Two state governments are taking active steps to help victims of domestic violence.

The Queensland Government has provided $17 million to pay for eight new domestic and family violence service outlets, while the South Australian Government is making it easier for victims to get out of lease agreements.

In Queensland, Minister for Communities Shannon Fentiman said nine organisations would share the extra $17 million over three years, to strengthen the capacity of the existing system and fill gaps where services were lacking.

“The new services will give families affected by domestic violence better access to specialist counselling, court based services, information and support and intervention programs,” Ms Fentiman said.

“This package is round one of funding worth $49 million over five years.”

The new funds will help agencies roll-out the Government’s new Family and Child Connect and Intensive Family Support services.

In South Australia, victims of domestic violence will be able to terminate leases without having to interact with their abusive partners.

Reforms to the Residential Tenancies Act mean victims will not face financial penalties under changes when breaking a lease.

“I want to ensure victims are not subject to ongoing undue hardship - whether financially or by having to deal with the perpetrator on matters such as lease arrangements and finalising bond,” said SA’s Minister for the Status of Women and Business Services and Consumers, Gail Gago.

Before the changes, victims who left a property could not have their name removed from a joint lease without the consent of the other party, but this will be changed.

The proposed reforms also stop a tenant's personal information being listed on a Residential Tenancy Database if it was determined domestic violence had occurred.

Victims of domestic violence will be protected from having to pay for damage caused to the property by a perpetrator of domestic violence.

Also among the changes is a rule that would allow an order for compensation against a single tenant in a co-tenancy, effectively splitting the bond, while empowering the Residential Tenancies Tribunal to terminate a tenancy and make new tenancy agreements.

The proposals will now be presented to landlords and the housing industry, to ensure their rights are maintained.