Family violence royal commission enacted

Signed papers to formally enact Victoria's Royal Commission into Family Violence have been handed by the premier to the governor.

Premier Daniel Andrews said on Sunday it was another important step in addressing a long overlooked problem.

"The biggest law and order issue in our state is unfolding in our homes," Mr Andrews said.

"The Royal Commission will give us the answers we need and nothing will be off limits."

The commission, to take about a year, will report on the most effective ways to protect the vulnerable and support victims, to prevent and intervene, and to hold family violence perpetrators to account.

It will cost $36 million to run and a further $4 million has been allocated as an initial funding boost for support services in anticipation of increased demand.

Family violence accounted for a third of all police work in Victoria in 2013, with 65,000 incidents reported and 44 related deaths.