Australia

In Australia, compensation programs for victims of violent crime are state- or territory-based. Each of Australia’s six states and one territory administers its own program in accordance with its own statutes. This overview provides information generally applicable to each program within the country. For information on a specific program, contact the program directly. Contact information for each program is provided below.

Eligibility Requirements

Report to police. Yes; some exceptions may be made for cause.

Filing period. Time limits vary across programs; 2 to 3 years from the date of the crime is typical.

Foreign citizen eligibility. Citizens of foreign countries are eligible to apply for compensation in the state or territory where the crime occurred.

Claimants

Procedures

Application forms are available from each program. Victims of crimes that occurred in Tasmania should contact the victim assistance unit for help in completing the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) clearance form if necessary.

Benefits and Award Limits

The programs provide some compensation according to a schedule of injuries that specifies the compensation amount for a particular injury. Most states can pay a maximum combined award between $A15,000 and $A60,000. The maximum compensation paid in Western Australia is between $A15,000 and $A50,000 depending on the date of the offense.

Compensable costs. These vary by program, but may include—

Emergency awards. Some programs provide emergency awards or expedite processing for victims faced with extraordinary financial hardship.

Funding sources. Compensation programs in Australia are funded with consolidated revenue.

Contact Information (by State and Territory)

New South Wales

The Victims of Crime Bureau, Level 6
299 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
Telephone: 61–2–9374–3005, 1–800–633–063
Telephone callers needing speech or communication assistance: 13–36–77, 1–800–555–677
Fax: 61–2–9374–3020
Internet: www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/voc

Languages used (translation service available)—
• On application forms: English
• In correspondence: English
• By telephone: English

Northern Territory

Attorney General’s Office, Compensation Program
P.O. Box 1722, Darwin, NT 0810
Telephone: 61–8–8999–6047
Fax: 61–8–8999–6347
Internet: www.nt.gov.au/justice/solicitor/cvsu/index.shtml

Languages used—
• On application forms: English
• In correspondence: English
• By telephone: English

Queensland

Criminal Compensation Area, Department of Justice
GPO Box 149, Brisbane, QLD 4001
Telephone: 61–7–3239–6546
Fax: 61–7–3239–6557
Internet: www.justice.qld.gov.au

Languages used—
• On application forms: English
• In correspondence: English
• By telephone: English

South Australia

Attorney General’s Office, Compensation Program
GPO Box 464, Adelaide, SA 5000
Telephone: 61–8–8207–1687
Fax: 61–8–8207–2500
Internet: http://www.agd.sa.gov.au/services/victims_rights.php

Languages used—
• On application forms: English
• In correspondence: English
• By telephone: English

Tasmania

Victims Assistance Unit, Ground Floor
Superannuation Management Fund (SMF) House
169 Liverpool Street, Hobart, TAS 7001
Telephone: 61–3–6233–5002
Fax: 61–3–6233–5031
Internet: www.justice.tas.gov.au

Languages used—
• On application forms: English
• In correspondence: English
• By telephone: English

Victoria

Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal, Level 2
233 William Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Telephone: 61–3–9628–7855 or 1–800–882–752 (toll-free)
Fax: 61–3–9628–7853
Internet: www.magistratescourt.vic.gov.au

Languages used—
• On application forms: English
• In correspondence: English
• By telephone: English

Western Australia

Victims of Crime Unit, Western Australia Police Service
8 Burton Street, Cannington, WA 6107
Telephone: 61–8–9356–0555
Fax: 61–8–9356–0506
Internet: www.police.wa.gov.au

Languages used—
• On application forms: English
• In correspondence: English
• By telephone: English

The Australian Capital Territory does not have a victim compensation program.

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