Victims Support Scheme

The Victims Support Scheme assists victims of violent crime, modern slavery and road crime in NSW. Learn about the support available, see what you may be eligible for and find out how to apply.

Support for victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist incident 

Support is available for the families of those who have tragically died and the victims who have been affected by the shootings at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025.

For more information about the assistance available through the Victims Support Scheme and the Bondi Beach Victim Recovery Payment:

Support for victims of crime in NSW

The NSW Victims Support Scheme assists people who have been injured due to a violent crime or modern slavery, and the family members of someone who has died as a result of a violent crime or a road crime. 

The type of support you can get, the information you need to provide and the time limits to apply will depend on your situation.

Victims Services is here to help you learn more about victims support and how to apply.

Call Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm:

 

 

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About the Victims Support Scheme

For an overview of the Victims Support Scheme and how it can assist you, watch this video. Use the language selector at the top of this page to view the transcript in your language.

Read transcript
Video transcript

About the Victims Support Scheme

The Victims Support Scheme assists people affected by violent crime, modern slavery and road crime in New South Wales.

This video explains the scheme and how it can assist you.

You might be eligible to get support through the scheme if you or your child were injured due to a violent crime or modern slavery, if you witnessed a violent crime, or if your family member died because of a violent crime or a road crime.

The type of support you can get through the scheme will depend on your situation.

The scheme can provide counselling to help with your recovery, financial assistance to cover expenses such as medical costs, home security, rent assistance and costs for attending court, and a recognition payment to acknowledge what happened.

To apply for support, visit the Victim Services website to find out what you need to apply and learn about the time limits for making an application.

You can apply online or download an application form.

You need to provide a copy of your current government ID with your application, such as a driver's licence or passport.

There is no time limit to apply for counselling.

You can apply at any time.

There are time limits to apply for financial assistance and recognition payments.

You may need to apply within two years of the crime.

You may also need to include extra documents, such as a report or reports that explain what happened and how the incident affected you and proof of the expenses you are claiming.

Victim Services is here to help you learn more about the support available and how to apply.

To get in touch with us, call the Victims Access line on 1800 633 063 or the Aboriginal contact line on 1800 019 123.

To learn more about Victim Support in New South Wales, visit nsw.gov.au/victims-services.

Eligibility requirements

Learn who is eligible to receive assistance through the Victims Support Scheme and the factors which may affect eligibility.

Apply for victims support

Understand the steps to apply for victims support and access the application forms.

Supporting documents

Learn what supporting documents you need to provide with your application for victims support.

Find an approved counsellor

Find a counsellor that's right for you with our search tool.

Who is eligible for assistance through the Scheme

Support for families when someone has died

We understand that losing a family member as a result of a crime is a traumatic and painful experience.

The Victims Support Scheme provides assistance to the family members of someone who has died as a result of a crime in NSW.

The type of support available will depend on what happened and the family member’s relationship to the person who died.

Read more

Find an approved counsellor

If your application for counselling is approved, you can use our search tool to find an approved counsellor that's right for you. 

Find an approved counsellor

Young person on couch facing curly-haired person in yellow long-sleeved top across round coffee table.

Restitution by offenders

When a victim of a crime receives financial support under the Victims Rights and Support Act 2013, the Commissioner of Victims Rights can recover money from a person who has been convicted of the criminal offence, relating to the victim's claim. An Order for Restitution is issued against the convicted offender.

To read what offenders are told about restitution, visit Restitution by offenders.

We're here to help

The Victims Support Scheme is administered by the Commissioner of Victims Rights. Victims Services, part of the Department of Communities and Justice, assists the Commissioner to administer the Scheme. 

We understand that violent crime, modern slavery and road crime can affect people in different ways.

If you have any questions about victims support or making an application, Victims Services is here to help.

Contact Victims Services

Call (Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm)

For the National Relay Service, call 13 36 77 (TTY) or 1300 555 727 (Speak and Listen).

For interpreter support, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 13 14 50.

Email

vs@dcj.nsw.gov.au

Post

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

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