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Victims Register

Registering with the Victims Register

Application Form

Hard copy registration forms are available from your local courthouse or alternatively we can mail the forms to you.

Who is eligible to be placed on the Victims Register?

To be eligible for registration, a person must be:

  • the actual victim of an offence of violence or a sexual offence for which an offender has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment (unless it is wholly suspended) or who is a supervised dangerous prisoner (sexual offender);
  • an immediate family member of a victim who has died as a direct result of an offence of violence;
  • a parent or guardian of a victim of an offence of violence or sexual offence who has a legal incapacity or who is under 18 years.

Who is considered to be an 'immediate family member'?

The Corrective Services Act 2006 defines 'immediate family member' as a person's spouse, de facto, child, step-child, parent, step-parent, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, grandparent or legal guardian. In the case of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, extended family relationships may also be recognised.

Can a victim nominate another person to register on their behalf?

Yes. If a victim of crime would prefer that someone else, such as a friend or family member (called a nominee), receive the information about the offender on their behalf, they should indicate this when applying for inclusion on the Register. A victim can also nominate a government or non-government agency to receive information on their behalf if that entity agrees e.g. children under the care of the Department of Communities - Child Safety or Justice Groups.

If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact the Victims Register on 1800 098 098 or email us at victims.register@dcs.qld.gov.au

Can anyone else register?

A person who does not meet the above registration criteria may still be considered for placement on the Victims Register if the person can demonstrate:

  • a documented history of violence against them by an offender e.g. a current Domestic Violence Order; or
  • that their life or physical safety may be endangered due to a connection to the offence for which an offender has been imprisoned e.g. they may have given evidence against the offender in a court proceeding.

Applications submitted under this category will only be accepted for registration in certain circumstances. Information provided to applicants registered under this category may be limited to the actual release date of an offender.

What happens to an application to register once it is submitted to the Victims Register?

The Victims Register will assess a person's eligibility for registration and may seek further information or clarification from either you or the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, the Queensland Police Service or the Magistrates Court to verify offender details, charges, convictions and sentencing. Remember, the more information you can provide the quicker we can process your application. Court Victim Liaison Officers at your local courthouse can assist you to fill out your registration form or Victims Register staff can assist you over the phone.

Once an application has been approved and processed, the registered person or their nominee will receive a letter from us confirming their registration. This letter will also provide information about the offender's charges, sentence, release and eligibility dates and the correctional centre in which the offender is currently accommodated or the Probation and Parole District Office which currently supervises them.

The Victims Register will inform registered victims when the offender experiences a change in his or her location, release dates, or if the offender lodges an application for parole. Information, in most cases and for security reasons, is provided after a change has taken place.

Even if there are no changes in an offenders circumstances, the Victims Register will write to you once a year to ensure that you have the most up to date information.

Last updated: 29 June 2011