Financial assistance for related victims

You are a related victim if a loved one has passed away because of a violent crime and you were:

• a close family member of the person
• a dependant of the person
• in an intimate personal relationship with the person.

Some examples of related victims are:

• spouse or domestic partner
• parent, guardian or step-parent
• child, step-child or child through guardianship
• sibling or step-sibling, or
• someone else your loved one considered to be a close family member.

The crime must be reported to the police (unless there are special circumstances for not reporting to the police). A victim does not have to report the violent act, it can be reported by other parties.

The offender does not need to be charged or convicted.

The crime must be reported to the police within a reasonable time (unless there are special circumstances).

See our legal guidelines for more information on 'reasonable time', and special circumstances for not reporting the crime.

People over the age of 18 at the time of the offence must apply within:

• 10 years from the time of offence - victims of sexual or family violence offences.
• 3 years - victims of other violent crimes.

People under the age of 18 at the time of the offence must apply by the time they turn 21. There is no time limit if you are a victim of family violence or child abuse.

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

See our legal guidelines for more on applications outside of time limits.

FAS may pay for reasonable medical expenses.

These may include:

• hospital and ambulance services
• x-rays, tests, and scans
• psychiatric and psychological treatment
• medication and basic medical equipment
• dental services
• optometry, including the replacement of prescription glasses
• physiotherapy
• chiropractic treatment
• hearing aids
• osteopathy
• speech pathology
• rehabilitation services
• acupuncture, and
• occupational therapy.

This is not an exhaustive list, and the FAS may also consider medical expenses which are not in the above list.

We rely on a quote from the service provider. If you want us to pay for medical expenses, you will need to provide this quote as part of your application.

If the medical service required is a profession regulated by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), then the provider must hold a current AHPRA registration.

FAS may pay for loss of income you would have received from your loved one if they were still alive. This is limited to money you would have received within 2 years of their death.

Applicants must show that they relied upon this money and why they expected to receive it.

Where your circumstances are unusual or rare, we will consider applications for other expenses to help you recover.

These circumstances could include:

• personal circumstances
• the seriousness of the offence
• the seriousness of your injuries
• pre-existing factors such as mental illness, disability or cultural considerations.

You must provide detail and documentary evidence to satisfy the FAS of both of the following:

• that your circumstances are exceptional, and
• that the assistance you are seeking will help you recover.

We will consider every application on a case-by-case basis. We will consider your needs, the evidence you provide and whether the expenses are reasonable.

FAS may pay a distress payment to a related victim of up to $20,000. This is in recognition of the pain, anxiety, sorrow and suffering that a victim experiences after a loved one passes away.

You must show:

• you are a related victim
• you had a genuine personal relationship with the primary victim at the time of their death
• evidence of the distress you experienced or are likely to experience in the future.

The payments are set amounts and the amount will depend on your relationship to your loved one.

FAS can pay for the cost of a funeral of a primary victim.

Funeral expenses do not count towards the maximum award amount payable to related victims.

Examples of evidence you might need for your application include:

• receipts, quotes and invoices showing expenses
• hospital or medical records
• reports or letters from registered medical or health professionals, mental health practitioners or accredited social workers
• statement made to the police or other documents from the police
• Victim Impact Statement
• documents showing relationship to a primary victim including birth, adoption, marriage, or relationship registration certificates or other documentation showing the relationship
• documents confirming the passing of a primary victim including death or medical certificate with cause of death certificates
• birth or adoption certificate
• passport
• driver’s license
• medical reports
• court documents, such as a judgement or sentencing remarks about the violent crime
• financial documents such as pay slips and bank statements
• itemised invoices
• statutory declaration
• bank or credit card statement showing purchase history
• quotes for services/treatments.

An invoice or quote must include:

• itemisation of cost
• ABN
• business name and contact information
• business payment details (BSB and account number).