Applicants included in the Koori VOCAT List

The Koori VOCAT List is a specialist list within the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal which manages applications made by victims of crime who are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Origin. A person of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin means a person who is descended from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; and is accepted as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Island community.

 

Where is the Koori VOCAT List administered

The Koori VOCAT List is administered from the Tribunal’s Principal Registry at Melbourne.  All applications for financial assistance made by a person identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander are lodged at the Tribunal’s Principal Registry at Melbourne for inclusion in the Koori VOCAT List.

The exceptions to this are:

• applications that fall within the jurisdiction of the Family Violence Court Division of the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria at Ballarat and Heidelberg; or
• applications that fall within the jurisdiction of the Neighbourhood Justice Centre Division of the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria at Collingwood.

 

Koori VOCAT List Registrar

All applications in the Koori VOCAT List are managed by the Koori VOCAT List Registrar, who is located at the Tribunal’s Principal Registry at Melbourne.

The Koori VOCAT List Registrar is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Koori VOCAT List and file management of all applications within the List.

 

Contacting the Koori List Registrar

The Koori VOCAT List Registrar may be contacted at the Tribunal's Principal Registry on 8615 3879 or Toll Free 1800 882 752.

The list also has a separate email address at koori@vocat.vic.gov.au

 

Hearing procedure and venue

The Tribunal promotes flexible practices in relation to Koori VOCAT List applications which are required to be listed for a hearing, including listing applications at a Tribunal venue more convenient to the applicant’s place of residence. This applies to directions hearings, applications which are ready to be listed for final determination, and applications for interim or variation awards.

Where appropriate, the use of technology will be used to facilitate the hearing of Koori VOCAT List applications, including the use of video conferencing from remote locations.

In listing an application for hearing, the Tribunal will ask the applicant to indicate:

• their preference for the venue of the hearing; and
• whether any alternative arrangements are sought; including alternative arrangements for attendance at the hearing by video link or for the giving of evidence by remote witness facility.

Hearings will be listed in accordance with the applicant’s wishes if the Tribunal considers that such listing is practicable in all the circumstances.

Further information regarding the development and current operation of the Koori VOCAT List is outlined in the Koori List Information Sheet and Report Koori VOCAT List Pilot – Review and Recommendations Report