Registry of services
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR DV VICTIMS
Assistance Available
The amount of a recognition payment is based on the type of violence you have experienced. Not all offences or acts of violence have recognition payment categories associated with them. The payment categories are:
- $15,000 for financially dependent family victims or children under 18 at the time of death of the homicide victim.
- $7,500 for parents, step-parents or guardians, current spouses, or de facto partners of a homicide victim.
- $10,000 for primary victims of sexual assault resulting in serious bodily injury, involving multiple offenders or an offensive weapon, or a sexual assault, sexual act, or attempted sexual assault involving a series of related acts.
- $5,000 for primary victims of a sexual assault (not resulting in serious bodily injury, involving multiple offenders or involving an offensive weapon), attempted sexual assault causing serious bodily injury, assault resulting in grievous bodily harm, or physical assault of a child that involves a series of related acts.
- $1,500 for primary victims of an attempted sexual assault without serious bodily injury, sexual touching, sexual acts (if the victim was under 16 years old at the time), a robbery involving violence, or an assault which did not cause grievous bodily harm.
Evidence Required
You may be eligible for a recognition payment if you are a:
- primary victim
- parent, step-parent, guardian, current spouse or de facto partner of a homicide victim
- financially dependent family victim
- child of a homicide victim who was under 18 years old at the time of death.
- a report that explains what happened. This can be either:
- a police report (You do not need to send us the police report if you reported the incident to NSW police. You can provide information about your report to NSW police in the application form.)
- a report from a government or government-funded organisation.
- medical, dental, or counselling report(s) that show how the violent crime affected you.
- You must provide your medical, dental or counselling report(s) within 12 months of lodging your application or your recognition payment claim will be closed.
Assistance Available
Assistance in helping primary, secondary and related victims.
- A primary victim—the person directly injured by an act of violence or a person who witnessed domestic violence happen in the home they live in.
- A related victim—a close family member or financial dependant of a person who was killed by an act of violence.
- A parent secondary victim—a parent of a child victim; the child must have been under 18 at the time of the act of violence.
- A witness secondary victim—a person who saw or heard an act of violence being committed against someone else.
If you have experienced one or more of these things, you can apply for financial assistance.
Every person’s situation is different. The amount we can pay and the types of things we pay for will depend on the:
- type of victim you are—primary, secondary or related victim
- crime committed against you
- injuries suffered.
If you have incurred an expense to help you recover, we may be able to pay you back. Therefore, the amount you receive depends on how much it costs you to recover.
If you are a primary victim or a related victim, you may also receive a one-off recognition payment. The amount you receive depends on the type of crime that was committed against you. We will need to assess your application to work out the amount you may receive. Recognition payments range from $3,000 to $15,000.
Evidence Required
- You need to apply within 3 years of the act of violence.
- If the victim was a child at the time of the violence, they can apply for up to 3 years after they turn 18.
- Depending on your circumstances, we may grant an extension if the violence happened more than 3 years ago. You just need to tell us in your application why it has taken you longer than 3 years to apply.
- You must report the violence before you apply.
Assistance Available
Although maximum payouts are listed below, the average amount of financial assistance paid by VOCAT to a victim is around $7,700. Keep in mind that every person’s situation is different.
The maximum amount of financial assistance depends on the details of the crime and if you are a primary, secondary or related victim.
Evidence Required
You will need evidence about how the crime has affected you, such as:
- evidence from your doctor or hospital to prove that you have been injured
- reports from your psychologist about any psychological injury you have suffered
- proof of loss of earnings
- any other expenses that resulted from the crime.
Assistance Available
Anyone who has suffered an injury (physical or psychological) as a result of a violent crime in Tasmania may be able to apply for Victims of Crime Assistance.
This may include:
- the victim of a violent crime (known as the primary victim),
- a secondary victim such as somebody who has witnessed a violent crime, or a parent of a child victim, or
- a related victim, such as a spouse, partner or an immediate family member
Awards range from $0 to the prescribed maximum depending on the category of victim and the effects of the crime. The Commissioner is the only person who can decide the award amount.
The legislation sets a maximum award amount. The maximum amounts are explained in the below:
- Primary victim of a single offence $34,759
- Primary victim of more than one offence $57,932
- Secondary victim $23,173
- Single related victim $11,586
- Funeral expenses $11,586
Evidence Required
- Please give as much detail as you can about the date of the offence, the police station it was reported to, the name of the investigating officer, the name of the offender (if known), as well as how the crime has affected you.
- The application form is a statutory declaration and is required to be completed and witnessed prior to making a claim.
- Once an application has been received, a Criminal Injuries Compensation Commissioner will review the documentation and decide if your application meets legislative requirements and if any other documents are required.
- Victims Support Services will let you know if any further documents are needed. For example, you may need to provide supporting information such as a report from a psychologist, doctor or dentist, which outlines the injuries you have sustained.
Assistance Available
- n some circumstances a recognition payment can be made to acknowledge the harm experienced because of a violent crime.
- The payment depends on the type of crime. In some cases, the seriousness of your injuries and your circumstances will be taken into consideration.
Recognition payments are available to primary victims and family members or dependants of homicide victims. - You can look at the payment amounts for each crime in Regulation 8 of the Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance) Regulation 2016 .
- The lowest payment under the Regulation applies to crime with relatively low criminal penalties. For example, a common assault may receive a recognition payment of $1158.
- The highest payment applies to crimes with the highest maximum prison sentences. For example, a victim of child sexual assault may receive a recognition payment of $17402.
- If you experienced the act of violence before 1 July 2016 you may be eligible for a special assistance payment instead of a recognition payment.
Evidence Required
The things needed for your application are:
- evidence that the crime happened to you
- evidence that you were injured
- proof of your expenses
The things needed from you are:
- consent to contact support services who have assisted you in relation to the crime
- consent to contact professionals who you have treated you in relation to the crime
- letters or medical certificates confirming you were injured by the crime (please do not send images or video of your injuries)
- copies of invoices or quotes for expenses you are claiming.
To get evidence that the crime happened to you, we usually ask police for records they have about the crime.
Assistance Available
You may be eligible to claim compensation under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 2003 if you are a:
- victim of an offence and are injured and/or experience financial loss as a result of the injury
- close relative of a person killed as a result of an offence, eg a spouse, defacto, parent, grandparent, step-parent, child, step-child, or grandchild, and experience financial loss as a result of that offence.
Compensation can be sought for an incident reported to the police regardless of whether a person has been identified, charged or convicted of the offence.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is designed to provide compensation if you suffer bodily harm, mental or nervous shock or pregnancy resulting from an offence.
Evidence Required
You have three years from the date of the offence, or the last offence, to lodge an application. Your application should be made once you have reached an acceptable stage of recovery from your injuries, except where interim payments are sought for treatment, reports or funeral costs.
ASSISTANCE & PROGRAMS FOR Domestic violence
The program will support eligible victim-survivors (regardless of gender or visa status) with financial support of up to $5,000 (including up to $1,500 in cash and the remaining funds in goods and services). Support will include safety planning, risk assessment and referrals to other essential services for up to 12 weeks.
Womensline is available 24/7, 365 days a year and can provide:
- Emergency transport and accommodation
- Specialist crisis counselling
- Safety planning
- Information, referrals & support
- Safe accommodation for pets through our Pets in Crisis program
Tel: 1800 811 811
Find the help you need, now and nearby.
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Ask Izzyis a free and anonymous website to find national and local support. It includes services like housing, meals, healthcare, counselling, legal advice and many more.
24/7 crisis support & counselling
Tel: 13 11 14
Information, referrals, and support for people affected by family and domestic violence.
If you are experiencing family violence, good shepherd can help with:
- Information on financial counselling services and assistance with the referral process
- Information about other financial support available such as a No Interest Loan from Good Shepherd
- Borrow up to $2000 for legal costs / $3000 for housing related expenses
- Application process for eligible funding opportunities
- Assistance with accessing Centrelink services
Relationships Australia promotes the importance of respectful relationships for both individual mental health and general community outcomes, and through our advocacy we strive to influence policy, systems and services that empower everyone in Australia to build and maintain respect in all their relationships.
Tel: 1300 364 277
Relationships Australia | Achieving positive and respectful relationships
Full Stop Australia is one of the country’s leading sexual, domestic and family violence response and recovery services. Established in the early 1970s by a group of feminists in Redfern, Sydney, the organisation now reaches communities in every state and territory, with the following key focus areas:
Support: offering free, 24/7, confidential, trauma specialist counselling to people of all genders who have been subject to sexual, domestic and family violence, as well as their friends, colleagues and family members.
Advocacy: encouraging governments, businesses, and communities to make changes to laws, policies, and practices to better prevent and respond to sexual, domestic and family violence.
Education: offering best-practice training and professional services to support safe and respectful workplaces, educational environments, and communities.
Tel: 1800 385 378
Provides free twenty-four hour, seven-day-a-week telephone, online counselling and SMS, information, support and referral for children, young people and adults affected by sexual assault or domestic or family violence in Australia.
Tel: 1800 737 732
Education: Understand the legal landscape, empowering you to make informed decisions.
Empowerment: Find strength in shared experiences and expert advice.
Equip: Gain practical tools to navigate challenges with resilience and confidence.
Call for free counselling and referral services.
Tel: 1800 65 64 63
Provide you with information, help you to plan for your safety, support you at court, and connect you to local services, such as housing or legal advice.
Tel: 1800 938 227
The NSW Domestic Violence Line provides twenty-four hour, seven-day-a-week crisis intervention services including crisis counselling, advocacy and referrals for women with or without children experiencing intimate partner/ex-partner violence.
The NSW Domestic Violence Line can assist with referrals to crisis accommodation and women’s refuges.
Tel: 1800 656 463
Support payment options and/or Crisis Payment
Tel: 132 850
The NSW Domestic Violence Line provides counselling and referrals to women experiencing domestic violence. The female caseworker will listen to you. She won’t blame you or make you do anything you don’t want to do. She can give you information on what you can do and help you decide on your options.
Tel: 1800 65 64 63
The Rent Choice Start Safely provides short to medium-term financial support for people escaping domestic or family violence. The subsidy helps people secure private rental accommodation, so they do not have to return to the violent situation.
Rent Choice Start Safely | Communities and Justice (nsw.gov.au)
The Escaping Violence Payment (EVP) is an Australian Government program, designed to help people aged 18 and above who have:
- recently experienced intimate partner domestic violence
- have a changed living situation
- and are experiencing financial stress.
The EVP program can provide:
- financial assistance such as vouchers for essential items
- goods and services such as removalists, bonds or basics for a new home wrap-around support including safe and confidential services.
Tel: 1800 387 387
Escaping Violence Payment Program NSW / ACT | Wesley Mission
Legal Aid NSW is collective to get legal help, free advice to disadvantaged people about legal issues affecting them and to see fact sheets and resources to help you with your problem.
We help Queenslanders find pathways to safety, away from domestic, family, and sexual violence. We provide emergency transport and accommodation for your entire family including pets. We also provide safety planning, crisis counselling, intervention, information, and referrals at no cost to you.
Tel: 1800 811 811
Domestic and family violence help in Queensland (dvconnect.org)
The Domestic Violence Prevention Centre provides a wide range of programs to support women and their children affected by domestic and family violence. We also work with men who perpetrate domestic violence.
Tel: (07) 5591 4222
The Purple Book contains general information that may assist you to make some decisions about your situation, however we recommend that you seek assistance and support. A list of useful numbers and websites is included at the back of the book.
We give legal help to financially disadvantaged people about criminal, family and civil law matters. See a full list of what we do. We are committed to providing a quality service to all our customers, as outlined in our service charter.
WIRE is the only free generalist service in Victoria inclusive of women, and gender diverse people from all backgrounds and experiences. We can help you with any issue you’re facing, including family violence, financial abuse, housing and more.
Tel: 1300 134 130
Help for people who are experiencing family violence or who need support with the care and wellbeing of children and young people.
The Victims of Crime Helpline can connect you with services or you can use this website to learn more about the justice system in Victoria and what to do next.
Tel: 1800 819 817
Legal representation, family dispute resolution and non-legal advocacy to those who need it most.
Helping Victorians with their legal issues | Victoria Legal Aid
Specialist domestic and family violence services are available in Perth and regionally and offer a variety of support, advocacy, counselling services, legal support and other resources.
Domestic and Family Violence Services in WA – Centre For Women’s Safety and Wellbeing
For people experiencing family or domestic violence, the impact of the abuse is long-lasting and the knock-on effects damage our society as a whole.
Anglicare WA offers a range of services to assist victims of family and domestic violence, to help them build healthy relationships and develop skills to thrive in the future.
We also work with perpetrators to help them manage their anger and learn to communicate in a healthy, effective and safe manner.
Tel: 1300 114 446
Relationships Australia WA has a long-standing history of commitment to providing services which support people affected by family and domestic violence. Based on best practice principles and guidelines, our programs have been developed for women who have experienced violence and children who have witnessed violence perpetrators of violence. Clinical staff in every program receive training about family and domestic violence and ongoing development to ensure appropriate supports occur.
Tel: 08 6164 0270
Crisis Care provides Western Australia’s after-hours response to reported concerns for a child’s safety and wellbeing. Additionally, they provide information and referrals for people experiencing crisis and can be contacted for advice around homelessness services. Those experiencing Family and Domestic Violence may also contact Crisis Care to discuss accommodation assistance and support services.
Tel: 1800 199 008
At Luma, our FDV specialists provide a safe and welcoming place for people to have their voice heard without judgement, access support, and to reduce the impacts of family and domestic violence.
Tel: 08 6330 5400
Family & Domestic Violence – Luma – FDV Services And Resources