- Date:
- 15 Oct 2024
1. Introduction and purpose
When making decisions about financial assistance, FAS assessors must consider and apply these guidelines.
2. Key terms
Definitions of the key terms used in these guidelines, unless specified otherwise.
3. Time limits to apply
Time limits differ depending on the victim’s age and the type of violent act.
4. Reporting a violent act to police
Applicants must provide information in their application form to show that a violent act has been reported to police within a reasonable time, or they must identify ‘special circumstances’ for not reporting the violent act to police.
5. Previous VOCAT applications
Regarding eligibility for FAS for applicants who have previously been a VOCAT applicant.
6. Primary victims
A person who was injured because of a violent act is a primary victim.
7. Secondary victims
Secondary victims are present when a violent act occurs and are injured as a result of witnessing that act, or are parents who get injured as a result of a violent act committed against their child.
8. Related victims
A related victim is a close family member, a dependant, or had an intimate personal relationship with a loved one who passed away because of a violent act.
9. Violent Acts
To be eligible for financial assistance, the FAS must be satisfied that a primary or secondary victim was a victim of a violent act.
10. Injury
Victims must show in their application that they suffered an injury as a direct result of a violent act.
11. Authorised Representatives
Victims can nominate someone to assist them with their application.
12. Payments to Funds in Court
In some instances, the FAS will pay assistance to the Funds in Court office, to be managed on behalf of a victim.
13. Summary of financial assistance available from the FAS
Summary which includes a breakdown of assistance available for the three victim types: primary, secondary and related.
14. Interim assistance
The purpose of interim assistance is to meet the immediate needs of victims whilst they wait for the FAS to make a final decision about their application.
15. Assistance for primary victims
The types of assistance that eligible primary victims may wish to claim from FAS.
16. Special financial assistance
Special financial assistance is a payment made only to primary victims on behalf of the community.
17. Assistance for secondary victims
The types of assistance that eligible secondary victims may wish to claim from FAS.
18. Assistance for related victims
The types of assistance that eligible related victims may wish to claim from FAS.
19. Funeral expenses
The FAS can provide funeral expenses to an applicant for the costs associated with the funeral of a primary victim.
20. Legal costs
Although the FAS is designed to be accessible for all victims, some victims may benefit from assistance from a lawyer.
21. Character
A victim's character, behaviour, attitude and past criminal history may all be considered by FAS when deciding an application.
22. Payments from other schemes
Victims may be eligible for assistance, payment, or compensation from other schemes for the same expense or violent act.
23. Repayments
The FAS has the power to require victims to repay assistance in limited circumstances.
24. Variation of a VOCAT award
A variation application is a request to change an award of assistance made by Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT).
25. Variation of FAS assistance
A variation application is a request to change the assistance paid by the FAS.
26. Internal reviews
If an applicant is not satisfied with a FAS decision, they can ask the FAS to review that decision.
Updated