Victims Support Scheme

What is the Victims Support Scheme? 

The Victims Support Scheme provides counselling, financial assistance and a recognition payment to victims of an act of violence or act of modern slavery in NSW.  

Who can apply?

You may get help through the Victims Support Scheme if you have been injured due to a violent crime or modern slavery that happened in NSW. 

Support is available for:

• a person who has been injured as a direct result of a violent crime or modern slavery (primary victim)
• a person who has been injured as a direct result of witnessing a violent crime (secondary victim)
• a parent, step-parent or guardian who is caring for a child who has been injured as a direct result of a violent crime or modern slavery
• an immediate family member of a homicide victim (family victim)
• a related family member of a homicide victim, who is not a family victim.

To learn more about who can apply for victims support, see Eligibility criteria. If you are a family member of a homicide victim, see Support for family members of a homicide victim.

The type of support you can get, the information you need to provide and the time limits to apply will depend on your situation.

Some people are not eligible for support, even if they are a victim of crime. For more information on persons who are not eligible, see section 25 of the Victims Rights and Support Act 2013. 

There are also circumstances where support may be declined or the amount reduced. For more information on those circumstances, see section 44 of the Victims Rights and Support Act 2013.  

Factors to be considered under section 44 include, but are not limited to:

• any behaviour on the part of the deceased which has directly or indirectly contributed to their death, including past criminal activity
• any money the applicant has received from another source in relation to the violent crime, including under an insurance policy or other agreement.

What support is available?

The Victims Support Scheme provides: 

• Counselling to help you recover from the psychological and emotional impacts of a crime. 
  
• Financial assistance for immediate needs to help cover urgent health, safety or security expenses resulting from violent crime or modern slavery.  
  
• Financial assistance for economic loss to cover other expenses resulting from a violent crime or from modern slavery.  
  
• Assistance to pay for funeral expenses  on behalf of family members of a homicide victim. 
  
• A recognition payment to acknowledge that you have been the victim of a violent crime or modern slavery.  
  

When do I need to apply?

There are time limits for applying for victims support, which vary based on the type of support you are seeking and the violent crime. 

To learn more about the time frames to make an application, visit Eligibility criteria.  

How do I apply for support?

To apply for victims support, you will need to submit an application form and provide a copy of your current government-issued identification.  

Depending on the type of support you’re applying for, you may also need to provide additional information and documents. You can learn more about what you will need to provide on the webpage for each support type.

For more information about the steps to apply for victims support, visit Make an application. 

Who can I ask for help?

If you have any questions, please call our free and confidential Victims Access Line on 1800 633 063 or the Aboriginal Contact Line on 1800 019 123 (Mon – Fri, 9am-5pm) or email us at vs@dcj.nsw.gov.au.  

A support worker, friend or family member may also be able to assist you.  

Want more information?

All victims of crime can get free and confidential information, advice and referrals. Contact our Victims Access Line or Aboriginal Contact Line, or visit Information for victims of crime in NSW.