The Melbourne archbishop admits he was wrong not to pay for accommodation for a homeless victim of a pedophile priest.

Archbishop Denis Hart said if he had his time again, he would have authorised payment for three months of crisis accommodation for Emma Foster.

Ms Foster was abused by the notorious Father Kevin O'Donnell, and she developed serious psychiatric problems as a result.

When her family could no longer care for her at home, they asked the church in 2003 to pay for her crisis accommodation.

At the time, Archbishop Hart told the Fosters that paying for accommodation was not part of the Melbourne archdiocese's available support for victims.

Archbishop Hart was asked at the child abuse royal commission on Tuesday whether the Fosters' request was reasonable.

"I didn't say so then, but I would certainly say now we could have been more generous," Archbishop Hart said.

Asked what he would have done if had his time again, Archbishop Hart said: "I certainly would have granted it."

Emma's father, Anthony Foster, said hearing the admission did nothing to change what happened to his daughter, who committed suicide in 2008.

"It's all well and good to say that at the point in time where nothing could be done for Emma," Mr Foster told reporters.