Lunch and Learn: Supporting clients to navigate the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS)

NIFVS Lunch & Learn events will continue to be delivered as free sessions throughout 2026 to strengthen the practice skills and confidence of professionals to safely and effectively respond to family violence.

This Lunch & Learn will be delivered by Danielle Wisniak, Victims Legal Service Coordinator at Northern Community Legal Centre. Danielle will speak about the new Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) for victims of crime, which replaced the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VoCAT) in November 2024.

The Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) is the Victorian government-funded scheme providing financial assistance to victims of violent crime to help with things like:

• counselling and medical expenses
• safety related expenses
• loss or damage to clothing worn at the time of the incident
• loss of earnings
• funeral costs.

Click here to learn more about the FAS.

In this session Danielle will explain the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) and explore issues experienced by clients when accessing the FAS

She will detail the claims process, including who can make a claim, how to make a claim and what may be eligible for a claim. Danielle will also detail how you can assist clients with providing support letters for their application.

Following a presentation, participants will have the opportunity engage in a Q&A.

Lunch and Learn: Supporting clients to navigate the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS)
Date: Wednesday 15 April
Time: 12 – 1pm
Location: Online via Zoom