Court Fund

The Court may order money to be paid to the Court Fund as part of an adjourned undertaking or diversion plan. Funds are then disbursed to various community organisations to support services, programs, projects and events that directly benefit members of the community. They cannot be used for administrative costs (i.e. wages of any kind, rent, stationery, electricity, monthly accounts, debts or vehicle costs).  

Funding is available as a one-off payment or fixed term arrangement of up to two years. All applications are reviewed by MCV’s Court Fund Central Committee to ensure payments directly benefit the community and make the greatest impact for their local area. 

For more information, view the Court Fund guidelines.

When do applications for Court Fund open?

MCV welcomes applications from all eligible community groups and organisations. 

Applications for Court Fund are now open. Applications will be assessed at each financial quarter (four times a year). Please see the expected time frame in the Court Fund guidelines.

Who can apply for a Court Fund payment?

A Victorian community organisation/agency can apply for a Court Fund payment if they: 

• provide a service that benefits the Victorian community; 
• do not intend to use Court Funds to cover prior expenses or administrative costs (i.e. wages of any kind, rent, stationery, electricity, monthly accounts, debts or vehicle costs); and 
• meet at least one of the following: 
  • are registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC);  
  • are a Not-For-Profit group with a committee of management or similar, a governing document and its own legal identity; 
  • are supported under an auspice arrangement with another not-for-profit organisation with its own legal identity; or 
  • are a public agency (school or health service) with Court Funds to be used to address critical social issues, such as the key impact areas.   

Key impact areas

• Cultural diversity 
• Disability inclusion 
• Drug and/or alcohol dependency  
• Economic disadvantage 
• Family violence  
• Homelessness / housing  
• Koori community / self-determination 
• LGBTIQA+ 
• Mental health 
• Physical environment 
• Social inclusion 
• Youth

What can the Court Fund payment be used for?

The Court Fund can be used for services, programs, projects and events that directly benefit members of the community, such as: 

• Medical costs, emergency housing, food and other materials to support people experiencing financial hardship and/or homelessness. 
• Teaching materials, including certificates and frames, for English language classes for asylum-seekers and newly-arrived groups. 
• Purchase of sports equipment to support programs for young people at risk of offending. 
• Art materials and food for an Indigenous community celebration. 

Court Fund payments cannot be used for administrative costs (i.e. wages of any kind, rent, stationery, electricity, monthly accounts, debts or vehicle costs).  

What funding is available?

MCV provides funding in line with the available Court Fund balance each financial quarter.  

The amount depends on incoming court-ordered payments, which may fluctuate throughout the year. 

Court Fund payments are distributed by one of two arrangements: 

• One-off: one lump sum payment  
• Fixed-term: maximum two-year arrangement with funding provided quarterly, subject to availability. 

Assessment criteria for each payment type can be found in the Court Fund guidelines. 

How are funds allocated?

Applications are reviewed against the assessment criteria by the respective local committee, which will then make recommendations to MCV’s Court Fund Central Committee for final decision.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome via an email from the Court Fund team. 

How long does the process take?

Applications are assessed once per quarter, with payments made to successful applicants roughly two months after the application closing date.

See the full expected payment time frame in the Court Fund guidelines. 

Next steps and support 

Before applying for a Court Fund payment, ensure your application meets the requirements contained in the Court Fund guidelines and that you have all the required supporting documentation and information to hand.  

You can then complete the online Court Fund application form. 

If you have any questions about the Court Fund process, or would like to request a PDF version of the application form, please email courtfund@courts.vic.gov.au.