Victims Support Scheme

​If you are the victim of crime, you may be entitled to support under the Vi​ctims Support Scheme. You may be able to get help even if no one was charged or co​nvicted.

New laws came into force on 3 June 2013, which changed the way support is provided for victims. If you made an application before 3 June 2013, you should get legal advice to see how these chan​​ges might affect you.  

​What su​pport is available?

If you are: 

• someone who has been injured as a direct result of a violent crime (known as a primary victim)
• a parent, step parent or guardian of a primary victim
• a dependant family member of a primary victim,

you may be entitled to the following support: 

• counselling
• payment for immediate needs, such as emergency medical, or moving costs
• financial assistance, for things like loss of earnings and medical treatment
• a recognition payment.

You also may be entitled to counselling if you

• witnessed the crime against a primary victim, or
• are a parent or guardian who becomes aware of a crime committed against their child when the child was under 18 and the child was injured or killed.  

There are strict time limits from when the act of violence occurred, or from when a victim turned 18, for applying for some of the support available under the Victims Support Scheme. You should get legal advice about which time limits apply in your situation.

How can I find out more information?

You can find more information and application forms on the Victims Services website.

You can call the Victims Access Line on 1800 633 063.

Aboriginal victims of crime can call the Aboriginal Contact Line on 1800 019 123.  

You can als​o visit Victim Services in person at their offices in Parramatta:

Level 1, Justice Precinct Offices 
160 Marsden Street 
PARRAMATTA NSW 2150

If you w​ant to make an application to Victims Services, you should get legal advice.

What if I have already made a claim?

Before 3 June 2013, victims of an act of violence could apply for compensation under the old scheme. Applications made before 3 June 2013 will now be d​ecided under the new Victims Support Scheme. If you have an existing claim you may be entitled to support, including financial assistance, under the new scheme.

For information about what you ma​​y be entitled to, go to the Victims Services website.   

If you applied for vi​ctims compensation before 3 June 2013, you should get legal a​​dvice about how the new scheme will affect your claim.

Can I apply for any other compensation?

You may be able to make a civil claim against the person who committed​ the crime against you.

In some cases a court may order that an offender pay you compensation for your injuries. This is called a criminal compensation order.   

If you have:

• applied for compensation in a civil case, or
• may be entitled to get a criminal compensation order, or
• an order has already been made or paid to you,

you are not eligible for support under the scheme provided by Victims Servi​​ces. If you have already received financial support from Victims Services you may have to pay it back if you make a civil claim or a criminal compensation order is made.

You shou​ld get legal advice if you want to find out more about criminal compensation orders or making a civil claim. ​