RAV is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation, with no religious affiliations.
We provide services for all members of the community.
We believe in core values that inform our practice and behaviour.
View the RAV Board.
View the RAV executive team.
View a list of downloadable annual reports and financial statements.
The Strategic Plan 2019-23 is the blueprint for our future.
Relationships Australia is the home of Neighbour Day, Australia's annual celebration of community.
A wide range of services to support children, young people and their families.
We offer counselling for relationships in all their aspects.
Free and confidential support for people affected by the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
A service to help couples who are separating to resolve their family law disputes, including conflicts about children, parenting, financial arrangements and property settlement.
FRCs offer a range of services and programs, which are aimed at families at all stages of their life.
We provide sensitive, supportive and professional family violence services across Victoria.
Our specialist support service for people affected by forced adoption.
We address mental health at all stages, with preventative and early intervention mental health services, as well as support for families experiencing mental health difficulties.
RAV celebrates cultural diversity and is committed to providing access to all our programs for all Victorians.
Free support for people who grew up in institutional care prior to 1990, also known as Pre-1990 Care Leavers.
We offer group work and post separation parenting courses (including some for court-mandated clients).
RAV has an established reputation for quality professional training and development in FDR, couple therapy and relationship counselling.
Relationships Australia Victoria has been funded to provide support to people contemplating or going through the National Redress Scheme.
We are committed to providing targeted and effective services addressing the needs of senior Victorians and their families.
Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and individuals to help strengthen family relationships.
Helping to maintain and improve the health, functioning and productivity of employees and workplaces.
RAV offers a variety of relationship education courses, run in small groups.
This easy-to-complete course aims to help you keep your love relationship happy and stable.
We can tailor programs across a broad range of topics to cater varying training needs.
We have an established reputation for quality professional training in a range of areas related to family relationships.
Our Training and Development Department delivers a range of specialist programs.
Get the latest information about training and professional development news, articles and events.
Contact us to discuss our training and development services.
Find out about our latest news, events and articles.
Keep abreast of our new initiatives, services and programs by reading or subscribing to our regular eNewsletter.
RAV has produced a variety of publications to assist with relationship needs.
View a list of links to relevant external organisations and services.
Innovative resources to support children to deal with common difficulties in the context of important relationships.
Browse a list of books recommended by our Librarian on relationship issues.
Browse a list of answers to questions we are frequently asked.
Videos providing support on a range of topics and common challenges people face.
Information, tips and resources on a range of common family and relationship issues.
We evaluate our services and undertake research to enable us to highlight issues, service gaps and areas for improvement, and measure the effectiveness of our services.
RAV can provide informed commentary on a range of relationship topics.
RAV has provided written submissions to several Royal and Human Rights Commissions.
Would you like to work for us? Relationships Australia Victoria (RAV) is a leading and valued provider of specialist family and relationship services. We are a community-based not-for-profit organisation, with no religious affiliations.
We offer a range of competitive, attractive and flexible employment conditions.
RAV advertises all available positions on this careers page of our website.
All employees require a satisfactory National Police Check and a current Working with Children Check.
What do you need to be eligible to gain employment and work with Relationships Australia Victoria (RAV).
Please take a moment to read our Employment Application Privacy Statement.
To get the support you need, your relationship with health professionals is pivotal.
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A common concern when seeing a health professional is whether or not they will understand the impact of your experiences on your health and wellbeing. Increasing numbers of health professionals are aware of the experiences and impact of forced adoption policies and practices, and there are more resources available to assist them, including online training, webinars and written guides.
You can download this fact sheet to take to your GP or another health professional. It’s been produced by the Department of Social Services and explains the history, experiences and impacts of forced adoption policies and practices, support needs of people affected, appropriate language and available assistance.
Online training is available for health professionals in Australia.
The Australian Psychological Society has developed a national online training program to support health professionals to provide services in an appropriate and sensitive manner to people who have been affected by forced adoption policies and practices in Australia.
The training is suitable for all health and community professionals including general practitioners, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, occupational therapists, mental health nurses and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers.
Find more information on APS forced adoption training>
Word of mouth is a good way to find health practitioners with relevant experience and training. The RAV FASS team, the VANISH (Victorian Adoption Network for Information and Self Help) and peer support groups may be able to suggest health professionals in your area who have had specific training related to forced adoptions or have experience working with people affected by forced adoption policies and practices.
It’s important that you feel safe and comfortable and can trust your GP or another health professional. You can ask questions about their training, experience and approach to providing care, as well as asking about things like cost and appointments. If they are unwilling to answer your questions or you feel they are not taking your concerns seriously, consider choosing another health professional.
It is possible to receive good quality health care without sharing the details of your story, and health professionals who understand trauma are able to work with you in this way.
Only share your story when and if you feel ready to do so, and only within a safe environment, with a person you can trust. If you feel yourself being pushed too hard, or you are uncomfortable with their methods, try to discuss your concerns with your health professional. If you’re not comfortable after discussing your concerns, consider choosing a different health professional.
Remember, you don’t have to do this on your own – you can always take a friend or family member with you for support when you attend appointments.
The Blue Knot Foundation is an organisation that supports adult survivors of child abuse. Their website has excellent information about seeking care and support that may be useful to you, even if you are not a survivor of child abuse.
Visit the Blue Knot Foundation – support for adult survivors of childhood trauma and abuse website>
