National Redress Scheme Update

The National Redress Scheme has been created in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. This Scheme acknowledges the abuse suffered by children in Australian institutions and recognises the suffering they have endured.

Benefits under the Scheme may be available to victims of child sexual abuse where the abuse occurred before 1 July 2018 and an institution was responsible for putting the victim in contact with the offender. These benefits may include financial redress and support services.  

The Scheme commenced on 1 July 2018 and will run for 10 years. 

To date, there are more than 40,800 institutions who have opted into the Scheme, including all States and Territory Governments and 56 non-Government organisations, such as churches, schools, homes, charities and community groups across Australia.  Recently, an additional 875 institutions have joined the Scheme.

As of 4 October 2019, the National Redress Scheme has received over 5,048 applications from survivors of instructional abuse.  At present, approximately 750 determinations have been made, totalling over $51.3m. 

There are also approximately 618 applications on hold as the institution named on the application has not yet opted into the Scheme.  The Government is urging other institutions to opt into the Scheme to allow survivors to access the support as soon as possible. 

The non-Government institutions who have recently joined the Scheme are:

1. The Order of the Sisters of the Presentation in Queensland.
2. The Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance.
3. The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints.
4. The Armidale School.
5. Yooralla.
6. Sister of the Good Shepherd.
7. The Friends’ School.
8. The Churches of Christ in Queensland.
9. The Franciscan Friars.

The Anglican institutions who have now joined the Scheme are:

1. Anglican Church Property Trust Diocese of Sydney.
2. Church Missionary Society - Queensland with Northern NSW.
3. Church Missionary Society - Tasmania Incorporated.
4. Church Missionary Society - Western Australia Incorporated.
5. Glebe Administration Board. 
6. The Illawarra Grammar School.
7. Sydney Diocesan Services.
8. St Andrews Cathedral Gawura School.
9. The Council of St Andrews Cathedral School.
10. The Council of Trinity Grammar School.
11. Calrossy Anglican School.
12. Christ Church Grammar School Incorporated.
13. Perth College Incorporated.
14. St Hilda’s Anglican School for Girls Incorporated.
15. St Marys Anglican Girl School.
16. The Council of Barker College.
17. Guildford Grammar School Incorporated.
18. Meridan School.
19. St Bartholomew’s House Incorporated.
20. The Council of St Catherine’s School, Waverley.
21. The Anglican Church of Australia Collegiate School of St Peter (t/as St Peters College)

For more information including a list of the local institutions that have joined the Scheme, please visit www.nationalredress.gov.au. 

If you would like more information about the Scheme or you would like to discuss your possible rights and entitlements under the Scheme, we recommend that you contact one of our experienced solicitors.

The contents of this publication are for reference purposes only. This publication does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Specific legal advice should always be sought separately before taking any action based on this publication