Overview

The National Redress Scheme was established in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (the Royal Commission). It is a way to acknowledge that many children were sexually abused in Australian institutions, to hold institutions to account for this abuse, and help people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse gain access to counselling and psychological services, a direct personal response, and a monetary payment. The Scheme started on 1 July 2018 and will run for 10 years.

How did the National Redress Scheme come about?

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse listened to thousands of people about the abuse they experienced as children in an institution.

Read the fact sheet on institutional sexual abuse.

The Royal Commission recommended that redress be made. In response, the Australian Government set up the National Redress Scheme. Redress is support that acknowledges the damage done to people as children. It holds institutions accountable.
Up-to-date information on the Scheme is available on the National Redress Scheme website.

What does the Redress Scheme include?

The National Redress Scheme provides access to: 

  • counselling, 
  • a payment, and
  • the option of a personal response from the institution (e.g. an apology).

You can accept any or all of these things. This is your choice. 

Read the fact sheet on what you can apply for. 
Read the fact sheet on using and protecting your information.

Redress Support Services

Redress support services are available Australia-wide. You can find a list of services available following the link below or read on to find out about Interrelate’s free and confidential services. 

See details of services that can assist you with the National Redress Scheme here.

Interrelate Redress Support Services

Interrelate is funded by the Department of Social Services (DSS) to deliver Redress Support Services in the following SA4 boundary areas:

  • Central West
  • Far West and Orana
  • Hunter Valley exc Newcastle 
  • Newcastle and Lake Macquarie 


Free, confidential support services are available before, during and after the application process.

Services can be provided in person, online (via zoom) or by phone. Evening and weekend appointments are also available.

The roles of the Redress Support Services are to:            

  • provide accessible, client-focused support and counselling to support applying for redress
  • support people to describe their experience in their application
  • support people through the application and outcomes process
  • support people who receive an offer of redress with supportive, warm-referrals to the Scheme’s legal support services
  • assist people who accept an offer of redress support to engage with the relevant institution for a Direct Personal Response
  • provide supportive referrals to legal support services, financial support services, counselling and psychological care providers
  • refer to or collaborate with appropriate services to provide social and practical support to clients during the application process such as housing, health, mental health, financial and aged care services to meet the critical needs of the individual,
  • collaborate with other organisations, such as local community groups, to support people’s engagement with the Scheme
 

Support is available to clients:

  • prior to application so clients understand the application process from end to end, the eligibility requirements, and the steps involved 
  • during the application process, answering questions clients may have, helping them complete and lodge applications
  • during the notification periods so the client can understand what is being communicated and be provided with support to help process the information
  • when a decision is made in respect to the application, and 
  • after the offer of redress is issued to the client to help them access Counselling and Psychological Care, Direct Personal Response or other related referral.


To access this service via telephone, call us on 1300 473 528.

Who can apply to the National Redress Scheme?

You can apply to the National Redress Scheme if you: 

  • Experienced institutional child sexual abuse before 1 July 2018, and 
  • Were born before 30 June 2010, and 
  • Are an Australian citizen or permanent resident.  


For you to access redress, the institution responsible for the abuse must have joined the National Redress Scheme. 
 
Some circumstances can affect applications. Please seek further information if you are under 18, have been sentenced to gaol for 5 or more years, are currently in gaol, if you are uncertain if the institution responsible has joined the Scheme, experienced abuse involving an institution that hasn’t joined the National Redress Scheme, have received previous payments related to the abuse or would like to pursue a civil court case. 

How to apply? 

The National Redress Scheme starts on 1 July 2018. It will run for 10 years. You can make an application at any time between now and 30 June 2027. You can apply by filling out a paper or online application. You do not have to tell your story in person. 

The National Redress Scheme will work as quickly as possible to process applications. This may take between 3 and 12 months. People can take as much time as they need to complete their application and they will have up to 6 months to consider the offer of redress.

Read the fact sheet on getting free help to apply. 
Read the fact sheet on filling in the application. 
Read the fact sheet on how your application is considered.
Read the fact sheet on responding to an offer or asking for a review.

After hours support

For after hours immediate assistance contact:

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 

Lifeline 13 11 14

1800 Respect 1800 737 732 

Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467

Mensline 1300 78 99 78 

In an emergency call Triple Zero (000). 

 

  • Western
  • Hunter

Program locations