Request an internal review of a Victorian financial assistance decision
MaintainedLast reviewed
Key facts
- Human involvement
- YellowClose supervision
- How AI is used
- From the notice of decision, list the date of the decision, the 28-day review date, the findings the client disputes, and any further documents the lawyer marks. Do not write the grounds.
- What the lawyer must review
- Decide whether a review is still open, or whether an extension will be sought
- Write the grounds and the explanation for any delay
- Settle the request before it is lodged
Rules that apply
The document starts from the task name. Change it if this piece of work is different.
The work product
Forum. Victorian Financial Assistance Scheme, internal review
Produce. A review worksheet and a request shell, with the grounds left for the lawyer.
Have ready. Notice of decision; Date the client was notified; Documents the lawyer marks for the review.
Example of the limit. Illustrative example: The notice is dated 3 March and allows special financial assistance but not the full medical expenses. The worksheet records the 28-day date and the medical finding in dispute. The grounds are blank until the lawyer writes them.
Stop and hand it back when
- The notice of decision is not on the file.
- The draft contains grounds the lawyer has not written.
Sources for this task were checked on 2026-10-23.
Who does what
| Role | What they do |
|---|---|
| Assistance | From the notice of decision, list the date of the decision, the 28-day review date, the findings the client disputes, and any further documents the lawyer marks. Do not write the grounds. |
| Lawyer | Set the scope, supervise the work closely, verify every part relied on, resolve omissions and exceptions, and approve the exact output. |
Checklist
- Calculate 28 days from the Financial Assistance Scheme decision. The guidelines say the notice of decision includes the review deadline. Use that date if it is on the notice.
- If the 28 days have passed, list the delay facts the lawyer marks. Do not write the explanation. The scheme can extend time and will consider the reasons and whether the delay affects a fair decision.
- Limit the request to the part of the decision the client disputes, such as one head of assistance.
- Do not treat internal review as an appeal to a tribunal. These guidelines describe an internal review by the scheme.
Forms and precedents for this task
| Form or precedent | Kind | AI use | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| FAS internal review and variation: where to apply | Form | AI use Yellow | Guide to the Financial Assistance Scheme portal paths for an internal review, a variation after a final decision, and a variation of a transitioned VOCAT award. |
Signed-in accounts can read the full text of each one. All precedents.
Sources
- Victims of Crime Victoria: internal review time limits · 2026-10-23
- Victims of Crime Victoria: Financial Assistance Scheme guidelines · 2026-10-23
The guidelines give examples of delay, including safety, a medical condition, and waiting on evidence. They are examples, not a closed list.
The tool does not write the grounds. The request the client or the scheme receives is settled by the lawyer.