Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Lawyers – Bendigo & Victoria

Financial Assistance for Victims of Crime

If you have been injured or affected by a crime, you may be entitled to financial assistance through the Victorian Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS).

At O'Haire Legal, we help victims prepare and lodge applications for financial assistance. We guide you through the process, explain your eligibility, gather the required supporting material and communicate with the Scheme on your behalf.

We act for clients throughout Bendigo and across Victoria.

What is the Financial Assistance Scheme?

The Victorian Financial Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance to people who have suffered harm as a result of violent crime.

Depending on your circumstances, assistance may be available for:

  • counselling

  • medical expenses

  • dental expenses

  • psychological treatment

  • safety-related expenses

  • loss of earnings

  • clothing damaged during the offence

  • recovery expenses in exceptional circumstances

  • funeral expenses

  • Special Financial Assistance (SFA) for eligible primary victims.

The Scheme is designed to assist victims recover from the effects of crime rather than compensate them in the same way as a personal injury claim.

Who Can Apply?

You may be eligible if you are:

  • A primary victim who was directly subjected to an act of violence.

  • A secondary victim who witnessed a violent crime or suffered harm because of the crime.

  • A related victim following the death of a family member caused by an act of violence.

  • A parent or guardian applying on behalf of a child.

Eligibility depends on the circumstances of each case.

Types of Crimes

Applications commonly arise from:

  • Family violence

  • Sexual offences

  • Assaults

  • Armed robbery

  • Stalking

  • Serious threats

  • Child abuse

  • Homicide

  • Other violent criminal offences

How We Can Help

We can:

  • Assess your eligibility.

  • Explain the application process.

  • Obtain and review police information.

  • Gather medical and psychological evidence.

  • Prepare and lodge your application.

  • Communicate with the Financial Assistance Scheme.

  • Apply for additional assistance where appropriate.

  • Assist with variation applications if circumstances change.

We aim to make the process as straightforward and stress-free as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • In most cases, the crime should be reported to police within a reasonable time. There are exceptions depending on the circumstances.

  • The time limits for applying to the Victorian Financial Assistance Scheme vary depending on the victim's age when the violence occurred and the nature of the violence. Under the general rule, applications must be made within three years after the act of violence occurred, or for related victims or persons incurring funeral expenses, within three years after the primary victim's death

  • Usually not. Most applications are determined on the written material provided.

  • Yes. Counselling is one of the most common forms of assistance available under the Scheme.

  • Yes. Applications may be made on behalf of children who have been victims of violent crime.

  • In most cases legal costs for eligible applications are paid by the Financial Assistance Scheme rather than by the applicant.