Australia’s primary support service for countering radicalisation remains largely unknown to the public despite growing concerns over violent extremism following the 2025 Bondi attack.

According to market research cited in an expert report to the Antisemitism and Social Cohesion Royal Commission, only about 5 percent of Australians are aware of the Step Together program, which provides accessible support against radicalisation. This level of recognition is significantly lower than other national services; for example, the National Security Hotline is known by 25 percent of the population, while major mental health services such as Lifeline, Beyond Blue, and Kids Helpline register awareness rates of 82, 81, and 75 percent respectively.

Deakin University researcher Michele Grossman, who authored the report, highlighted the gap in public understanding and called for a more robust national campaign to raise awareness. Grossman noted that Australia’s public discourse on violent extremism is comparatively underdeveloped relative to other countries, partly because the nation had not previously faced a comparable domestic attack prior to the Bondi incident.

Step Together originated as a New South Wales state initiative in 2017 and was expanded nationally in July 2025. Despite this, the program has not been formally reviewed in over six years and has maintained a cautious approach to public promotion. Internal government documents from its inception advised against a public launch, recommending instead promotion through community leaders and word of mouth. Former Counter-Terrorism Minister David Elliott did make a media announcement about the service, but subsequent reviews criticised the conservative marketing strategy.

Witnesses appearing before the royal commission agreed the service suffers from low visibility but did not specify the extent of public unfamiliarity. Counsel assisting the commission, Richard Lancaster SC, noted the proportion of people aware of Step Together was “small” but did not elaborate.

During her testimony, Grossman urged the government to implement a “saturation campaign” to expand Step Together’s reach and accessibility. She emphasised that violent extremists often emerge from ordinary community settings, underscoring the importance of public education in recognising warning signs and addressing harm.

Some senior officials expressed reservations about broad advertising efforts. Heather Jackson, director at the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, stated a preference for a targeted communication strategy, warning that generic advertisements might prompt people to dismiss the service as irrelevant to them.

As the commission continues to examine Australia’s counter-extremism framework, the low public profile of Step Together raises questions about the effectiveness of current outreach efforts at a time when national security concerns are intensifying.