Kristy McKellar OAM

Renowned in Australia and internationally, Kristy McKellar OAM is a powerful catalyst for change in the prevention of domestic and family violence. Uniquely positioned as both a highly respected clinician and a survivor advocate with lived experience, Kristy brings rare depth, credibility and courage to every conversation she leads.

Kristy was bestowed an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for her outstanding contributions to the community services sector. She has been recognised as one of the top Australian Financial Review and Westpac Top 100 Women of Influence in the country, named Agenda Setter of the Year for Australia by Women’s Agenda, and inducted into the Honour Roll of Women. These accolades reflect not only her leadership, but her unwavering commitment to driving systematic reform.

 Through her work with governments, lawmakers, not-for-profits, corporates, clubs and sporting codes, Kristy has helped reshape Australia’s response to family violence. She played a significant role in the Australian Royal Commission into Family Violence, addressing Members of the Legislative Assembly and Council and serving on multiple government taskforces and steering committees. Her insights exposed critical gaps and failures within existing systems, directly influencing the implementation of new legislation in Australia that prioritises victim survivors’ rights, holds perpetrators accountable, and better protects women and children.

Kristy is the youngest member ever appointed to sit on the Adult Parole Board, where her expertise informs complex statutory decisions about the reintegration of eligible prisoners into the community, balancing rehabilitation with community safety. Her advocacy has also extended into male-dominated environments, including her influential work with the Australian Football League (AFL) and other sporting codes to implement measures that advance gender equality and accountability.

A key architect of the first Male Champions of Change model addressing domestic and family violence, Kristy has successfully engaged corporate leaders and workplaces to understand their role in prevention and response. Her work has led to the implementation of practical, life-changing workplace measures, including paid domestic violence leave, survivors reintegration programs, and appropriate responses to perpetrators within the workplace. This work has helped redefine the world's understanding of family violence as not only a social issue, but a workplace responsibility.   

Kristy has also driven reform within policing and justice systems, developing a mandated family violence training module for the Australian Police Force, which has successfully trained over 15,000 members at all levels nationwide. Kristy was also appointed a member of the Royal Commission Chief Magistrates Taskforce and Social Services Taskforce with the Special Minister of State and has been a delegate to the Australian Royal Commission into Family Violence Steering Committee. Kristy’s contributions to education, policy and frontline response continue to shape safer outcomes across Australia.  

At the heart of Kristy’s work is an unrelenting belief in dignity, safety and hope. Through her advocacy, leadership and lived experience, she has empowered countless individuals to speak out, seek support, and reclaim lives free from fear and violence, challenging all of us to play our part in promoting equal opportunities and creating lasting social change.