The National Redress Scheme was created in response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Since 1 July 2018, survivors of institutional child sexual abuse may apply to the National Redress Scheme for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse for a redress payment, access to psychological care and a direct personal response from the responsible institution.

A survivor may be eligible to participate in the Scheme if they:

Institutional child sexual abuse is child sexual abuse for which an Australian institution may be held responsible. This might be where the abuse occurred on the premises of the institution (such as at a school, Children's Home, church or sports club) or was caused by an official or staff member of the institution (such as a teacher, carer, priest or coach).

There are other rules that may affect a survivor's eligibility to access the Scheme. Previous restrictions on survivors who are currently in jail were removed in 2024. Visit the National Redress Scheme website, call 1800 737 377 or seek legal advice to find out more about eligibility and the application process.

What the National Redress Scheme offers

The National Redress Scheme provides eligible applicants with a redress payment of up to $150,000, access to counselling and other psychological and support services, and the opportunity for a direct personal response from the relevant institution on request. If a survivor has already received compensation in relation to the abuse, this amount may be deducted from the final redress payment (adjusted using a formula to account for the passage of time).

An eligible survivor may apply to the Scheme for redress at any time. Many institutions have already joined the Scheme. When an institution that has not joined the Scheme is named in an application for redress, the Redress Scheme will invite the institution to join. Joining is not mandatory and some institutions are not eligible to join due to financial or other constraints. Eligible institutions invited to join that refuse may face financial and other consequences. An application for redress cannot be assessed, and an offer cannot be made to a survivor, unless or until the responsible institution has joined the Scheme. For more information about participating institutions and to search for a particular institution, visit the National Redress Scheme website.

Specific provisions may apply where an institution no longer exists, or in cases where both a state government and non-government institution were responsible for the abuse. Further information on how the Scheme applies in these circumstances can be found on the South Australian Attorney-General's Department website. For an application to be processed, the relevant state and institution must have both joined the Scheme. South Australia joined the scheme on 1 February 2019.

The Scheme has been set up to run for 10 years and applications for redress can be made until 2027. An applicant can only make one application (although that one application may relate to multiple institutions). If an offer for redress is made, the applicant has a strict 6-month timeframe to accept or reject the offer.

Legal help

A specialist community legal service has been established to provide survivors with free legal advice and information on redress options. Knowmore (Legal Service) has offices in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland and provides an outreach service to other areas. Call knowmore's free advice line on 1800 605 762 or visit the knowmore website.

For more information about the National Redress Scheme, including who can apply, how to apply, and information on support services available, call 1800 737 377 or visit the National Redress Scheme website.

Other help and support

Nunkuwarrin Yunti: Dedicated Aboriginal support workers provide confidential and culturally safe support and advocacy services to Aboriginal people who are thinking about applying for redress. Call 08 8406 1600 or visit the Nunkuwarrin Yunti website for more information.

Relationships Australia: through Elm Place, Relationships Australia (SA) provides information, advocacy, case management and counselling services to those affected by childhood sexual abuse in institutional care. Call 1800 998 187 or visit the Elm Place website for more information.

Victim Support Service: VSS can provide counselling, information, advocacy and assistance for those affected by childhood sexual abuse in institutional care. Call 1800 842 846 or visit the Victim Support Service website for more information.