About the National Redress Scheme

The National Redress Scheme has been created in response to recommendations by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse listened to thousands of people about the abuse they experienced as children. The abuse happened in orphanages, Children’s Homes, schools, churches and other religious organisations, sports clubs, hospitals, foster care and other institutions.

What is the National Redress Scheme?

The National Redress Scheme:

  • acknowledges that many children were sexually abused in Australian institutions
  • recognises the suffering they endured because of this abuse
  • holds institutions accountable for this abuse, and
  • helps people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse gain access to counselling, a direct personal response, and a Redress payment.

The National Redress Scheme involves:

  • People who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse who can apply for redress.
  • The National Redress Scheme team — Commonwealth Government staff who help promote the Scheme and process applications. They have made this site.
  • Redress Support Services — free, confidential emotional support and legal and financial counselling for people thinking about or applying to the Scheme.
  • Participating Institutions that have agreed to provide redress to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.
  • Independent Decision Makers who consider applications and make recommendations and conduct reviews.

You can find information more information about the Scheme in :

Using this site to find out about or apply to the National Redress Scheme

This site has been designed by the National Redress Scheme team for people who are considering applying for redress.

We have designed the site hoping it will not cause further distress. But we know there will be times when we don’t achieve that goal. You can give feedback and ideas on how to make the site better.

Words used on this page

Application
The application is available online or by paper. You can make an application at any time between now and 30 June 2027.
Child
A child is a person under the age of 18.
Child Sexual Abuse
Under the Scheme, child sexual abuse is when someone involves a person under the age of 18 in sexual activities that they do not understand, or that are against community standards.
Counselling
People can apply for this as part of the National Redress Scheme. Depending on where people live they will receive a lump sum to pay for services in their local area or a referral to services.
Independent Decision Maker
Independent Decision makers will consider applications for redress. They are highly experienced people from a range of backgrounds.
Institution
An institution means an organisation, such as a school, a church, parish, mission, a club, an orphanage or Children’s Home; or government department.
Institutional Child Sexual Abuse
When the child sexual abuse occurred, for example, on the premises of an institution, or where activities of an institution took place (such as a camp), or by an official of an institution.
National Redress Scheme
The Australian Government set up the National Redress Scheme to provide redress to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse. The offer of redress can include: access to counselling, a redress payment and a direct personal response.
Redress
Redress means acknowledging harm done. The National Redress Scheme provides counselling, a direct personal response and a Redress payment.
Review
If you do not agree with a decision we make, you can ask us to look at it again. This is done by a different Independent Decision Maker.
Scheme
The National Redress Scheme for people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse. See National Redress Scheme.