New compensation, expanded eligibility and extended time frames for victims of crime

Victoria’s victims of crime compensation scheme is being expanded in a major overhaul. Here’s how the new system will work.

Victorian Minister for Corrections Enver Erdogan and Corrections Victoria Commissioner Larissa Strong. Picture: Alison Wynd

Victims of crime will be able to access up to $25,000 more and eligibility for financial assistance will be expanded under a major Allan government overhaul.

It will also be easier for victims and their family members to access payments as the current requirement to attend court is removed and time frames for applying for financial support are extended.

The Allan government will announce the major changes today as it prepares to scrap the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) and replace it with an online financial assistance scheme.

Currently, primary victims of crime – a person injured as a direct of violence – can access up to $60,000 for medical, counselling and safety-related expenses, as well as loss of income or lost or damaged clothing worn at the time.

The new scheme, which will come into place on November 18, will allow some victims to access new compensation of up to $25,000 in certain circumstances.

Secondary victims – someone who is injured at the scene or witnesses the violence – and related victims, a family member, dependent or intimate partner of someone injured of killed as a direct result, will continue to be able to access up to $50,000.

But eligibility for related victims will be expanded to recognise Aboriginal kinship relations, LGBTQI+ relationships and other family members, including in-laws.

Under the changes, financial assistance will no longer be pooled and capped at $100,000 when delivered to a family affected by crime, meaning individual family members will each be able to access up to $50,000.

In a statement, the government said the move would “significantly reduce potential conflict between family members” and allow them to apply for assistance in their own time.

Application time frames will also be extended from two years to three years, or for sexual offences or family violence cases to 10 years.

Financial Assistance Scheme CEO Marnie Williams said victims of crime will now be able to “focus on their emotional and physical recovery” without the additional worry of attending court.

Victim Support Minister Enver Erdogan said the “easy to access and straightforward” new system would cut back red tape for victims.

“By making it easier to get financial assistance, we give victims a clear path forward – helping them to move on with their lives,” he said.

Originally published as New compensation, expanded eligibility and extended time frames for victims of crime