Forensic cleaning

After a violent crime occurs, the property where the crime took place may require professional cleaning services to make it safe and liveable again. Crime scene cleaning can range from removing minor traces left by police investigations to dealing with serious situations involving blood or other hazardous materials.

Property owners and family members should avoid attempting to cleaning the crime scene because of health and safety issues. Instead, we recommend seeking assistance from qualified companies that specialise in crime scene cleaning.

Eligible victims may get up to $5,000 in financial assistance through the Victims Support Scheme. This can help cover your immediate needs following the homicide, including the cost of crime scene cleaning, as well as other urgent security, relocation or travel needs.

Who can apply?

You can apply for financial assistance for immediate needs to cover the cost of forensic cleaning if you are a: 

• primary victim
  
• family victim
  
• service provider, such as a forensic cleaner.
  

Visit Eligibility criteria for more information about primary victims. To learn more about assistance for family members of a homicide victims and information for crime scene cleaning, see Support for family members of a homicide victim.

How long do I have to apply?

The timeframe for applying will vary depending on your individual circumstances:

• If you were an adult when the incident happened, you need to apply within 2 years of the incident.
• If you were a child when the incident happened, you need to apply within 2 years of turning 18 years old. 
• If you are a family victim or service provider, you need to apply within 2 years from the date the death was established as a homicide, or within 2 years of turning 18 if the family victim was a child at the time. 

How do I apply?

To apply, please select the relevant online application form and follow the instructions to complete your application:

• If you are a primary victim:
  • complete the Application for Support to apply for financial assistance for immediate needs
  • use the Claim for Expenses (PDF, 373.2 KB) to claim forensic cleaning if you have already been approved for financial assistance for immediate needs.
• If you are a family victim, complete the Application for Support for Family Members of a Homicide Victim. 
  
• If you are a service provider, complete the Forensic Cleaning Expenses form. 
  

If payment is approved for a family victim or service provider, the amount will be paid from an eligible family member’s financial assistance for immediate needs.

If you’re unable to apply online, you can download a PDF application form and send your completed form and supporting documents to us by email or post. 

What do I need to apply?

All applicants need to provide a completed application form along with copies of itemised tax invoices or receipts for the costs they are claiming and a description of how the costs are related to the crime.

Family victims also need to give a clear copy or image of their current government-issued identification, such as a driver licence, passport, Medicare card or Centrelink card. Visit Supporting documents to see a list of identification documents we accept.

Important information about applications for victims support

Some people are not eligible for support, even if they are a victim of crime. For more information on persons who are not eligible, see section 25 of the Victims Rights and Support Act 2013. 

There are also circumstances where support may be declined or the amount reduced. For more information on those circumstances, see section 44 of the Victims Rights and Support Act 2013.

Factors for consideration under section 44 include, but are not limited to:

• Any behaviour on the part of the deceased which has directly or indirectly contributed to their death, including past criminal activity.
• Any money the applicant has received from another source in relation to the violent crime, including under an insurance policy or other agreement. 

Information about crime scene clean up