Community Legal Centres NSW has developed the Victims Services Community Worker Training Program to equip social workers, health workers and support workers with the knowledge and resources to complete victims' financial support forms accurately and to provide appropriate supporting evidence to community legal centres making applications.
The training will provide guidance for making eligible applications and understanding the nuances of the application process, plus tips for avoiding common mistakes. It aims to ensure that more victim-survivors receive the financial support they are entitled to under the Victims Rights and Support Act.
Workshop content has been developed by a statewide working group of experts from community legal centres and women’s health services across NSW.
Why this training?
The process of applying for financial support under the Victims Support Scheme is complex and requires accurate documentation. The legislation outlines specific eligibility criteria for victims with various financial assistance categories and strict time limits for submitting claims. Incorrectly completed forms and poor-quality supporting evidence can render victim-survivors ineligible for support.
Recent changes under the Civil Law Blueprint mean that Legal Aid NSW no longer assists with initial applications, focusing solely on representation. Community legal centres are increasingly filling this gap by either making applications, supporting other services to make applications, or appealing Victims Services decisions where applications have been rejected.
Workshop schedule
See all dates in the program and register here.
Host a workshop
If your community legal centre would like to host a workshop in partnership with CLCNSW, please fill in this form.
Collaborators
The content of these training workshops is a collaborative effort, with input from:
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Benevolent Society Campbelltown
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Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre
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Clayton Utz
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Hume Riverina Community Legal Service
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Illawarra Legal Centre
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MacArthur Women’s Health Centre
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Marrickville Legal Centre
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Mid North Coast Legal Service
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Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre
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Redfern Legal Centre
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Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre
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Women’s Legal Service NSW