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Applying for victims support

Information about how to apply for victims support.

Application forms

You can apply for victims support online or in writing.

To apply online, you need to complete the latest online application forms. 

To apply in writing, you need to download an application form and send the completed form to Victim Services.

For more information, see Making an application for assistance through the Victims Support Scheme page on the NSW Government website.

You can send your completed form:

Commissioner of Victims Rights  
Victims Services
Department of Communities and Justice
Locked Bag 5118  
Parramatta NSW 2124.

You should make a copy of your completed form before you send it.

You will receive a confirmation email or letter from Victims Services once your application has been received.

Supporting documents

You must send a clear copy of one current government-issued identification with your application. This could be a birth certificate, passport, driver licence or photo card. Don’t send any original documents.

If you are applying for your child who is under the age of 18, you need to send a copy of one identification document for your child and yourself.

If you are applying for financial assistance or a recognition payment, you need to send extra information and supporting documents. The information and documents you need to send  will depend on your situation  and what type of support you are applying for.

You must make sure to send all required information and supporting documents with your application. If you don’t, your application may be rejected.

For more information, see Supporting documents for Victims Support Scheme applications on the NSW Government website.

If your supporting documents are not in English, you need to provide:

  • a copy of the original document – in the original language
  • a complete English translation of the original document.

The translation must be prepared by a certified translator.

You can’t claim the costs of translating your documents.

For more information, see Translations and transcripts on the Multicultural NSW website. 

Report from a government or non-government agency

If you didn’t report the act of violence or modern slavery to police, you can get a report from a government or non-government agency to support your application.

It must be written on the agencies letterhead and include information about:

  • your details – name and date of birth
  • details of the person writing the report – their full name, job title and contact details
  • details of the service provided by the organisation and funding received from the NSW Government or Australian Government
  • details of the incident as disclosed by you
  • the support that has been provided to you.

You must send a copy of this report along with your application.

You can’t claim the cost of the report.

Medical, dental, or counselling reports

You have 12 months from the date you submit your completed application form to provide medical, dental or counselling reports.

You can ask your treating medical or health professional to give you:

  • a completed Certificate of Injury form, or
  • a report or letter on company letterhead that outlines the incident and any injuries you have as a result.

You can claim the cost of getting  existing medical records for your claim. You can’t claim the cost of getting new medical records for your claim.

If you don’t send medical reports within 12 months, Victims Services will close your claim.

If your claim has been closed you can re-submit your application, as long as you are within the time limit for the type of claim you are making.

Choose your representative

You can choose someone to act on your behalf with Victims Services. This can be a family member, friend, lawyer, or support worker.

If you are a parent, step-parent or guardian applying for victims support for a child under 18, you can choose someone to be your representative.

Your representative can:

  • represent you with one or all of your victims support applications
  • receive correspondence from Victims Services, including decisions about your application(s).

Your representative needs written instructions from you to:

  • change your contact details and bank account details
  • withdraw your application for victims support.

You can select your representative in your Application for Support.

If you have already sent your Application for Support, you need to complete an Authorising a Representative Form.

If your representative is a family member or friend, you must also send a copy of their government-issued identification.

You can get a blank copy of this form from the Making an application for assistance through the Victims Support Scheme page on the NSW Government website.

You can send your completed form:

Commissioner of Victims Rights  
Victims Services
Department of Communities and Justice
Locked Bag 5118  
Parramatta NSW 2124.

Restitution

If the offender is found guilty of the offence they committed against you, they will need to pay back Victim Services for any money that you receive. Victims Services will take action (restitution) against the offender to recover this money.

If you are worried that this could endanger your safety or the safety of your family, you can get a support worker to write you a letter asking Victims Services to promise that they won’t act against the offender.

You should speak to a support worker if you believe the offender will demand money from you or hurt you or your family.

Help to apply

If you are the victim of child abuse, domestic or family violence, or sexual assault, you may be able to get some free legal advice or assistance about applying for counselling, financial assistance, or a recognition payment.

For legal advice or assistance, you can contact:

Aboriginal women, children and youth can contact:

Find a counsellor

If your application for counselling is approved, you must use an approved counsellor.

To find an approved counsellor, see Find an approved counsellor on the NSW Government website.

If you are outside Australia, Victims Services will pay for your counselling for up to 22 hrs or to the value of $5,500, whichever is less. You need to keep a copy of the invoice, statement or other document as evidence of the counselling you have received.

Proof of expenses

If your application for an Immediate Needs Support Package (INSP) is approved, you should keep proof of any purchases you make. This may include:

  • receipts
  • itemised tax invoices
  • bills of sale
  • tenancy agreements
  • rental ledger
  • bank statements.

Victims Services may ask you for evidence of your expenses. You are required to show proof of your expenses if requested.

If you apply for another INSP in the future, you must show how you spent the money from the previous package when you make your new claim.

Claiming new expenses

If your application for financial assistance is approved, you can claim new expenses that you incur after your initial application is approved. These expenses need to relate directly to the act of violence or modern slavery in your initial application.

You can continue to claim new expenses:

  • for up to five years after your application is approved, or
  • until you reach the maximum amount of support has been provided,

whichever comes first.

To do this, you can complete a Claim for expenses form.

Alternatively, you can write to Victims Services providing:

  • your name
  • Victims Services application reference number
  • a list of the new expenses
  • a description of how each cost was incurred as a direct result of the violent crime or modern slavery
  • copies of proof of your expenses, such as itemised tax invoices, or receipts.

You can do this by sending a letter or email.

If you have received a rebate from Medicare, or private health insurance, you need to provide evidence on the amount you have been reimbursed. You are only entitled to be claim the amount you weren’t reimbursed. That is the amount you are out-of-pocket.

Last updated: March 2026

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