Victims of Crime Assistance
Experiencing a violent crime can have a profound and lasting impact. Victoria’s victims of crime assistance scheme provides financial and practical support to help people recover, but navigating the process can feel overwhelming — especially when dealing with trauma. With hundreds of applications completed, our team at Burton Morley Naughton assists clients across Bayside, the Inner South and the Inner South‑East with clear guidance, strong evidence preparation and compassionate support throughout every stage of the application process.
Victims of Crime Assistance Services
We help victims of violent crime access financial assistance to support their recovery, safety and wellbeing. Our role is to make the process easier, ensure your application is complete and compelling, and advocate for the strongest possible outcome.
WE ASSIST WITH
Primary victim applications
Secondary victim applications
Related victim applications
Home invasion & aggravated burglary support
Evidence preparation
Financial assistance claims
Review and variation applications
A Growing Concern in Bayside: Home Invasions & Aggravated Burglaries
Violent home invasions and aggravated burglaries have surged across Melbourne, with Bayside now recording the highest aggravated burglary rate in Victoria. According to Crime Statistics Agency data reported by The Age in 2026, incidents in Bayside have quadrupled over the past decade, rising from 57.3 to 240.4 per 100,000 people, while the statewide rate has climbed to the second‑highest level on record.
If you’ve been the victim of an aggravated burglary or home invasion, you may be eligible for Victims of Crime Assistance, including counselling, medical treatment, security upgrades and other recovery‑related support. These incidents often leave people dealing with trauma, fear and a loss of safety long after the event.
At Burton Morley Naughton, we understand the impact these crimes have on both Bayside and other Melbourne residents. With hundreds of VOC applications completed, we use our local knowledge, experience and advocacy to prepare strong, evidence‑based submissions and help our clients secure the maximum assistance available.
Common Questions About Victims of Crime Assistance
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You may be eligible for Victims of Crime Assistance if you’ve been harmed — physically, psychologically or financially — as a result of a violent crime that occurred in Victoria. Eligibility does not depend on whether anyone has been charged or convicted.
You may be eligible if you are a:
Primary victim — you were directly harmed by a violent crime such as an assault, home invasion, aggravated burglary, robbery, family violence incident or sexual offence.
Secondary victim — you witnessed a violent crime or were present and traumatised by it.
Related victim — you are a close family member of someone who died as a result of a violent crime.
Common eligible incidents include:
Home invasions and aggravated burglaries
Assaults and violent attacks
Family violence incidents
Robberies and armed robberies
Sexual offences
Stalking or threats of violence
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Yes — in most cases, the crime must be reported to Victoria Police for you to be eligible for victims of crime assistance. A police report helps confirm what happened, when it occurred and the harm you suffered. However, you do not need an arrest, charge or conviction for your application to proceed. Many victims qualify even when the offender is unknown or the investigation is ongoing. If you’re unsure about what to report or how to do it, we can guide you through the process and help ensure the information provided supports your application.
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If eligible, you may be able to claim assistance for:
counselling and psychological treatment
medical expenses
safety‑related expenses
loss of earnings
other recovery‑related costs
Victims of crime assistance can cover a wide range of recovery‑related expenses. This includes counselling and psychological treatment, medical and dental costs, and safety‑related expenses such as new locks, alarms, CCTV or temporary accommodation after a home invasion. You may also be able to claim loss of earnings, funeral expenses (for related victims), and other costs directly connected to the harm you’ve suffered. The assistance is designed to help you stabilise, recover and feel safe again, especially after serious incidents like aggravated burglaries or violent assaults.
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The timeframe varies, but most victims of crime assistance applications take several months from lodgement to outcome. Straightforward matters with clear evidence can be finalised more quickly, while cases involving complex injuries, ongoing treatment or additional information requests may take longer. You don’t need to wait for the police investigation to finish, and you can usually access counselling support earlier through interim assistance. We guide you through each stage, keep the process moving and ensure the Department of Justice has everything it needs to make a decision.
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No. Victims of Crime no longer involve a hearing process for any applications. All applications are decided “on the papers”, meaning the Department of Justice reviews your evidence and makes a decision without requiring you to appear.
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Yes. Victims of crime assistance matters are private and confidential. Your application, supporting evidence and personal information are not made public. Nothing is published online, and the offender is not notified about your application. This confidentiality is designed to protect your safety, dignity and wellbeing throughout the process.
How We Work Together
Initial Consultation & Eligibility Assessment
We review your circumstances, the nature of the crime and available evidence to confirm eligibility and outline the assistance you may be entitled to.
Evidence Gathering & Application Preparation
We help collect medical, psychological and police documentation, prepare your statement and ensure your application is complete, accurate and persuasive.
Submission & Government Decision
We lodge your application, communicate with the Justice Department and prepare any additional material required. We represent you and advocate for the strongest possible outcome.
Finalisation & Ongoing Support
Once assistance is granted, we help you understand the conditions, access approved services and apply for variations if your needs change over time.
We were the victim of two home invasions in under 12 months, and my wife and two daughters were in the house with me. It was a shocking experience for all of us. I had no idea we could apply for victims of crime support until a friend put us onto Burton Morley Naughton.
They have been excellent to deal with. They helped me prepare an application for myself as well as the girls, guided us through every step, and made the whole process feel manageable during a really stressful time. In the end, we received significant compensation and support from the government — far more than we expected. I’m incredibly grateful for the help and professionalism we received.
VOCAT Client
Speak with a Victims of Crime Lawyer
Many people assume they’re not eligible for Victims of Crime Assistance — especially after a home invasion or aggravated burglary — but in most cases, they are. If you’ve been affected by a violent incident, it’s worth getting advice early so you understand your options.
Speak with us and we’ll assess your eligibility, explain the process and help you take the next steps with confidence.