Work / Australia
The Judith Neilson Foundation backs organisations advancing justice, safety and opportunity for women and girls across Australia.
We focus on First Nations women and girls, refugee and migrant women, women in rural and remote areas, and older women. We also recognise the impact of poverty, violence and exclusion on their children.
Our partners are strengthening services, shifting systems and amplifying the leadership of those most affected by inequality. We support organisations grounded in lived experience, working locally and nationally for lasting change, including initiatives with the potential to drive broader, systemic change.
Our priorities in
Australia /
Strengthening services and support for women and girls in Sydney
We invest in services and infrastructure that help women and girls access safety, stability and opportunity. This includes improving coordination between frontline organisations, strengthening referral pathways and building the sector’s capacity to collaborate and adapt.
Backing First Nations woman and girls
We support First Nations women’s leadership and economic participation, especially in Northern Australia. Our partners are building the foundations for intergenerational wellbeing by strengthening infrastructure, networks and autonomy. This includes support for women-led enterprise, financial independence and self-determined community development.
Advancing justice for woman and girls
We invest in reducing criminalisation and improving access to timely, trauma-informed legal support. This includes community-led legal services, diversion and reintegration programs, and work that addresses the root causes of incarceration and shifts justice systems toward fairness and accountability.
The case for investing in women in prison
Women are now the fastest-growing group in Australian prisons, and the majority are mothers. Even a short time behind bars can profoundly affect their children, leading to cycles of disadvantage and further incarceration. By putting our support behind women in prison, and investing in the organisations that work tirelessly on their behalf, we can help disrupt the cycle of disadvantage for women today and those to come.
Partner spotlight /
Australia
Women’s and Girls’ Emergency Centre (WAGEC)
WAGEC’s ‘From Now’ program supports pregnant women and mothers exiting prison, most of whom are First Nations and survivors of violence, with housing, parenting support, and trauma-informed care. The program is achieving strong results in parenting confidence, emotional stability, and reduced reoffending, while helping women rebuild safe, connected lives with their children.
Our partnership with WAGEC supports women and children impacted by the legal system to break cycles of incarceration, strengthen families, and drive systemic reform. Learn more about their vital work by visiting wagec.org.au.
