Request legal recovery expenses

Request legal expenses in relation to your financial assistance application.

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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.

Start the online form

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.

Last updated:
4 August 2026