If you are a victim of a violent crime in Victoria, you can apply to go on to the Victims Register.

This service contacts victims to update them on the offender’s sentence and when the offender is:

The Victims Register can give you some information about the offender’s sentence, such as when they are due to be released from prison.

You need to fill out the Victims Register Application form to go on the register.

The offender will not know if you go on the register or get information about them.

Who can apply to go on the Victims Register?

You can get information about the offender if you or a family member has been affected by a crime such as:

  • assault
  • armed robbery
  • stalking
  • kidnapping
  • family violence
  • threats to kill
  • sexual offences
  • culpable driving
  • manslaughter
  • murder.

You can go on the Victims Register if:

  • the offender hurt you or a family member
  • a family member has died because of the crime
  • you have been a victim of family violence from the offender
  • you have a significant connection to the crime, such as if you were a witness for the prosecution in the court case.

You cannot be put on the Victims Register if:

  • the offender is a young person and detained in a Youth Justice Centre
  • the offender has not been sentenced
  • the offender was sentenced to a community corrections order
  • the offender is serving a sentence in another state or territory
  • the offender's sentence, parole, supervision order or detention order has finished or they are transferred interstate
  • the offender was found not guilty because of mental impairment.

How do I apply?

To apply for the Victims Register you need to fill out the Victims Register Application form. There are two ways to do this.

For most people, using our online form is the most convenient way to complete the application.

Online Victims Register Application form

If you wish to use a nominee to receive information from the Victims Register

Some people choose to have another person (a nominee) receive information for them from the Victims Register. Please complete the printable application form if you wish to include a nominee in your application. 

Printable Victims Register Application form

There are strict laws about who can go on to the register, so the application form will ask you for:

  • proof about who you are
  • what type of crime happened and how you or a family member were connected to it
  • the name of the offender and when the crime happened.

If you want to ask any questions or need help filling out the form, you can:

Getting information from the Victims Register

You can let the Victims Register know in your application about how you would like to be contacted.

You can also decide if you would prefer someone you trust to get this information instead of you, such as a:

  • close friend
  • family member
  • case worker.

You can change your nominated person at any time. You can also choose to be removed from the register at any time.

Your privacy is protected

The Victims Register is private. The offender will not know:

  • that you are on the register
  • if you get information about them.

You can be informed about when the offender is due to be released

One of the main things the Victims Register can let you know is when the offender is due to be released from prison. This can happen because the offender has:

 

Information the Victims Register can tell you

Information about the offender’s sentence such as:

  • the length of the offender’s sentence
  • the offender’s earliest possible release date
  • if the length of the offender’s sentence changes
  • if the prisoner is granted or denied parole
  • if the offender escapes from prison
  • if the offender dies during their sentence.
  • if the offender is transferred to another state of Australia or the custody of immigration officials (The Department of Home Affairs)
  • if the offender absconds from parole or while on a supervision or detention order
  • the release of the offender into the community, including when the offender participates in community team sports
  • details about the offender’s parole and conditions that may be applied to help protect your safety
  • details about supervision or detention orders, if the offender is placed on one as part of the post sentence scheme following the end of their sentence.
 

Information you cannot be given

There is information that victims cannot be given by the Victims Register or other criminal justice services, such as Corrections Victoria or the Adult Parole Board.

Some examples of information you cannot get are:

  • the prison where the offender is serving their sentence
  • where the offender will live when they are released
  • details of any program the offender attends or completes
  • details of any assessments about the offender
  • details of any appeal hearings related to the case
  • details of court hearings for any other crimes the offender may have committed.

After the offender’s sentence finishes

The Victims Register cannot give you any further information about an offender after they finish their sentence, unless they are placed on:

  • a supervision order
  • a detention order.

You can learn more about supervision and detention orders.

The Prisoner Compensation Quarantine Fund

The Prisoner Compensation Quarantine Fund is a scheme to hold money awarded to offenders while they are in prison so that victims may have the opportunity to make a legal claim.

Being on the Victims Register is the easiest way to find out if an offender is awarded a compensation payout. The register will contact you to let you know and explain what to do next if you want to make a legal claim.

You can learn more about the Prisoner Compensation Quarantine Fund.

Inclusivity Statement:

The Victims Register values diversity, inclusion and social justice, and are committed to treating people of all cultures, ethnicities, gender identities, bodily diversities, sexual orientations, ages, abilities and religions with dignity and respect.