If you have suffered a physical or psychological injury as a result of an act of violence committed in Queensland, you may be eligible for financial assistance from the Queensland Government to assist with your recovery.
The application process can be complex and overwhelming, particularly for people dealing with the ongoing effects of trauma. Victims of Crime Australia provides free assistance to help eligible applicants prepare and submit their applications.
Providing information about eligibility and application requirements
Preparing applications and supporting material
Submitting the application on behalf of applicants
There is no cost to you for this service. Where an application is approved, Victim Assist Queensland covers the legal fees associated with preparing the application.
Tell us about your situation and we'll help you understand your options. All enquiries are confidential and free of charge.
If you have been injured by an act of violence committed in Queensland, you may apply for financial assistance from the Queensland Government Department of Justice to help you recover.
To support your application, you need to provide:
Financial Assistance may include:
A one-off payment made to Primary Victims to acknowledge the impact of the crime. The amount payable ranges from $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the offence committed against you.
This payment is designed to support your recovery from the violence. The amount depends on the actual costs incurred. Supporting evidence, including receipts, quotes or invoices, is required.
The amount of financial assistance available varies depending on individual circumstances, including the type of crime, the injuries sustained and the expenses you've incurred because of it.
Due to the current volume of applications, applications may take several months for your application to be assessed and paid. Most applicants can expect to wait between 3 to 12 months.
Once approved, a Notice of Decision is issued and payment is made to your nominated bank account within 10 business days.
If you have an urgent expense, and meet the criteria for urgent support, your claim may be prioritised.
Applications are generally required to be lodged within three years of the act of violence, however in some circumstances, an extension may be granted.
To support your application, you need to provide:
There is no cost to you for this service.
If an application is successful, Victim Assist Queensland pays Victims of Crime Australia a fixed fee of $500 for assistance provided in preparing the application.
For crisis support and assistance, the following services are available.
A Queensland domestic violence helpline for women and their children.
A Queensland domestic violence helpline for men and their children.
A Queensland sexual assault helpline for anyone who has been impacted by sexual abuse, including friends and family of survivors of assault, whether recent or historic.
A Queensland helpline for individuals and their pets escaping domestic violence. DV Connect works in partnership with the RSPCA Queensland to provide safe accommodation for pets. Contact them through Victim Connect.
A Queensland hotline for anyone experiencing homelessness with information about emergency accommodation, meals and showers and counselling health care.
A Queensland helpline for anyone who experiences, witnesses or suspects that an older person is being abused by someone they know and trust.
The program provides support to vulnerable Queenslanders experiencing immediate financial hardship and provides access to items such as vouchers for food, transport and essential items, contributions to payment of third-party accounts such as utility bills, and through the provision of food parcels. Emergency Relief aims to prevent future financial crisis by referring people to appropriate financial and social support services.
A 24 hour domestic violence helpline.
A 24 hour helpline for young people aged 5 – 25.
A 24 hour crisis hotline for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders.
A 24 hour helpline for anyone experiencing depression, suicide, anxiety and other mental illnesses.
A one-off non-taxable payment for some benefit recipients if you've experienced an extreme circumstance and are in severe financial hardship.
If debt is building up, you're having trouble paying your rent, buying food for your family, or simply feeling overwhelmed by your financial situation — the Salvation Army may be able to help with financial support services.
Ask Izzy is an online directory that lists support services for people in need. It's free and anonymous and can be accessed on your phone, even if you don't have data.
Listings include:
Ask Izzy also provides listings for:
Victims of Crime Australia is a law firm that assists victims of violent crime in Queensland to prepare and submit applications for financial compensation to Victim Assist Queensland, the statutory body responsible for administering victim support services.
The firm provides procedural assistance to applicants throughout the application process and supports compliance with legislative and administrative requirements.
Victims of Crime Australia supports the rights of victims in accordance with the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009 and the Charter of Victims' Rights.
Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009
Charter of Victims' Rights
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If you have experienced domestic and family violence or sexual assault in Queensland, you may be eligible for financial assistance under the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009.
The application process can be complex and overwhelming, particularly for people living with the effects of trauma. We understand this and can help you prepare and submit your application.
You may still be eligible for financial assistance even if the offender has not been identified, charged or convicted.
Victim Assist Queensland does not require a criminal conviction before it can consider an application. What matters is whether there is sufficient evidence that an act of violence occurred and that you suffered an injury as a result.
Applications must generally be lodged within 3 years of the violence ending. However, Victim Assist Queensland recognises that victims of domestic and family violence and sexual assault often face significant barriers to coming forward, and extensions of time may be granted.
If you are applying outside the 3-year time limit, you will need to explain why it has taken longer for you to make your application.
Generally, the violence must have been reported to one of the following before you can apply:
If you were unable to report the violence, Victim Assist Queensland may still accept your application. You will simply need to explain why you were unable to make a report.
If you have been injured in a car, motorcycle or bicycle accident, or as a pedestrian, you may be entitled to compensation under two separate Queensland laws: the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994 and the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009.
It is important to understand that Victim Assist Queensland operates as a scheme of last resort. This means that, before applying for financial assistance through Victim Assist Queensland, you must first make and pursue any compensation claim available to you under the Motor Accident Insurance Act 1994.
Victims of Crime Australia can assist you with both claims and help ensure that your entitlements are properly pursued.
Your motor accident claim must be made first. A motor accident compensation claim may cover:
Financial assistance through Victim Assist Queensland can only be considered after you have started a motor vehicle accident compensation claim. Because Victim Assist Queensland is a scheme of last resort, it can only provide assistance for expenses and losses that are not covered by your motor accident claim or another source of compensation. The assistance available is generally limited to:
If you have been injured by an act of violence at work, on the way to or from work, or while on a work break, you may be entitled to compensation under two separate Queensland laws: the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 and the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009.
It is important to understand that Victim Assist Queensland operates as a scheme of last resort. This means that, before applying for financial assistance through Victim Assist Queensland, you must first make and pursue any workers' compensation claim available to you.
Victims of Crime Australia can assist you with both claims and help ensure that your entitlements are properly pursued.
Your workers' compensation claim must be made first. A workers' compensation claim may cover:
Financial assistance through Victim Assist Queensland can only be considered after you have started a workers' compensation claim. Because Victim Assist Queensland is a scheme of last resort, it can only provide assistance for expenses and losses that are not covered by your workers' compensation claim or another source of compensation. As a result, the assistance available through Victim Assist Queensland is generally limited.