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The amount of compensation that is paid out to a victim is set out in legislation. Over the years, the monetary amount that can be paid out to an applicant has increased incrementally. The current maximum amount that can be paid to a victim is $75,000. The amount awarded to a successful applicant, will depend on the date that the offence occurred, and the injuries that were suffered by the victim.

The Office of Criminal Injuries Compensation (the “Office”) is the department that deals with the applications, assessments, and appeals made under the Fund. The Office is located within the Department of Justice, in Perth. The Office is comprised of case assessors who assess applications, and make decisions as to whether to grant compensation to victims of crimes.

After the Office receives your application, it gets reviewed. During that process, the Assessor may make further inquiries, and investigate any aspect of your application or supporting documentation as necessary, or ask for more information from you. The assessor may also direct you to see a health practitioner, and direct that the health practitioner provide the Assessor with a medical report detailing the examination.

Applications are determined mostly ‘on the papers’, meaning that the issues in dispute are decided based on the documentary evidence before the tribunal. The intention is to minimise the risk of re-traumatizing victims, by minimizing the instances of having to recount what happened.

Once you have given Mossensons details of the time, date and circumstances of the incident, we will prepare the necessary documents for lodgment. If all supporting documents are completed and lodged at the earliest opportunity, the time needed for the assessment will be expediated.

If you are claiming for losses suffered as a result of the offence, then you should provide evidence of those losses with your application. Documents such as medical reports detailing any injuries that you suffered, invoices for costs incurred by the injuries, such as treatments, should be provided. If you will require treatment in the future, such as ongoing counselling or medical treatment, a medical report indicating those needs may be helpful for the Assessor. If your earning capacity has been reduced, or lost due to health reasons relating to the offence, then details of how this occurred, will be required.

Please note: The Office cannot assess an incomplete application, therefore having all documentation complete at the time of lodgment is important for ensuring the process is expeditious.