Victim Assist Queensland
Victim Assist Queensland is the new Queensland Government assistance scheme for victims of crime in Queensland. Victim Assist Queensland commenced on 1 December 2009, replacing the previous criminal injury compensation schemes.
Victim Assist Queensland focuses on assisting the recovery of victims of crime who have been injured as a result of an act of violence.
Using the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009 to find more information.
The legislation behind Victim Assist Queensland and notes that explain the provisions of the Act are in the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009.
When you are using this website you may wish to refer to the Act for more detail. To make it a little easie,r the relevant section of the Act has been indicated in the text. For example, when this website refers to information taken from section 51 of the Act, covering ‘Who may apply for victim assistance?’ this will be shown as (s51) at that text.
Funding for support services
Funding will be provided through Victim Assist Queensland under the Building Capacity for Victims of Crime Services Funding Program to help victims of crime in Queensland get their lives back on track.
Support for victims of crime
Support is available to victims of crime in Queensland. Our Victims LinkUp telephone and web service links victims of crime and their families to existing support services available in Queensland to help their recovery. Support services provided by a number of government and non-government providers include counselling, court support, emergency accommodation and a wide variety of other types of support for victims of crime. You can use this website to search for support services available around Queensland. You can also speak in confidence to a Victims LinkUp Information Officer by calling 1300 546587 between 8.30am and 5.00pm.
Support services regional map
Information on Victim Assist Queensland and referral to support services for victims of crime.
Victim of crime explained
Under the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009, a victim of crime is anyone who has been injured by an act of violence committed against them in Queensland. An injury can be physical or psychological.
Financial assistance
The Queensland Government provides financial assistance to pay for, or reimburse the costs of goods and services that an eligible victim requires to help them recover from the physical and emotional effects of violent crime. Information on financial assistance such as who can apply and how to apply is available on this website. You can also speak in confidence to a Victims LinkUp Information Officer by calling 1300 546 587 between 8.30am and 5.00pm.
Victim rights and complaints
If a person is a victim of a violent crime they have certain rights concerning their treatment by Queensland Government agencies who can provide services to them as a victim. If a victim feels they have been treated wrongly or unfairly by a Queensland Government officer, they have the right to complain to the government agency responsible for the conduct of the officer. To ensure it is easy for victims to make a complaint, a complaints mechanism is now in place under the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009.
Criminal injury compensation
Victim Assist Queensland has replaced the previous criminal injury compensation schemes under the Criminal Offence Victims Act 1995 (COVA) and the Criminal Code Act 1899 (the Code).
Forms and publications
Forms and publications for Victim Assist Queensland.
Contact us about training
Victim Assist Queensland offers training sessions to agencies that explain the financial assistance scheme and assistance available to victims of crime.