The Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) was established by the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996 and commenced on 1 July 1997, following the abolition of the Crimes Compensation Tribunal, which had operated in Victoria since 1973 under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1972 and the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act 1983.
VOCAT was established to acknowledge and provide financial assistance to victims of crime committed in Victoria, to assist them in their recovery from crime.