Financial assistance for secondary victims

You are a secondary victim if:

• you are injured as a direct result of witnessing the crime, or
• you are injured because you are the parent or guardian of a child who was the victim of a violent crime.

The crime must be reported to the police (unless there are special circumstances for not reporting to 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 the offence - victims of a sexual or family violence offence.
• 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 information 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.

Where your circumstances are unusual or rare, we will consider applications for loss of earnings due to injury.

The FAS can only provide for lost income for a 2-year period.

We can pay up to $20,000 for income if you have been unable to work.

We can also cover if you have been able to work, but not to the level you were able to work before the crime occurred.

We decide your total lost earnings based on the evidence you provide in your application, including medical evidence.

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.

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 secondary 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
• Personal Safety Intervention Order or Family Violence Intervention Order
• documents showing relationship to your child including birth, adoption or other documentation showing the relationship
• birth certificate
• passport
• driver’s license
• court documents, such as judgements 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).