Nicole Augustine

Background

About Nicole Augustine

I am an Advanced Specialist Family Violence Practitioner with a major in Behavioural Psychology and over a decade of frontline experience in child protection and specialist family violence services. My practice is grounded in evidence-based frameworks, including the MARAM Framework and trauma-informed, intersectional approaches, to deliver comprehensive risk assessments, dynamic safety planning, and high-level case management for victim-survivors of family violence. I currently practice within both the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, supporting clients navigating legal systems where family violence is present. In these jurisdictions, I provide specialist risk assessments, safety planning, and advocacy to ensure court processes reflect the full scope of risk and trauma experienced by victim-survivors and their children. My role involves collaboration with legal professionals, court staff, and support services to ensure integrated, safe, and trauma-informed responses. I specialise in complex and high-risk cases, applying advanced clinical judgement to assess cumulative harm, navigate systems, and implement targeted interventions. My behavioural psychology background informs a nuanced understanding of trauma, coercive control, and perpetrator patterns, supporting accurate risk identification and sustained safety outcomes. I provide practice leadership across multidisciplinary teams, contribute to sector capacity building through reflective supervision and mentoring, and uphold a strong commitment to perpetrator accountability and victim-survivor agency. I am particularly focused on improving integrated responses and outcomes through collaborative, data-informed practice and continuous quality improvement.