The Government’s new Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) will commence before 1 December 2024 and is replacing the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT).

The FAS is established by the Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance Scheme) Act 2022.

The FAS will have similar victim and assistance types to VOCAT, however eligibility and the amount of financial assistance available will differ from the Tribunal pursuant to the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996.

From FAS commencement, VOCAT will be unable to accept new applications for assistance.

The Tribunal will ONLY continue to manage current pending applications for financial assistance in the usual manner until finalisation.

From FAS commencement, The Tribunal is unable to accept any variation applications and all variations of finalised VOCAT applications must be filed with the FAS.

From FAS commencement all invoices/receipts for payment of authorised future expenses awarded as part of a VOCAT finalised application must be filed with the FAS.

The Tribunal will only accept and process invoices/receipts for interim authorised future expenses where VOCAT is managing the current pending application for financial assistance.

If your application is pending, particularly if the Tribunal has previously authorised an interim award, it is strongly recommended that you seek legal advice regarding your eligibility and financial assistance options PRIOR to FAS commencement.

In certain circumstances, if a VOCAT application for financial assistance is struck out or withdrawn, an applicant may be eligible to apply to the FAS with a new application for assistance.

The Victims Legal Service (VLS) is a specialist legal service that provides free legal advice to victims of crime and can assist with queries, eligibility, and financial assistance available across both VOCAT and the FAS. More information regarding the VLS can be located at https://www.legalaid.vic.gov.au/victims-legal-service and contacted at 1800 531 566.