وکٹوریہ میں جرائم کے شکار افراد: نفسیاتی رپورٹس اور FAS

If you have been hurt by a violent crime in Victoria, you may be able to get financial help with counselling, medical costs and other expenses. Many people wonder whether they need a Financial Assistance Scheme psychological report before they can apply.

This guide explains how the scheme works, what counselling it covers, and when a report from a psychologist or other mental health professional is needed.

From VOCAT to the Financial Assistance Scheme

For many years, victims of crime in Victoria applied to the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT). Under the Victims of Crime (Financial Assistance Scheme) Act 2022, VOCAT has been replaced by the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS). The FAS began taking applications on 18 November 2024.

The FAS says VOCAT has stopped accepting new applications and is only finalising applications that were already underway. People with a pending VOCAT award now use the FAS online portal to lodge expenses and ask for changes. If a VOCAT application was withdrawn, or only an interim award was made, specific rules decide whether you can move to the FAS, so check the FAS website or call the Helpline.

Applications to the FAS are made online. You do not have to go to court or a hearing. You can apply yourself or nominate someone, such as a lawyer, to help.

Who can apply and what the FAS covers

The FAS guidelines describe three groups of victims:

• Primary victims: people injured, or who died, as a direct result of a violent act committed against them. This includes a child injured by hearing, witnessing or being exposed to the effects of violence.
• Secondary victims: people present at the scene who are injured as a direct result of witnessing the violent act.
• Related victims: close family members, dependants or people in an intimate relationship with a primary victim who died.

The guidelines define injury broadly. It includes psychological or psychiatric harm, and making an earlier condition worse.

For primary victims, the FAS can help with costs such as counselling, reasonable medical expenses, safety items like security cameras, and some lost income. Special financial assistance can also be paid in recognition of the significant adverse effects of the crime. The FAS sets maximum amounts for each type of help, and these are updated over time, so check its website for current figures.

Time limits and police reports

• For most violent crimes, you have 3 years to apply.
• For sexual offences and family violence, you have 10 years.
• Different rules apply if you were under 18 at the time.
• The violent act generally needs to have been reported to police within a reasonable time, although special circumstances can be considered.

Practical tips for applying

• Keep receipts, quotes and invoices for costs related to the crime. The FAS asks for itemised invoices that include the business name, ABN and payment details.
• Keep copies of hospital or medical records and any statement you made to police.
• Ask your GP, counsellor or psychologist for a short letter if you think it would help explain your needs.
• If you feel overwhelmed, ask someone you trust, a support worker or a lawyer to help with the paperwork.

Counselling under the FAS

The FAS guideline on counselling expenses explains that counselling can be provided by:

• psychologists registered with AHPRA
• counsellors who are at least level 3 members of the Australian Counselling Association
• mental health social workers accredited by the Australian Association of Social Workers
• other practitioners, with the FAS considering their qualifications

Importantly, the FAS can fund up to 10 counselling sessions to meet your initial needs without you providing documentary evidence of a psychological injury. That is a change from the VOCAT system, where reports were often needed at the start.

When a psychological report is needed

The FAS information for service providers says it will only pay for medical, psychological or counselling reports that it has pre-authorised and requested. A report may be requested when:

• the evidence already provided does not meet the criteria for the assistance you are asking for, or
• you are seeking more than 20 counselling sessions.

If you do not need a formal report, a letter from your treating practitioner may still help your application. The FAS provides templates for mental health letters, medical letters and support worker letters. When the FAS has pre-authorised a report, the practitioner must use its medical and/or mental health report template.

What a counselling report should cover

When more than 20 sessions are requested, the FAS asks for a report from an accredited mental health professional that includes:

• a description of your mental health needs
• the proposed treatment and its costs
• the practitioner’s opinion on the need for more sessions
• whether that need results directly from the violent act

A careful report is based on a thorough interview and, where helpful, validated questionnaires about symptoms such as trauma, anxiety and depression. It describes how the crime has affected your daily life, work, study and relationships, and considers any earlier difficulties fairly. The FAS guidelines note that a mental illness must be diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional.

A good report is accurate and balanced. It should reflect what you have told the practitioner, what they have observed and what the evidence shows, rather than simply agreeing with any request. That balance is what makes a report useful to decision makers.

How reports reach the FAS

Practitioners give letters and reports to you, your lawyer or your authorised representative. You then upload them to the FAS portal. Practitioners send invoices, and the FAS pays approved costs directly.

If you disagree with a decision

If a delegate of the Scheme decision maker makes a decision you disagree with, you must first ask for an internal review. After that, VCAT can review the decision. VCAT says you must apply within 28 days of the decision, or of receiving a statement of reasons if you asked for one. Victoria Legal Aid and community legal centres may be able to help.

Invictus Health کیسے مدد کر سکتا ہے

Our psychologists and counsellors provide مشاورت in person in Preston or by telehealth across Australia. This includes anxiety and stress counselling. If the FAS has requested a report, talk with us about whether we can help. Our find a practitioner page can help you choose who to see.

براہ کرم ہم سے رابطہ کریں to check how FAS funding would work for your sessions before you book. The Victims of Crime Helpline (1800 819 817) can also give advice about financial assistance and other support.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Speak with the Victims of Crime Helpline, a lawyer or a qualified health professional about your situation. If you are in danger, call 000. For 24-hour crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For support about family, domestic or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.