Hobart Women's Shelter

Providing support, safety and advocacy for women and children

The Hobart Women’s Shelter (HWS) is Australia’s second-oldest women’s refuge. For 50 years, it has provided emergency accommodation, support, and housing to women and children affected by family violence and homelessness.

HWS has supported thousands of women and children. In the past four years it has assisted 979 women and children.

Initially established by the Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL) in a two-bedroom house, it grew with government funding, expanding into a larger crisis shelter with transitional housing programs by the 1980s. In 2018, HWS opened a purpose-built facility with 15 self-contained units. Today, it operates 25 crisis units, 10 transitional properties, and two long-term homes, with plans to expand to 30 crisis units in 2025.

The HWS has taken a proactive role in addressing Tasmania’s housing crisis, which disproportionately affects women and children. Since July 2020, 4,043 women and children were turned away due to capacity constraints. To address this, HWS launched an ambitious project to build 25 long-term homes. The first two, ‘Isabel’ and ‘Elsie,’ opened in March 2024, housing five people. Entirely funded through philanthropy, including the ‘Buy a Brick’ campaign, these homes have been nominated for major awards. Once complete, the project will provide 24,000 bed nights annually.

HWS plays a key role in partnerships that enhance support for women and children. As a founding partner in Tasmania’s first Health Justice Partnership, Just Healthy Families, HWS helped secure a case work lawyer who assisted 82 women and 95 children. HWS partnered with Engender Equality to employ a family violence counsellor who provided 248.5 hours of service to 23 women in 5 months.

It also introduced the Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) Program to Australia in 2020, contributing to primary prevention efforts.

Celebrating 50 years, HWS has evolved from a small shelter into a leader in family violence and homelessness services. Its legacy reflects the resilience of Tasmanian women, transforming lives through safety, support, and advocacy.

 Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women