The State Government has provided a further $500,000 grant to rebuild a family welfare centre in Footscray.

Minister for Children Sherryl Garbutt launched work at the St Anthony's Family Centre buildings site on Commercial Road.

She said the $500,000 grant to MacKillop Family Services was in addition to a $300,000 Government grant announced last year to support the $4.5 million building project.

'Today marks the beginning of a new stage in the life of the St Anthony's Family Centre which has been helping disadvantaged families in Melbourne's western suburbs for the past 30 years,' Ms Garbutt said.

'The $4.5 million project to create a new double-storey building to replace two existing derelict buildings will provide a much-improved centre for staff and the thousands of people who use their services.

'The period facade of the present brick buildings will be restored and form a welcoming, familiar frontage for the new centre that will include four counselling rooms, a regional parenting library, an education centre and kitchen.'

Ms Garbutt said MacKillop Family Services delivered a number of welfare programs at the centre including intensive long-term support for struggling families, parenting programs, support for people with disabilities and substance abuse support.

'The new centre will have better wheelchair access, kitchen and toilet facilities, several outdoor areas and a large community space to hold meetings and run activities.

'This will make it easier for MacKillop Family Services to help more than 1,000 people who use their services.'