24.4 What documents applicants should provide

The FAS will have the documents and information that an applicant submitted as part of their first application or any previous variation applications. Victims do not need to provide more documentation to show that they meet the victim eligibility criteria or that a violent act occurred as part of their variation application.

However, applicants must show:

what further assistance is requested
that the further assistance will assist in their recovery, and
that the further assistance will continue to assist in their recovery from the violent act.

If VOCAT had already refused the applicant’s variation application, the applicant must also show that their circumstances have changed before the FAS can reconsider their variation application. ^49b

VOCAT variations – required information and additional evidence (where available)
Applicants must provide the documents relevant to the variation they are requesting as outlined in the supporting documentary evidence requirements listed in these guidelines for the relevant type of assistance. This could include: quotes, invoices or receipts demonstrating the cost or likely cost of the further assistance requested reports or letters of opinion detailing how the further assistance is likely to assist in their recovery from the violent act, and statutory declarations. Expenses already incurred For expenses that have already been incurred, applicants must provide an invoice or receipt as evidence of the cost of the further assistance. Expenses likely to be incurred For expenses likely to be incurred, applicants must provide one of the following as evidence of the cost of the further assistance: a quote for expenses to be paid for in the future an email or other correspondence from the service provider with their fees, or a letter or report that includes the service provider’s fees. The quote must include itemisation of costs, the business name, contact information and Australian Business Number (ABN). For these expenses, payment will not be made until an invoice or receipt is received. Recommended evidence Applicants are recommended to provide at least one of the following documents to show the need for further assistance: reports or letters of opinion detailing how the further assistance is likely to assist in their recovery from the violent act.

VOCAT variations – required information and additional evidence (where available)

Applicants must provide the documents relevant to the variation they are requesting as outlined in the supporting documentary evidence requirements listed in these guidelines for the relevant type of assistance. This could include:

quotes, invoices or receipts demonstrating the cost or likely cost of the further assistance requested
reports or letters of opinion detailing how the further assistance is likely to assist in their recovery from the violent act, and
statutory declarations.

Expenses already incurred

For expenses that have already been incurred, applicants must provide an invoice or receipt as evidence of the cost of the further assistance.

Expenses likely to be incurred

For expenses likely to be incurred, applicants must provide one of the following as evidence of the cost of the further assistance:

a quote for expenses to be paid for in the future
an email or other correspondence from the service provider with their fees, or
a letter or report that includes the service provider’s fees.

The quote must include itemisation of costs, the business name, contact information and Australian Business Number (ABN).

For these expenses, payment will not be made until an invoice or receipt is received.

Recommended evidence

Applicants are recommended to provide at least one of the following documents to show the need for further assistance:

reports or letters of opinion detailing how the further assistance is likely to assist in their recovery from the violent act.

Footnotes

[49b] Section 31(1)(c) of the Act.

Updated 25 May 2026