From 18 November 2024, the Tribunal can only accept invoices/receipts for payment of authorised future expenses for current pending applications for assistance.
All invoices/receipts for finalised Tribunal applications for assistance must be filed with the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS). More information about the FAS, including how to file invoices/receipts, can be located on their website at www.victimsofcrime.vic.gov.au/fas
Form of payment
An award of assistance may be made payable to the applicant or to any other person for the benefit of the applicant. It may be paid:
- wholly as a lump sum; or
- partly as a lump sum and partly by instalments; or
- wholly by installments.
The Tribunal may specify any terms and conditions to be complied with before any instalment is paid.
Amounts awarded to a victim for expenses not yet incurred (for example, future medical expenses or counselling) are only payable on the submission of an invoice or receipt relating to that expense.
Awards of financial assistance for expenses not yet incurred
The Tribunal may also make an award for expenses that have not yet been incurred, but which are reasonably likely to be incurred in the future as a direct result of a violent crime. In determining the amount to award for future expenses the Tribunal may rely upon a quotation from the nominated service provider however, amounts of financial assistance awarded for expenses not yet incurred will only be paid by the Tribunal on the submission of an invoice or receipt relating to the expense. For further information regarding the difference between quotes and invoices visit the Invoices page.
Examples of such expenses include future counselling sessions or surgery, or the installation of a home security system to assist the victim in their recovery from the violent crime. The Tribunal will not pay for such expenses until the services or goods have been provided to the applicant, and an invoice or receipt is filed with the Tribunal.
Financial assistance awarded for expenses not yet incurred by an applicant may not be paid for some time after being awarded, or may not be paid at all if the victim does not avail themselves of the services for which financial assistance was awarded. For example, while financial assistance for ten future counselling sessions may have been awarded, a victim may find that five sessions are adequate. In this circumstance, the Tribunal would only pay for five counselling sessions.
Any assistance not paid to, or for the benefit of, a person within 6 years after the awarding of that assistance will cease to be payable.
Process once award is made
Once an award for financial assistance has been made by the Tribunal the award will be entered on to the Tribunal’s electronic database. Notification of the award may then be generated and a copy of the award notices will be sent to the applicant/their legal representative. Payment will generally be made by cheque unless a request is made for an award to be deposited directly into a nominated bank account.
Payment via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
If advised prior to the finalisation of an award for financial assistance, the Tribunal may directly deposit the award into a nominated bank account. Please contact the venue of the Tribunal managing your application for further information.
Estimated payment timeframes
Given the number of awards of financial assistance made by the Tribunal, it can take up to six weeks from the time an award of financial assistance is made and award notices are sent, to the time the cheque is dispatched.
Cheques are dispatched centrally by the Court Services Victoria Finance Office on a weekly basis. Where an applicant has nominated for direct deposit into a bank account via EFT transfer, payment may be received within 48 hours of the award being processed by the Tribunal’s Finance Department. Cheque dispatch and EFT Transfers may not occur for up to six weeks from when the award is made by the Tribunal.
Change of address details
Applicants should ensure that the Tribunal is notified of any change of address prior to the finalisation of an award. The venue of the Tribunal managing the application should be notified in writing of any changes in contact and address information.
What happens if payment is not received
If payment of an award is not received within six weeks of the award being made, please contact the relevant venue of the Tribunal.