Can I apply for financial assistance?

Eligibility requirements for the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS).

On this page

Who can apply?

You can apply for the scheme if you are injured by a violent crime in Victoria. This can be a mental or physical injury, or both. This also includes trauma.

You must report the crime to the police (unless you have special circumstances for not reporting to police). The offender does not need to be charged or convicted of the crime.

When do I need to apply?

Adults must apply within:

  • 10 years from sexual offence or family violence.
  • 3 years from other violent crimes.

There is no time limit for children if the violent crime involves family violence or child abuse. For all other crimes, a child must apply within 3 years of turning 18.

In some circumstances, the new scheme may be able to accept late applications.

What you might receive

Every person’s situation is different. The amount we can pay and the types of things we pay for will depend on the:

  1. type of victim you are — primary, secondary or related victim
  2. crime committed against you
  3. injuries you suffered.

Type of victim

Primary victims

You are a primary victim if:

  • the crime was committed against you, or
  • you are a child who saw, heard or were exposed to the crime, or
  • you were injured trying to:
    • rescue another victim
    • stop a violent crime
    • arrest someone who committed a violent crime.

 Assistance for primary victims

Secondary victims

You are a secondary victim if:

  • you witnessed the crime, or
  • you are injured because you are the parent or guardian of a child who was the victim of a violent crime.

Assistance for secondary victims

You are a related victim if:

  • you are a close family member of a loved one who passed away because of a violent crime, or
  • you are a dependant of a loved one who passed away because of a violent crime, or
  • you were in an intimate personal relationship with a loved one who passed away because of a violent crime.

Assistance for related victims

What is a violent act?

We consider a violent act to be an offence (or multiple offences) that directly results in injury or death.

The violent activity must occur in Victoria. The offender does not need to be charged or convicted, but you must report the violent act to the police.

Relevant offences

The scheme covers the following types of offences:

  • homicide
  • assault
  • rape
  • threats to kill
  • robbery
  • recklessly causing injury
  • culpable driving
  • sexual offences
  • image-based sexual offences
  • stalking
  • kidnapping
  • home invasion.

These are only examples of the types of offences the scheme covers. The scheme covers a large range of different offences. But the crime must be a violent offence.

The scheme does not cover:

  • offences related to property damage or loss (such as criminal damage or theft)
  • breaches of intervention orders (unless the incident also involves a violent act).

Updated

Back to top