{"id":"sr:victims-crime-assistance-rules-2020","name":"Victims of Crime Assistance Rules 2020","slug":"victims-of-crime-assistance-rules-2020","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":181586,"registerId":"vic-sr:victims-crime-assistance-rules-2020-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Victims of Crime Assistance Rules 2020","content":"Version No. 002\n\n**Victims of Crime Assistance Rules 2020**\n\n**S.R. No. 88/2020**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n22 February 2021\n\n**TABLE OF PROVISIONS**\n\n*Rule Page*\n\nOrder 1—Preliminary 1\n\n1 Objects 1\n\n2 Authorising provisions 1\n\n3 Commencement 1\n\n4 Revocations 2\n\n5 Definitions 2\n\nOrder 2—Applications 3\n\n6 Applications for assistance 3\n\n7 Lodgements for applications for assistance 3\n\n8 Application for review of a decision of a judicial registrar—Form 2 4\n\n8A Application for review of a decision of a Tribunal officer—Form 3 5\n\n9 Lodgement of application for review of decision of a judicial registrar 5\n\n9A Lodgement of application for review of decision of a Tribunal officer 6\n\n10 Application may be lodged by fax, email or other electronic communication 6\n\n11 When application made 6\n\nOrder 3—Judicial registrars 7\n\n12 Powers of judicial registrar 7\n\n13 Review of a decision of a judicial registrar by Tribunal 7\n\n14 Stay 7\n\nOrder 3A—Tribunal officers 8\n\n14A Powers of Tribunal officer 8\n\n14B Review of a decision of a Tribunal officer by Tribunal 8\n\n14C Stay 8\n\nOrder 4—General 10\n\n15 Venues of the Tribunal 10\n\nForm 1—Application for assistance 11\n\nForm 2—Application for review of a decision of a judicial registrar 18\n\nForm 3—Application for review of a decision of a Tribunal officer 20\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes 22\n\n1 General information 22\n\n2 Table of Amendments 24\n\n3 Amendments Not in Operation 25\n\n4 Explanatory details 26\n\n**Version No.** **002**\n\n**Victims of Crime Assistance Rules 2020**\n\n**S.R. No. 88/2020**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n22 February 2021\n\nThe Chief Magistrate together with 2 Deputy Chief Magistrates jointly make the following Rules:\n\nOrder 1—Preliminary\n\n\t1 Objects\n\nThe objects of these Rules are—\n\n(a) to provide for procedure in the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal for the purposes of facilitating applications to the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal under the **Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996**; and\n\nRule 1(b) amended by S.R. No. 9/2021 rule 5.\n\n(b) to provide for powers of judicial registrars and Tribunal officers in the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal and for the review of decisions made by judicial registrars and Tribunal officers.\n\n\t2 Authorising provisions\n\nThese Rules are made under section 57 of the **Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996** and all other enabling powers.\n\n\t3 Commencement\n\nThese Rules come into operation on 28 August 2020.\n\n\t4 Revocations\n\nThe following Rules are **revoked**—\n\n(a) the Victims of Crime Assistance Rules 2010[[1]](#endnote-1);\n\n(b) the Victims of Crime Assistance Amendment No. 1 Rules 2014[[2]](#endnote-2);\n\n(c) the Victims of Crime Assistance Amendment Rules 2016[[3]](#endnote-3).\n\n\t5 Definitions\n\nIn these Rules—\n\n***application for assistance*** means an application under section 26 of the Act;\n\n***application for review of a decision of a judicial registrar*** means an application under section 59A of the Act;\n\nRule 5 def. of *application for review of a decision of a Tribunal officer* inserted by S.R. No. 9/2021 rule 6.\n\n***application for review of a decision of a Tribunal officer*** means an application under section 59A of the Act;\n\n***the Act*** means the **Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996**.\n\nOrder 2—Applications\n\n\t6 Applications for assistance\n\nFor the purposes of section 26 of the Act, the prescribed form of application is in Form 1.\n\n\t7 Lodgements for applications for assistance\n\n(1) Unless paragraph (3) applies, an application for assistance to the Tribunal must be lodged with or posted to a registrar of the Tribunal—\n\n(a) at the venue of the Tribunal nominated by the Chief Magistrate; or\n\n(b) in the absence of any nomination by the Chief Magistrate—\n\n(i) at the venue of the Tribunal that is closest to the applicant's place of residence; or\n\n(ii) if there is more than one applicant in relation to an act of violence and the applicants are not close family members, at the venue of the Tribunal that is closest to the place where the act of violence occurred.\n\n(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), the Chief Magistrate may from time to time, by notice published in the Government Gazette, nominate a venue of the Tribunal as the venue at which an application must be lodged with or posted to, whether generally or for a particular class of application.\n\n(3) An application for assistance made to the Tribunal must be lodged with or posted to the registrar of the Tribunal at Melbourne if—\n\n(a) the applicant resides outside the State; or\n\n(b) the applicant is a related victim; or\n\n(c) the applicant is —\n\n(i) a primary victim or a secondary victim; and\n\n(ii) is aware of the existence of a related victim with respect to the act of violence that is the subject of the application.\n\n(4) Despite paragraphs (1) and (3), a registrar of the Tribunal may accept an application for assistance lodged with or posted to a registrar of the Tribunal at a venue of the Tribunal other than a venue determined in accordance with those paragraphs.\n\n\t8 Application for review of a decision of a judicial registrar—Form 2\n\n(1) An application under section 59A of the Act for review of a final decision of the Tribunal made by a judicial registrar must be in Form 2.\n\n(2) An application for review of a decision of a judicial registrar must be accompanied by an affidavit that sets out the reasons for the application.\n\n(3) The application for review of a decision of a judicial registrar and the accompanying affidavit must be lodged within 14 days after the day on which the final decision of the judicial registrar was made.\n\n(4) The Tribunal may extend time for lodging under paragraph (3) before or after the time expires, whether or not an application for review of a decision of a judicial registrar is made before that time expires.\n\nRule 8A inserted by S.R. No. 9/2021 rule 7.\n\n\t8A Application for review of a decision of a Tribunal officer—Form 3\n\n(1) An application under section 59A of the Act for review of a final decision of the Tribunal made by a Tribunal officer must be in Form 3.\n\n(2) An application for review of a decision of a Tribunal officer must be accompanied by an affidavit that sets out the reasons for the application.\n\n(3) The application for review of a decision of a Tribunal officer and the accompanying affidavit must be lodged within 14 days after the day on which the final decision of the Tribunal officer was made.\n\n(4) The Tribunal may extend time for lodging under paragraph (3) before or after the time expires, whether or not an application for review of a decision of a Tribunal officer is made before that time expires.\n\n\t9 Lodgement of application for review of decision of a judicial registrar\n\n(1) An application for review of a decision of a judicial registrar must be lodged with or posted to a registrar of the Tribunal at the venue of the Tribunal where the decision of the judicial registrar was made.\n\n(2) Despite paragraph (1), a registrar of the Tribunal may accept an application for review of a decision of a judicial registrar that is lodged with or posted to a registrar of the Tribunal at a venue of the Tribunal other than the venue referred to in that paragraph.\n\nRule 9A inserted by S.R. No. 9/2021 rule 8.\n\n\t9A Lodgement of application for review of decision of a Tribunal officer\n\n(1) An application for review of a decision of a Tribunal officer must be lodged with or posted to a registrar of the Tribunal at the venue of the Tribunal where the decision of the Tribunal officer was made.\n\n(2) Despite paragraph (1), a registrar of the Tribunal may accept an application for review of a decision of a Tribunal officer that is lodged with or posted to a registrar of the Tribunal at a venue of the Tribunal other than the venue referred to in that paragraph.\n\nRule 10 (Heading) amended by S.R. No. 9/2021 rule 9(1).\n\nRule 10 amended by S.R. No. 9/2021 rule 9(2).\n\n\t10 Application may be lodged by fax, email or other electronic communication\n\nAn application to which this Order applies may be lodged with a registrar of the Tribunal by fax, email or other electronic communication.\n\n\t11 When application made\n\nRule 11(1) amended by S.R. No. 9/2021 rule 10.\n\n(1) An application to which this Order applies is made when it is received by the registrar of the Tribunal in accordance with Rule 7, 9, 9A or 10.\n\n(2) On receipt of an application, the registrar must note the date of receipt of such application on the application.\n\nOrder 3—Judicial registrars\n\n\t12 Powers of judicial registrar\n\nA judicial registrar—\n\n(a) may exercise any power delegated to that judicial registrar by instrument under section 24(3) of the Act; and\n\n(b) has all the powers of the Tribunal necessary to exercise those delegated powers.\n\n\t13 Review of a decision of a judicial registrar by Tribunal\n\n(1) An application for review of a decision of a judicial registrar must be determined by the Tribunal after consideration of the application and the accompanying affidavit.\n\n(2) The Tribunal, after examining the application and accompanying affidavit may—\n\n(a) determine the review on the papers; or\n\n(b) set a date, time and place for hearing the review.\n\n(3) In determining the review, the Tribunal may—\n\n(a) affirm the final decision; or\n\n(b) set aside the final decision and make another final decision in substitution for it.\n\n\t14 Stay\n\nUnless the Tribunal otherwise orders, the lodging of an application for review of a decision of a judicial registrar does not operate as a stay of any final decision made by a judicial registrar as delegate of the Tribunal.\n\nOrder 3A (Heading and rules 14A–14C) inserted by S.R. No. 9/2021 rule 11.\n\nOrder 3A—Tribunal officers\n\nRule 14A inserted by S.R. No. 9/2021 rule 11.\n\n\t14A Powers of Tribunal officer\n\nA Tribunal officer—\n\n(a) may exercise any power delegated to that Tribunal officer by instrument under section 24(4) of the Act; and\n\n(b) has all the powers of the Tribunal necessary to exercise those delegated powers.\n\nRule 14B inserted by S.R. No. 9/2021 rule 11.\n\n\t14B Review of a decision of a Tribunal officer by Tribunal\n\n(1) An application for review of a decision of a Tribunal officer must be determined by the Tribunal after consideration of the application and the accompanying affidavit.\n\n(2) The Tribunal, after examining the application and accompanying affidavit may—\n\n(a) determine the review on the papers; or\n\n(b) set a date, time and place for hearing the review.\n\n(3) In determining the review, the Tribunal may—\n\n(a) affirm the final decision; or\n\n(b) set aside the final decision and make another final decision in substitution for it.\n\nRule 14C inserted by S.R. No. 9/2021 rule 11.\n\n\t14C Stay\n\nUnless the Tribunal otherwise orders, the lodging of an application for review of a decision of a Tribunal officer does not operate as a stay of any final decision made by a Tribunal officer as delegate of the Tribunal.\n\nOrder 4—General\n\n\t15 Venues of the Tribunal\n\nEach venue of the Magistrates' Court is a venue of the Tribunal.\n\nForm 1—Application for assistance\n\nRule 6\n\nApplication for Assistance\n\n(Victims of Crime Assistance Rules 2020)\n\n**Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal**\n\nRef. No.\n\n| **DETAILS OF PERSON WANTING ASSISTANCE**<br>Surname:<br>Given names:<br>Address: Postcode:<br>Telephone: (H) (W) (M)<br>Occupation:<br>Date of birth:<br>Gender:<br>Male 🞏 Female 🞏 Indeterminate/Intersex/Unspecified 🞏<br>Email:<br>*Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin?<br>***person of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin*** means a person who is descended from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and is accepted as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander  by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander  community.<br>[*Persons of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin should mark both \"Yes\" boxes*]<br>No 🞏    Yes, Aboriginal 🞏   Yes, Torres Strait Islander 🞏<br>**NOTE:** This information will enable the Tribunal to provide you with information to assist your application.<br>Have you previously made an application for assistance or compensation under this Act?<br>Yes 🞏 No 🞏 |\n| --- |\n\n| Have you previously made an application in respect of this act of violence?<br>Yes 🞏 No 🞏<br>Please nominate which category applies to you—<br>1. Primary victim 🞏<br>2. Secondary victim 🞏<br>3. Related victim 🞏<br>4. Application for payment of funeral expenses 🞏<br>**PLEASE NOTE YOU CAN ONLY APPLY IN ONE CATEGORY** |\n| --- |\n\n| **PLEASE COMPLETE THIS SECTION IF YOU ARE MAKING THIS CLAIM ON BEHALF OF A CHILD OR PERSON UNDER DISABILITY**<br>Your full name:<br>Address: Postcode:<br>Telephone:<br>Date of birth:<br>Email:<br>Relationship to applicant: |\n| --- |\n\n| **CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE ACT OF VIOLENCE**<br>What was the act of violence/offence?<br>Where did the act of violence occur?<br>Date of act of violence Time am 🞏 pm 🞏<br>Who committed the act of violence?<br>Sex of alleged offender Male 🞏 Female 🞏 Indeterminate/Other 🞏<br>* Was the alleged offender a family member or domestic partner of the victim? Yes 🞏 No 🞏<br>If yes, how are you related to the offender? I am the offender's<br>[*e.g.: wife, son, father, step-sister, former domestic partner*] |\n| --- |\n\n| **NOTE:** This information is for data collection purposes only.<br>If more than 2 years have lapsed since the act of violence please outline your reasons for not filing an application within this time: |\n| --- |\n\n| **REPORTING DETAILS**<br>Has the act of violence been reported to the Police? Yes 🞏 No 🞏<br>If yes, please provide the officer's details:<br>Name:<br>Registered number:<br>Rank:<br>Police station:<br>Date of report:<br>If the act of violence was not reported, you must provide a statutory declaration setting out the circumstances of the act of violence and provide the reason for the failure to report the matter to police.<br>Have criminal proceedings commenced? Yes 🞏 No 🞏 Unknown 🞏<br>If known, provide any details known to you [*i.e. date and location of hearing*]<br>Are there intervention orders relating to this matter?<br>Yes 🞏 No 🞏<br>Case Number (if known)<br>If the incident occurred in the workplace was it reported to your employer?<br>Yes 🞏 No 🞏<br>Has the act of violence been reported elsewhere? Yes 🞏 No 🞏<br>If yes, please provide details: |\n| --- |\n\n| **WHAT EFFECTS HAVE RESULTED FROM THE ACT OF VIOLENCE?**<br>Physical Yes 🞏 No 🞏<br>Psychological Yes 🞏 No 🞏<br>Grief, distress or trauma Yes 🞏 No 🞏 |\n| --- |\n\n| Provide details:<br>Did you attend a public hospital? Yes 🞏 No 🞏<br>If yes, what hospital? |\n| --- |\n|  |\n| **DETERMINATION OF YOUR APPLICATION**<br>Would you prefer to:    🞏 Attend a hearing at the Tribunal? *OR*   🞏 Have your application determined in your absence?<br>Do you request that:    🞏 Proceedings be conducted in a closed Court?    🞏 Publication of your application be restricted?<br>Do you require an interpreter? Yes 🞏 No 🞏 If yes, specify a language.<br>If the Tribunal makes an award would you like it deposited into your bank account? Yes 🞏 No 🞏 |\n\n- **HAVE YOU APPLIED FOR ASSISTANCE UNDER ANY OTHER SCHEMES?**\n- Still Pending Finalised Amount Received Reference or claim number\n- 🞏 WorkCover 🞏 🞏 $\n- 🞏 Transport Accident Commission 🞏 🞏 $\n- 🞏 Insurance 🞏 🞏 $\n- 🞏 Civil Proceedings/ Sentencing 🞏 🞏 $\n- 🞏 Other (please specify) 🞏 🞏 $\n- Please provide details of a claim under any of these schemes.\n\n| Please supply and attach details of any relevant insurance cover [*life or health*] or superannuation benefit entitlements held and any payments received or to be received—<br>by the applicant<br>by the deceased |\n| --- |\n\n| **TYPE OF ASSISTANCE SOUGHT**<br>**Primary victim**   🞏 Special financial assistance    🞏 Counselling   🞏 Medical expenses<br>🞏 Safety-related expenses<br>🞏 Loss of earnings   🞏 Loss of or damage to clothing   🞏 Other*<br>**Secondary victim**   🞏 Counselling   🞏 Medical expenses   🞏 Loss of earnings*   🞏 Other*<br>**Related victim**   🞏 Distress   🞏 Counselling   🞏 Medical expenses   🞏 Funeral expenses   🞏 Other*<br>🞏 **Funeral expenses only** |\n| --- |\n| *Evidence of exceptional circumstances may be required. |\n\n| **IF DEATH WAS CAUSED BY THE ACT OF VIOLENCE**<br>Full name of deceased:<br>Last known address:<br>Postcode:<br>Date of birth:<br>Relationship to the deceased: |\n| --- |\n\n| Date and place of death:<br>**NOTE:** **YOU MUST ALSO COMPLETE THE RELATED VICTIMS PART OF THIS FORM** |\n| --- |\n\n| **THIS SECTION IS TO BE COMPLETED BY RELATED VICTIM APPLICANTS**<br>As a related victim you are required to list—<br>(a) every other person whom you believe may be a related victim; and<br>(b) every other person whom you believe may allege that he or she is a related victim; and<br>(c) any person whom you believe may apply because they have incurred funeral expenses as a result of the death of the primary victim. |\n| --- |\n| **Name of potential victim**<br>Age of potential  victim if under 18 years of age<br>Guardian of potential victim (if applicable)*<br>Address of potential  victim*<br>Relationship of potential  victim to the deceased<br>******If the potential victim is under 18 years of age, provide the name and address of parent, guardian or administrator.*<br>[*Attach a separate sheet if required*] |\n\n| **AUTHORISATION OF APPLICANT**<br>I authorise the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal to obtain any additional evidence or documentation that the Tribunal considers necessary to enable it to determine my application.<br>**Signature of applicant***<br>**Not required if application lodged online.* |\n| --- |\n\n| **ACKNOWLEDGMENT**<br>I understand and acknowledge that:<br>To the best of my knowledge, all information provided in this application is true and correct and that no details relevant to the application have been left out.   It is an offence under section 67 of the **Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996** to knowingly give false or misleading information in, or in relation to, an application for assistance. |\n| --- |\n| 🞏 By ticking this checkbox I confirm that I have read and understood all the statements above.<br>**Full name of person completing this application**<br>**Signature***<br>**Not required if application lodged online.*<br>Date |\n\n\nForm 2—Application for review of a decision of a judicial registrar\n\nRule 8\n\nApplication for review of a decision of a judicial registrar\n\n(Victims of Crime Assistance Rules 2020)\n\n**Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal**\n\n| **DETAILS OF PERSON SEEKING REVIEW**<br>Surname:<br>Given names:<br>Address: Postcode:<br>Telephone: (H) (W) (M) |\n| --- |\n\n| **DECISION TO BE REVIEWED**<br>I apply to the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal under section 59A of the **Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996** to have the following decision made by a judicial registrar reviewed:<br>Date of decision:<br>Tribunal venue where decision made:<br>Tribunal reference No.:<br>**NOTE:** An applicant must file an affidavit with their application setting out the reasons for seeking a review of a final decision of a judicial registrar. |\n| --- |\n\n| **MATERIAL IN SUPPORT OF REVIEW APPLICATION**<br>Do you wish to file any additional material in support of your review application?<br>🞏 Yes   🞏 No<br>If yes, please file all additional supporting material with the Tribunal within 28 days from the date of this application. |\n| --- |\n| **DETERMINATION OF YOUR REVIEW APPLICATION**<br>Would you prefer to:<br> 🞏 Attend a hearing at the Tribunal? *OR*   🞏 Have your application determined in your absence?<br>Do you request that:<br> 🞏 Proceedings be conducted in a closed Court?    🞏 Publication of your application be restricted?<br>Do you require an interpreter? Yes 🞏 No 🞏 If yes, specify a language. |\n\n| **SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT**<br>Signature:<br>Date:<br>[*signed by the person making the application    for review or the applicant's solicitor*]<br>**NOTE:** An application for review under section 59A of the **Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996** is treated as a hearing de novo of the original application for assistance. Upon review, the Tribunal may either refuse the application for review or make its own decision in substitution for the original order. |\n| --- |\n\n\n\n\nForm 3 inserted by S.R. No. 9/2021 rule 12.\n\nForm 3—Application for review of a decision of a Tribunal officer\n\nRule 8A\n\nAPPLICATION FOR REVIEW OF A DECISION OF A TRIBUNAL OFFICER\n\n(Victims of Crime Assistance Rules 2020)\n\n**Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal**\n\n| **DETAILS OF PERSON SEEKING REVIEW**<br>Surname:<br>Given names:<br>Address: Postcode:<br>Telephone: (H) (W) (M) |\n| --- |\n\n| **DECISION TO BE REVIEWED**<br>I apply to the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal under section 59A of the **Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996** to have the following decision made by a Tribunal officer reviewed:<br>Date of decision:<br>Tribunal venue where decision made:<br>Tribunal reference No.:<br>**NOTE:** An applicant must file an affidavit with their application setting out the reasons for seeking a review of a final decision of a Tribunal officer. |\n| --- |\n\n| **MATERIAL IN SUPPORT OF REVIEW APPLICATION**<br>Do you wish to file any additional material in support of your review application?<br>🞏 Yes   🞏 No<br>If yes, please file all additional supporting material with the Tribunal within 28 days from the date of this application. |\n| --- |\n\n| **DETERMINATION OF YOUR REVIEW APPLICATION**<br>Would you prefer to:<br> 🞏 Attend a hearing at the Tribunal? *OR*   🞏 Have your application determined in your absence?<br>Do you request that:<br> 🞏 Proceedings be conducted in a closed Court?    🞏 Publication of your application be restricted?<br>Do you require an interpreter? Yes 🞏 No 🞏 If yes, specify a language. |\n| --- |\n\n| **SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT**<br>Signature:<br>Date:<br>[*signed by the person making the application    for review or the applicant's solicitor*]<br>**NOTE:** An application for review under section 59A of the **Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996** is treated as a hearing de novo of the original application for assistance. Upon review, the Tribunal may either refuse the application for review or make its own decision in substitution for the original order. |\n| --- |\n\n\nDated: 25 August 2020\n\nLISA HANNAN,  \n*Chief Magistrate*\n\nFELICITY BROUGHTON,  \n*Deputy Chief Magistrate*\n\nSUSAN WAKELING,  \n*Deputy Chief Magistrate*\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes\n\n1 General information\n\nSee [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.\n\nThe Victims of Crime Assistance Rules 2020, S.R. No. 88/2020 were made on 25 August 2020 by the Chief Magistrate together with 2 Deputy Chief Magistrates jointly under section 57 of the **Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996**, No. 81/1996 and came into operation on 28 August 2020: regulation 3.\n\nThe Victims of Crime Assistance Rules 2020 will sunset 10 years after the day of making on 25 August 2030 (see section 5 of the **Subordinate Legislation Act 1994**).\n\nINTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)\n\nStyle changes\n\nSection 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.\n\nReferences to ILA s. 39B\n\nSidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided regulation, rule or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subregulations, subrules or subclauses the original regulation, rule or clause becomes subregulation, subrule or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression \"(1)\" at the beginning of the original regulation, rule or clause.\n\nInterpretation\n\nAs from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:\n\n• Headings\n\nAll headings included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after  \n1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any heading inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.  \nThis includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; Orders; Parts into which an Order is divided; clauses; regulations; rules; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms.  \nSee section 36(1A)(2A)(2B).\n\n• Examples, diagrams or notes\n\nAll examples, diagrams or notes included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Statutory Rule. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Statutory Rule. See section 36(3A).\n\n• Punctuation\n\nAll punctuation included in a Statutory Rule which is made on or after  \n1 January 2001 forms part of that Statutory Rule. Any punctuation inserted in a Statutory Rule which was made before 1 January 2001, by a Statutory Rule made on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Statutory Rule.  \nSee section 36(3B).\n\n• Provision numbers\n\nAll provision numbers included in a Statutory Rule form part of that Statutory Rule, whether inserted in the Statutory Rule before, on or after  \n1 January 2001. Provision numbers include regulation numbers, rule numbers, subregulation numbers, subrule numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).\n\n• Location of \"legislative items\"\n\nA \"legislative item\" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of a Statutory Rule is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.\n\n• Other material\n\nAny explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of a Statutory Rule. See section 36(3)(3D)(3E).\n\n2 Table of Amendments\n\nThis publication incorporates amendments made to the Victims of Crime Assistance Rules 2020 by statutory rules, subordinate instruments and Acts.\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\nVictims of Crime Assistance Amendment Rules 2021, S.R. No. 9/2021\n\n| *Date of Making:* | 17.2.21 |\n| --- | --- |\n| *Date of Commencement:* | 22.2.21: rule 3 |\n\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n3 Amendments Not in Operation\n\nThis version does not contain amendments that are not yet in operation.\n\n4 Explanatory details\n\n1. Rule 4(a): S.R. No. 84/2010. [↑](#endnote-ref-1)\n\n2. Rule 4(b): S.R. No. 13/2014. [↑](#endnote-ref-2)\n\n3. Rule 4(c): S.R. No. 46/2016. [↑](#endnote-ref-3)","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The 2020 Rules replaced earlier rules (Rule 4). A 2021 amendment expanded the procedural framework to add parallel provisions for decisions and reviews of Tribunal officers (inserted Rules 8A, 9A, 14A–14C and Form 3) alongside existing judicial registrar provisions, and clarified lodging and electronic‑lodgement detail (Rules 7, 9, 10). These insertions broaden who may make delegated decisions and who may be the subject of review."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple lodging rules with exceptions and Chief Magistrate nomination for venue (Rule 7(1)–(3), Rule 7(2)).","Delegation of powers to judicial registrars and Tribunal officers and grant of Tribunal-level powers to exercise those delegations (Rule 12; Rule 14A).","Formal review procedure requiring affidavit support and a 14‑day lodgement deadline, with limited extension power (Rule 8(2)–(4); Rule 8A(2)–(4)).","Two parallel review tracks (decisions of judicial registrars and decisions of Tribunal officers) with similar but separately inserted rules and forms (Rules 8, 8A, 9, 9A; Forms 2–3).","Options for the Tribunal to determine reviews on the papers or to list hearings (Rule 13(2); Rule 14B(2)), adding procedural discretion.","Explicit rule that lodging a review does not operate as a stay unless ordered by the Tribunal (Rule 14; Rule 14C), affecting timing and enforcement of decisions.","Permitted electronic lodgement by fax, email or other electronic communication (Rule 10) combined with requirement to record date of receipt (Rule 11(1)–(2)).","Revocation of earlier Rules and later amendments inserted by S.R. No. 9/2021 (Rule 4; note to Rules and amendment notes), which changes the procedural text to consider."],"plain_english_summary":"These Rules set the procedure for applying to the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal: the required forms, where and how to lodge applications (including electronic lodgement), time limits for review (14 days) and how reviews are determined. They also prescribe delegated powers for judicial registrars and Tribunal officers and confirm that lodging a review does not automatically stay the underlying decision.\n\nThey affect victims seeking Tribunal assistance and Tribunal staff; they matter because they allocate who decides administrative matters, impose filing and affidavit requirements, and give officials discretion over venue and acceptance of out-of-venue lodgements."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":3,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains tightly focused on its original purpose of providing procedural rules for the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal. The 2021 amendments added parallel provisions for tribunal officers (mirroring existing provisions for judicial registrars), but this was a logical extension of the existing framework rather than scope creep. The rules still only cover: (1) how to apply for assistance, (2) where to lodge applications, (3) how to review decisions, and (4) general administrative matters."},"complexity_factors":["Short length (15 substantive rules plus 3 forms)","Minimal cross-referencing (primarily references to the parent Act, the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 1996)","Simple conditional logic (basic 'if-then' rules for venue selection in Rule 7)","Only 4 defined terms in the interpretation section","Straightforward procedural structure (chronological order: preliminary, applications, reviews, general)","Forms included in full, which add length but reduce ambiguity by showing exactly what information is required","No nested exceptions or complex deeming provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"These are procedural rules for the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal in Victoria. They set out how victims of violent crime can apply for financial assistance and counselling, and how to challenge decisions made by tribunal staff.\n\n**What this does:**\n- **Establishes the paperwork**: Specifies the forms victims must use when applying for help (Form 1), or when asking for a review of a decision made by a judicial registrar (Form 2) or tribunal officer (Form 3).\n- **Sets out where to apply**: Tells applicants which tribunal office to lodge their paperwork at—usually the one closest to their home, but Melbourne for certain cases like related victims or interstate applicants.\n- **Creates a review process**: Allows applicants to challenge decisions made by judicial registrars or tribunal officers within 14 days, requiring a sworn statement (affidavit) explaining why they disagree.\n- **Enables electronic lodgement**: Permits applications by fax, email or other electronic means.\n- **Defines who can decide what**: Clarifies that judicial registrars and tribunal officers can only exercise powers specifically delegated to them by the Chief Magistrate.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Primary victims**: People directly injured by violent crime.\n- **Secondary victims**: People who witness violence or are injured trying to help victims.\n- **Related victims**: Family members of someone killed by violence, who can claim for grief and funeral expenses.\n- **Tribunal staff**: Judicial registrars (senior court officials) and tribunal officers who process applications.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThese rules ensure victims can navigate the assistance scheme without needing a lawyer. They standardise the process across Victoria, set clear deadlines (14 days for reviews), and provide flexibility in how applications can be submitted. The 2021 amendments expanded the rules to cover tribunal officers as well as judicial registrars, giving victims the same appeal rights regardless of which staff member made the original decision."},"summary":{"complexity_score":2,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Unable to assess whether scope changed from original intent, as the document supplied contains only version history and formatting metadata rather than the substantive legislative provisions. No comparison between an original and amended version is possible from the material provided."},"complexity_factors":["Insufficient substantive content provided — the document appears to be a metadata/version history shell rather than the full legislative text","Statutory rules (subordinate legislation) can be complex when read alongside their parent Act, but no parent Act content is visible here","No operative provisions, definitions, or procedural requirements are included in the supplied text to assess"],"plain_english_summary":"These rules set out how victims of crime access financial help and support through the jurisdiction’s official victims-of-crime assistance scheme, affecting victims, their legal/support representatives, and the agencies that administer assistance. They govern the process, eligibility and timelines for claims and reviews, so following them correctly is essential to receive entitlements.\n\nNote: the supplied document contains little substantive content (mostly metadata/version history), so a full breakdown of specific rights and obligations isn’t possible from the text provided."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/victims-of-crime-assistance-rules-2020","history":"/api/acts/victims-of-crime-assistance-rules-2020/history","analysis":"/api/acts/victims-of-crime-assistance-rules-2020/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/victims-of-crime-assistance-rules-2020/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/victims-of-crime-assistance-rules-2020/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/victims-of-crime-assistance-rules-2020/documents"}}