Registering with the Victims Register

Information that may be provided includes:

• the offender’s charges
• the offender’s sentence
• release and eligibility dates
• the correctional centre in which the offender is currently accommodated
• the Probation and Parole District Office which currently supervises them
• when the offender experiences a change in their location
• if the offender lodges an application for parole
• the outcomes of that application
• if the offender escapes
• if the offender dies

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.

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.

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 

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.

The Victims Register will assess a person’s eligibility for registration, the more information you can provide the quicker your application will be processed. 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 provide all the information mentioned above in What information may be provided?

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.

Yes. The details of applicants are held securely at the head office of Queensland Corrective Services. Offenders are not informed when a person is placed on the Victims Register.

Your registration will remain current until an offender has completed their sentenced unless:

• the victim requests to be removed
• the offender dies in custody
• the offender is transferred interstate or overseas
• the victim discloses, for public dissemination, any offender information related to them by Victims Register