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 of a homicide victim.

For more information, see Eligibility criteria.

Payment categories

• $15,000 for financially dependent family victim or children under 18 at the time of death of the homicide victim.
  
• $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.
    

How do I apply?

• If you are a primary victim, use the Primary Victims form.
  
• If you are an eligible family member of a homicide victim (Family Victim), use the Family Member of a Homicide Victim form.

PDF application forms are also available. 

If you need help completing your application, you can ask a support worker, friend or family member. Or contact Victims Services. 

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, 122.1 KB) (PDF, 122.1 KB) 
• Certificate of injury (PDF, 649.5 KB) (PDF, 649.5 KB) (medical report).