Lunch & 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.

Who should attend?

Lunch and Learn sessions are designed for both specialist and non-specialist family violence practitioners under MARAM, with particular focus on professionals who may want to learn more about navigating family violence risk in their roles.

Please register by Tuesday 14th April to attend. We look forward to seeing you there!

Further Information about the Lunch & Learn: 

This session is booked out. What should I do now?
We encourage you to add your name to the waiting list. If a place becomes available, you will receive an email inviting you to register.

How does NIFVS use my contact information?
We will add your contact details to the NIFVS mailing list. This will mean you will receive the monthly NIFVS eNews and information about upcoming professional development opportunities. If you would prefer not to receive this information, please us know at info@whin.org.au.

Where will I find the link to join the session?
The Zoom link will be emailed to you once you complete the registration process.

Will the session be recorded?
Unfortunately we are unable to record the Lunch & Learn session. All practitioners are encouraged to participate on the day of the session.

Lunch & Learn sessions are informed by your input. You can fill out this 5 minute survey to have your say on future sessions.

Acknowledgment of Country

The Northern Integrated Family Violence Services acknowledges Victorian Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we provide our services – the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation – and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. NIFVS acknowledges that Aboriginal sovereignty was never ceded and expresses hope for justice and reconciliation.