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Notification of Decision

Once the Tribunal has made its decision, the applicant will be notified in writing.

Form of Payment

The award of assistance may be made payable to the applicant or to any other person for the benefit of the applicant. It may be paid either:

• wholly as a lump sum
• partly as a lump sum and partly by instalments
• wholly by instalments.

Amounts awarded to a victim for expenses not yet incurred are only payable on the submission of an invoice or receipt relating to that expense.

The Tribunal may specify any terms and conditions to be complied with before any instalment is paid.

Award monies to be held in Trust

Amounts awarded to infants and persons who, in the opinion of the Tribunal are unable to administer their own finances, are held in Trust by the Senior Master's Office, Supreme Court of Victoria for that person until he/she attains the age of 18.

Interest is accrued from the date of award until funds are released to the Applicant.

Applying for further assistance after an award has been made

Victims are entitled to make an application to the Tribunal to vary an existing award made by the Tribunal.

These applications could be seeking authorisation for further counselling, medical treatment or other expenses.

This entitlement exists for six years from the date the original award was made or, where the applicant was under 18 years of age at the time of the making of the award, until that applicant turns 24.

How to Apply for a Variation

An application for variation must be made in writing to the Tribunal with supporting material attached. This request must demonstrate the link between the criminal act and the need for the further assistance.

These applications are usually determined by a Tribunal Member on the documents supplied, without the need for a hearing. However, they may be listed for a short hearing where the application is complicated or important issues need to be discussed.

Written notification of the Tribunal's decision is provided to the applicant, the treating practitioner or legal representative of the applicant depending on who made the variation application. Treating practitioners are generally invited to forward their accounts directly to the Tribunal for payment upon completion of the authorised treatment.