18.4 Distress

Related victims are eligible for assistance to be paid in recognition of the distress already experienced, or likely to be experienced, due to the passing of a loved one.[37]

The FAS will pay a distress payment to related victims, provided they can show:

  • they are a related victim, and
  • they had a genuine personal relationship with the primary victim at the time of their death.

The payment amounts for different related victims are as follows:

Relationship to primary victimFlat payment amount
Spouse or domestic partner of the primary victim$20,000
Children and step-children of the primary victim$20,000
Parents, guardians or step-parents of the primary victim$20,000
Siblings or step-siblings of the primary victim$20,000
A person who had an intimate personal relationship with the primary victim$6,500
Any other close family members of the primary victim$6,500
Financial dependants of the primary victim (non-child dependant)$6,500

The FAS can also make additional payments if certain criteria are met, in consideration of the related victim’s individual circumstances and distress suffered.


Footnotes

[37] Section 16(2)(c) of the Act.

Updated