Clergy abuse victims want to take the fight to the Vatican regardless of whether they are allowed to be in the room when Cardinal George Pell gives evidence to the child abuse royal commission via videolink.
Crowdfunding has so far raised about $125,000, more than double the amount needed for a group of Victorian abuse survivors to travel to Rome.
Whether or not they go depends on the yet-to-be-determined Rome venue being open to the public but survivor Stephen Woods believes the community response has been so positive that representatives should make the trip anyway.
"I think that now that so many people, Australia and worldwide, have donated that we can create such huge publicity and awareness around the world," said Mr Woods, a member of the Ballarat and District Child Abuse Survivors group.
"We are absolutely blown away by the generosity."
Mr Woods said the amount raised on GoFundMe - almost $125,000 by 4.30pm (AEDT) on Wednesday - meant as many as 30 survivors and support staff could go if there was an open hearing.
The original target was $55,000 to send 15 people, but the campaign was boosted by the release of a charity single by comedy singer/songwriter Tim Minchin entitled Come Home Cardinal Pell.
Mr Woods said it was important for survivors to be there when Australia's most senior Catholic testifies about the Catholic Church's handling of widespread abuse over decades in the Ballarat diocese and Melbourne archdiocese.
Testimony will take place over three days from February 29.
"It means that we can take the fight to the very heart of the citadel. We can go right to where they would never expect victims to hold them accountable which is in the Vatican."
Mr Woods said should the Rome trip not go ahead, the funds will be used to directly help survivors.
The church's Truth Justice and Healing Council chief executive Francis Sullivan said it was always the preference that the former Melbourne archbishop and Ballarat priest give his evidence in person but his medical condition meant that could not happen.
"What is most important now is that the commission hears his evidence in the most effective and timely way possible so that this case study can be finalised, that the commission can make findings and that abuse survivors can, hopefully, move forward with their lives."
