Request legal recovery expenses
Part of the Financial assistance for victims topic
Request legal expenses in relation to your financial assistance application.
On this page
In short
You can request legal expenses for legal fees directly related to advice given for applying for financial assistance.
You must submit your completed application online or by email. See How to request recovery expenses for the full application process.
What you should know
There are requirements you must follow to submit a request for recovery expenses.
- Complete Part A: Application for financial assistance for victims of crime online form or a paper form.
- If a Part A or paper form has already been completed for this act of violence, you do not have to complete another one.
- Only request legal expenses for:
- getting advice from a legal practitioner about applying for financial assistance
- completing the application form and including supporting documents
- using legal representation to apply on your behalf.
- Provide invoices or receipts for the legal expenses.
Not all legal costs will be covered.
Update your request for recovery expenses
Email VictimAssist@justice.qld.gov.au if you need to make changes to your request for legal expenses at any time.
Who can apply
You can only request legal expenses if you:
- are the victim of an act of violence that happened in Queensland
- are the parent of a child who was a victim of an act of violence that happened in Queensland
- are the witness to an act of violence in Queensland
- are a family member of a person killed by an act of violence in Queensland
- have an injury from an act of violence
- have, or someone else has, reported the crime.
Who cannot apply
You cannot apply if you are claiming:
- expenses over $500
- legal fees for services unrelated to making a financial assistance claim, such as:
- domestic violence protection orders
- lawsuits or family court matters
- immigration or tenancy matters
- other criminal or financial matters.
How to request recovery expenses
Choose how to request and follow the steps.
Step 1: Gather your documents
Gather evidence of your:
- unique application number, your submission ID for the application, or the day you submitted the application
- receipts or invoices for legal expenses.
See Supporting documents for victims of crime in the Help centre.
Step 2: Complete the Part B application form
Complete the Part B application form.
Step 3: Upload your documents
Upload your supporting documents to the form.
PDF, PNG or JPG max. 200KB
Step 4: Acknowledgement and consent
You must acknowledge the privacy statement and consent to the terms and conditions for requesting recovery expenses for victims.
Step 5: Submit your application
Submit the Part B application.
Step 6: Receive confirmation
You will get a confirmation email that your application has been successfully submitted and unique submission ID.
Step 1: Select the application form
If you have already completed and submitted a paper form, do not complete another paper form. You can request recovery expenses by completing the online Part B application or by email.
If you have not submitted a previous application, select application form through Apply for financial assistance for victims.
Step 2: Gather your documents
Gather evidence of your:
- unique application number, your submission ID for the application, or the day you submitted the application
- receipts or invoices for legal expenses.
See Supporting documents for victims of crime in the Help centre.
Step 3: Attach documents to your application
Attach a scanned copy or take a picture of the documents to the email.
Step 4: Submit your request
Email your request with your unique application number in the subject line, attach your receipts or invoices and supporting documents to:
Email: VictimAssist@justice.qld.gov.au
Step 5: Receive confirmation
You will get a confirmation that your email has been received.
How long it takes
It may take many months before Victim Assist Queensland is able to assess your recovery expenses.
If we require further information, we will contact you directly.
Once you receive an email remittance with the amount that will be paid, it will be deposited into the requested bank account within 5–10 business days.
You can check the status of your application using the application status checker.
From the Help centre
Find answers to frequently asked questions about services, including:
Proof of identity documents for victims of crime
Supporting documents for victims of crime
Request information from Victims Assist Queensland
Resources for victims and service providers
Find more in the Help centre.
Managed by: Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support