Victims Support Scheme

What is the Victims Support Scheme? 

The Victims Support Scheme assists victims of violent crime, modern slavery and road crime in NSW.

Who can apply?

Support is available for:

• a person who has been injured as a result of a violent crime or modern slavery (primary victim)
• a person who has been injured as a 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 result of a violent crime or modern slavery
• an immediate family member of a person who has died as a result of a homicide (family victim – homicide)
• a related family member of a person who has died as a result of a homicide, who is not a family victim
• an immediate family member of a person who has died as a result of a road crime (family victim – road crime)
• a related family member of a person who has died as a result of a road crime, who is not a family victim.

To learn more about who can apply for victims support, see Eligibility criteria.

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 type of support available to you will depend on what happened and your situation.

The assistance the Victims Support Scheme can provide includes: 

• Counselling to help you recover from the psychological and emotional impacts of a crime or modern slavery. 
  
• 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 what happened. 

To learn more about the time frames to make an application, visit the webpage for the support type you are seeking.

If you are a family member of someone who has died as a result of homicide or a road crime, please see Support for families when someone has died.  

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.