 (effective June 2025), economic and financial abuse is now explicitly embedded within the legal definition of family violence.
Financial abuse clearly defined: including restricting financial independence, coercive control, dowry abuse, exploitation of joint assets, and sabotaging employment.
Impacts of family violence MUST now be considered in:
Courts must assess:
This is a major shift. It seeks to ensure that victim-survivors, particularly those whose financial autonomy was deliberately restricted during a relationship, are properly understood and addressed in financial proceedings after the relationship ends.
Data from national reports underscore the seriousness of the issue:
Economic Abuse Awareness Day (#Awareness2Action) urges governments, workplaces and communities to act to close this gap and improve pathways to safety and financial independence.
The ACT was one of the first jurisdictions to formally list financial abuse within family violence legislation. This includes:
For LGBTQIA+ victim-survivors facing additional identity-based vulnerabilities, these protections are vital.
As the ACT’s largest female-led specialist family law firm, we provide trauma-informed, inclusive, and confidential support tailored to each person’s circumstances. Our team helps with:
Legal advice and representation: To secure a fair property settlement that recognises the impact of family violence and financial control.
Spousal maintenance claims: Under new reforms, courts must consider how family violence has limited financial independence.
Safety-focused referrals: Including DVCS, LGBTQIA+ affirming services, psychologists and specialist financial counsellors.
Legal finance options: For clients who are financially trapped, or fearful of the cost of leaving an abusive relationship.
Support for all family structures: Including same-sex couples, gender-diverse couples, blended LGBTQIA+ families, polyamorous relationships, and relationships with shared or non-traditional parenting arrangements.
This year’s national theme, "From Awareness to Action", highlights the need to move beyond recognising economic abuse to actively addressing it.
How you can take action:
If you’re experiencing financial abuse, you are not alone.
There is confidential, non-judgmental support available.
DVCS (ACT): 02 8000 9000
1800RESPECT (Australia-wide): 1800 737 732
QLife (LGBTQIA+ support): 1800 184 527
Whether you need urgent safety planning, legal advice, or help understanding your rights under the new reforms, our team at Parker Coles Curtis is here to support you with dignity, courage and clarity.
LGBTIQ SUPPORT PATHWAYS
LGBTIQ SOCIAL & COMMUNITY GROUPS
LGBTIQ FRIENDLY BUSINESS & SERVICES
Recognising economic control as family violence and understanding your rights under Australia’s new laws. Financial abuse is one of the most powerful but least visible forms of family violence. It can happen to anyone, in any type of relationship. For people in the LGBTQIA+ community, financial abuse is difficult to detect due to social stigma and underreporting, plus a lack of tailored services providing education or support.
At Parker Coles Curtis, we apply our specialist family law knowledge and expertise to work with clients of all identities and relationship structures whether you’re married, de facto, same-sex, trans or gender-diverse. We guide and support those who have experienced financial control, coercion or exploitation. These experiences are real, valid, and deeply impactful. Following reforms in 2025, they are now explicitly recognised at law.
Financial abuse occurs when one partner uses money or financial systems to control the other. Common forms are:
Under the Family Law Amendment Act 2024 (effective June 2025), economic and financial abuse is now explicitly embedded within the legal definition of family violence.
Financial abuse clearly defined: including restricting financial independence, coercive control, dowry abuse, exploitation of joint assets, and sabotaging employment.
Impacts of family violence MUST now be considered in:
Courts must assess:
This is a major shift. It seeks to ensure that victim-survivors, particularly those whose financial autonomy was deliberately restricted during a relationship, are properly understood and addressed in financial proceedings after the relationship ends.
Data from national reports underscore the seriousness of the issue:
Economic Abuse Awareness Day (#Awareness2Action) urges governments, workplaces and communities to act to close this gap and improve pathways to safety and financial independence.
The ACT was one of the first jurisdictions to formally list financial abuse within family violence legislation. This includes:
For LGBTQIA+ victim-survivors facing additional identity-based vulnerabilities, these protections are vital.
As the ACT’s largest female-led specialist family law firm, we provide trauma-informed, inclusive, and confidential support tailored to each person’s circumstances. Our team helps with:
Legal advice and representation: To secure a fair property settlement that recognises the impact of family violence and financial control.
Spousal maintenance claims: Under new reforms, courts must consider how family violence has limited financial independence.
Safety-focused referrals: Including DVCS, LGBTQIA+ affirming services, psychologists and specialist financial counsellors.
Legal finance options: For clients who are financially trapped, or fearful of the cost of leaving an abusive relationship.
Support for all family structures: Including same-sex couples, gender-diverse couples, blended LGBTQIA+ families, polyamorous relationships, and relationships with shared or non-traditional parenting arrangements.
This year’s national theme, "From Awareness to Action", highlights the need to move beyond recognising economic abuse to actively addressing it.
How you can take action:
If you’re experiencing financial abuse, you are not alone.
There is confidential, non-judgmental support available.
DVCS (ACT): 02 8000 9000
1800RESPECT (Australia-wide): 1800 737 732
QLife (LGBTQIA+ support): 1800 184 527
Whether you need urgent safety planning, legal advice, or help understanding your rights under the new reforms, our team at Parker Coles Curtis is here to support you with dignity, courage and clarity.
LGBTIQ SUPPORT PATHWAYS
LGBTIQ SOCIAL & COMMUNITY GROUPS
LGBTIQ FRIENDLY BUSINESS & SERVICES
