Victims Services
Victims Access Line 1800 633 063, Aboriginal Contact Line 1800 019 123 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)
Recognition payment
A recognition payment is intended to acknowledge that a violent crime has been committed against you. Payment is based on the offence committed.
Who can apply?
- Primary victims
- Parents, step-parents and guardians of a homicide victim
- Current spouses, or de facto partners of a homicide victim
- Financially dependent family victims and children under 18 years at the time of death
For more information, see Eligibility criteria.
Payment categories
- $15,000 for financially dependent family victim or children under 18 at the time of death.
- $10,000 for primary victims of sexual assault involving serious bodily injury, multiple offenders, or an offensive weapon or a sexual assault, sexual act, or attempted sexual assault involving a series of incidents.
- $7,500 for parents, step-parents or guardians, current spouses, or de facto partners of a homicide victim.
- $5,000 for primary victims of a sexual assault (one incident), attempted sexual assault with serious bodily injury, assault with grievous bodily harm, or physical assault of a child that involves a series of incidents.
- $1,500 for primary victims of an attempted sexual assault without serious bodily injury, sexual touching, a robbery involving violence, or an assault without grievous bodily harm.
How long do I have to apply?
- Within 2 years from the violent crime – if the violent crime resulted in the death of a victim, the 2-year time period starts from the date it was confirmed that the death resulted from the act of violence.
- For children, within 2 years of turning 18 years old.
- For victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse, within 10 years:
- for children, within 10 years of turning 18 years old
- for victims of sexual assault who were children when the incident happened there is no time limit.
- for children, within 10 years of turning 18 years old
How do I apply?
- If you are a primary victim, use the Primary Victims form.
- If you are an eligible family member, use the Family Member of a Homicide Victim form.
PDF forms are also available.
Documents required
- A government issued ID, for example a driver’s licence, passport, Medicare card, or card issued by Centrelink.
- Police or government/government-funded organisation report that provides details about what happened and shows how the violent crime has affected you – this is not required for family victims of homicide victims.
- Medical, dental or counselling reports that show how the violent crime has affected you – this evidence is not required for family victims of homicide victims.
Optional templates to support your application
- Government funded organisation report (PDF , 99.4 KB)
- Certificate of injury (PDF , 691.2 KB) (medical report).
Further information
Read How to collect information to support your application (PDF , 53.9 KB)
Last updated:
28 Sep 2021
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