The Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) can help cover costs for victims and surviving family members of violent crime.
About the Financial Assistance Scheme
Assistance you can access via the FAS can include:
- counselling
- medical expenses
- safety-related expenses
- funeral expenses
- distress payments
- loss of earnings, and
- other expenses to help with recovery.
Who is eligible for financial assistance
You may be eligible to receive assistance through the FAS if:
- the crime occurred in Victoria, and
- you were the victim of a violent crime (primary, secondary, or related victim), and
- you have suffered physical injury, psychological injury or trauma from the crime, and
- you have applied to the FAS within the relevant time limits.
The offender does not need to charged or convicted of the crime for you to apply to FAS.
Apply for financial assistance via the FAS
Remember to keep a copy of your "Notice to the Victim" form (also known as a L1 form). We recommend that you provide the police incident number from the form when applying to FAS.
Start an application for the Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS).
Help with your FAS application
Find helpful tips to successfully submit your Financial Assistance Scheme application.
Financial Assistance Scheme helpline
If you have questions or need assistance, you can contact the Financial Assistance Scheme directly. Call the FAS helpline on 1800 161 136, between 8.30am–5.30pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays).
You can also submit an online enquiry.
Victims Assistance Program (VAP)
If you have already been connected to the VAP, your case worker can help you with your application.
Financial assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Victims that are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent can choose to contact the dedicated Marra Yattakunar Team.
You can call Marra Yattakunar FAS helpline on 1800 849 778, between 8.30am - 5.30pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays).
For further information, see the Marra Yattakunar Pathway.
Financial assistance information in other languages
Find information about the FAS in your own language.
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