Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance Scheme) Act 2022

From 18 November 2024, VCAT can review certain decisions made by the Financial Assistance Scheme decision maker, or a delegate of the scheme decision maker under the Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance Scheme) Act 2022.

Cases we can hear

If your interests have been affected a decision made by the Scheme decision maker, you can apply to VCAT to review the decision:

• to refuse an application for assistance, including a decision to require repayment of any interim assistance;
• a decision as to the amount of assistance to be paid to an applicant;
• a refusal to vary assistance under Division 2 of the Act;
• a decision as to the amount of assistance on an application for variation under Division 2 of the Act;
• a decision under Division 3 of the Act to require a person to repay an amount of assistance, including a decision as to the amount of the repayment; or
• a decision made by the scheme decision maker on an internal review under section 45 of the Act.
   

Cases we cannot hear

VCAT cannot review a decision relating to interim assistance.

If you are impacted by a decision made by a delegate of the Scheme decision maker,you must first apply for an internal review by the Scheme decision maker, before applying to VCAT for review.

Legislation that gives VCAT the power to hear these applications

Section 59 of the Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance Scheme) Act 1996.

Documents you need to apply

If you have a decision document, use it to help you complete the VCAT application form and attach a copy of the document to your application.

Time limits

You must make your application within 28 days of the later of these events:

• the decision being made
• if you requested a statement of reasons under the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act, the date the statement of reasons is given to you or you are informed that a statement of reasons will not be given.