Child protection advocates support the Baird government's measures to get tough on pedophiles.
Sex offenders who have had intercourse with a child under the age of 10 could face life behind bars under a re-elected NSW coalition government.
It's time sentencing laws reflect the seriousness of sexual assault, said president of Adults Surviving Child Abuse, Dr Cathy Kezelman.
For too long suspended sentences and blocks in the system have made it hard for victims to find justice.
"Often for survivors being sexually abused is a life sentence," she said, with many victims losing their lives to suicide or drugs and alcohol as a result of abuse.
"We hope the judges are going to be guided by these laws if they come in. Life sentences recognise that people can struggle for a lifetime," she told AAP on Wednesday.
Braveheart's CEO Hetty Johnston also welcomes the new measures.
"It's exactly the sort of message that needs to get out there to all those people that might be harming children or considering harming children and also to the victims of sexual assault who will take great comfort knowing that this government understands that this is a serious crime," she told Macquarie Radio.
Under the plans, the maximum penalty for sexual intercourse with a child under 10 will be raised from 25 years to life in jail.
Standard non parole periods for 13 child abuse offences including grooming, prostitution and production of child abuse material will also be introduced.
Mr Baird will commit $4 million for the justice package while committing another $4 million over four years to educate children and young people about protecting themselves against abuse.
He will also introduce a pilot program that appoints specialist judges to child sexual assault cases and allows child witnesses to be cross-examined in a "safe place" rather than testifying in an open court.
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