Special financial assistance is a payment made to a primary victim on behalf of the community in recognition of the harm suffered as a direct result of a violent act. Special financial assistance is paid in addition to other assistance available to primary victims and is not considered as part of the $60,000 maximum.
Secondary and related victims are not eligible for special financial assistance.
The FAS can pay special financial assistance to primary victims where:
- a violent act was committed against the primary victim, or
- the victim was a child and was injured as a direct result of hearing, witnessing, or otherwise being exposed to the effects of the violent act, and
- the victim experienced or suffered a significant adverse effect as a direct result of the violent act which includes any grief, distress, trauma or injury.
Generally, a victim who is injured because they were trying to:
- arrest someone they believe was committing a violent act
- prevent the commission of a violent act, or
- aid or rescue someone who was a direct victim of a violent act
is not eligible to receive special financial assistance, as the violent act was not committed against them.
This is the starting point, and an applicant may be able to demonstrate the violent act was committed against them rather than being injured during the violent act.
The FAS does not pay special financial assistance as interim assistance, as this will form part of the FAS’s final payment.
The requirements, categories and maximum and minimum amounts for special financial assistance are still subject to the making of the Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance Scheme) Regulations 2024. These guidelines do not override what the regulations say.
Updated