Request an internal review of a decision about victims support

What is an internal review

An internal review is a fresh look at an application or claim. It is undertaken by a different person than the one who made the original decision. This process is an opportunity for you to give us more information or evidence to support your request for victims support through the Victims Support Scheme.

You may request an internal review in relation to your application for:

• counselling
• financial assistance for immediate needs, including the Immediate Needs Support Package
• financial assistance for economic loss
• a recognition payment.

The internal review can involve a review of the entire decision or be limited to a particular aspect of the decision, such as a decision in relation to a specific support type or expense.

How long you have to lodge an internal review

You have 90 days from the day after you were notified of the decision to apply for an internal review. You need to provide all supporting documents and information you want considered as part of the review within this 90-day period.

How to apply for an internal review

Complete the Application for an internal review form.

As part of your application, you can let us know:

• the reasons you disagree with the decision
• if there is any information that you’ve already given us that you would like us to reconsider
• if you have any new information or evidence that you’d like us to consider, such as:
  • a police report
  • a report from a government organisation
  • a report from a government-funded organisation, or
  • medical, dental or counselling reports.

Visit Supporting documents for Victims Support Scheme applications to learn more about these reports and access optional forms to help you collect this information.

Where to send your request for an internal review

Send your completed internal review application to Victims Services by email or post.

What happens next

Victims Services will write to you to let you know that we have received your request.

We will begin an internal review after we get confirmation that you have provided everything you want us to consider or when the 90-day period ends, whichever comes first. We will notify you of the outcome within 42 days of this commencement date.

If you disagree with an internal review decision for a recognition payment application

If you disagree with the internal review decision in relation to your recognition payment application, you may lodge an appeal with the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). You need to do this within 28 days from the date you are notified of the internal review decision.

Note: NCAT are unable to consider applications in relation to counselling or financial assistance.

For more information about making an application to NCAT, call 1300 006 228 or visit the NCAT website.