Australia
Crime victim compensation schemes that provide financial assistance to victims of violent crime are state-based in Australia. Each state administers its own program in accordance with its state statute. This page provides information generally applicable to each of the seven state programs. For specific information on individual state programs contact the program directly. A list of each of the state programs is provided on the next page.

Eligibility Requirements

Report to Police: Yes; some exceptions may be made for cause.
Filing Period: 1 year is typical; time limits vary from state to state.

Claimants

• Victims of crime
• Dependents of homicide victims
• Relatives of victims of crime; eligible in some states
• Foreign citizens; eligible in most states

Procedures
The claimant must file an application with the compensation agency or court in the state where the crime occurred. Victims of crimes occurring in Tasmania must obtain clearance from the Director of Public Prosecutions to apply for compensation.
The New South Wales compensation scheme provides monetary compensation according to a schedule of injuries which specifies the amount of compensation payable for a particular injury.
Contact information on each of the seven Australian state compensation programs is listed on the following page of this directory.

Benefits & Award Limits

Most states can pay a maximum combined award of between $AUS15,000 and $AUS60,000.
Compensable Costs (varies by state)

• Medical expenses
• Mental health counseling
• Lost wages
• Funeral
• Travel expenses
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Incidental

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

Funding Sources
Compensation schemes in Australia are funded from consolidated revenue.

Australian Crime Victim Compensation Programs (by State)

New South Wales-61-2-9375-6488
The Victims of Crime Bureau
Level 5, 130 Elizabeth Street
Sydney, NSW
2000

Northern Territory-61-08-8999-7533
The Attorney General's Office
Compensation Program
P.O. Box 1722
Darwin, NT
0810

Queensland-011-617-3239-0176
Human Rights and Administrative Law Branch
Department of Justice
GPO Box 149
Brisbane, QLD 4001

South Australia-61-8-8207-1687
The Attorney General's Office
Compensation Program
GPO Box 464
Adelaide, South Australia
5000

Tasmania-61-03-6233-3430
Master of the Supreme Court
Supreme Court of Tasmania
Salamanca Place
Hobart, Tasmania 7000

Victoria-61-3-9628-7855
The Crimes Compensation Tribunal
233 William Street
Melbourne, Victoria
3000

Western Australia-08-9356-0555
Victims of Crime Unit
Western Australia Police Service
8 Burton Street
Cannington, W.A. 6107
Fredericton, New Brunswick
E3B 5H1

Back to International Directory