National Redress Scheme – Update

This update covers information and support during Coronavirus, recent data on application progress, institutions, and related initiatives.  

Support is available to help you if you need it. To find out more, go to www.nationalredress.gov.au/support. More information is also provided under ‘Information and services during Coronavirus’ below. 

Information and Services during Coronavirus

Our priority continues to be processing applications and delivering outcomes. We are doing everything possible to process applications and are working closely with participating institutions.

If you call the National Redress Scheme Information Phone Line (1800 737 377) from Australia or +61 6222 3455 from overseas you will be able to leave a voicemail message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

The Scheme continues to accept and process applications. If you need to lodge a document, provide identity documents or have any queries regarding the Scheme, please contact the National Redress Information Phone Line on the above numbers and leave a message.

If you need immediate support, 24-hour telephone assistance is available through:

If you need assistance with your redress application or emotional support in applying you can contact a Redress Support Service. We are aware that many providers are operating in a different manner because of the impact of Coronavirus. In most circumstances they will be able to provide assistance over the phone.

If you need information about Coronavirus and what the Government is doing, go to http://www.health.gov.au or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. This line operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Application progress at 28 February 2020

As of 28 February 2020, the Scheme: had received 6,331 applications, had made 1,612 decisions, including 1,275 payments totalling over $103.3 million, had made 289 offers of redress, which applicants have six months to consider, was processing 3,921 applications, had 886 applications on hold, including 546 because one or more institution named had not yet joined, and about 340 because they required additional information from the applicant.As of 28 February 2020, the Scheme:

  • had received 6,331 applications
  • had made 1,612 decisions, including 1,275 payments totalling over $103.3 million
  • had made 289 offers of redress, which applicants have six months to consider
  • was processing 3,921 applications
  • had 886 applications on hold, including 546 because one or more institution named had not yet joined, and about 340 because they required additional information from the applicant.

Institutions 

Please note, the Churches of Christ mentioned in the 6 February 2020 media release refer to two Churches of Christ institutions (Nowra Church of Christ and Castle Hill Community Church) that have joined the Scheme under insurance company ACS Mutual LTD. Churches of Christ in NSW and ACT are in the process of joining the Scheme and will be declared in the second quarter of 2020. 

Northern Ireland Historical Institutional Abuse Redress Board 

Northern Ireland has created a historical institutional abuse compensation scheme after several inquiries into historical institutional abuse of children. Anyone who suffered abuse as a child while resident in a Northern Ireland institution between 1922 and 1995 (inclusive) can claim compensation under the scheme. The scheme started on 31 March 2020 and will remain open for five years. To find out more, go to www.hiaredressni.uk.

The Redress Support Service Child Migrant's Trust is available to assist any former child migrants from Northern Ireland with information about the scheme. Contact Child Migrant's Trust for more information on 1800 040 509, or you can use the contact form on their website. 

Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

The Disability Royal Commission has been created in response to community concern about widespread reports of the neglect, abuse, exploitation of and violence against people with disability.

Anybody can make a submission to the Royal Commission. A submission can be submitted in any way you feel comfortable - by telephone, email, video or through the Commission's website.

On 16 March 2020, the Royal Commission announced it was suspending all public events until further notice due to concerns about the spread of Coronavirus. This is to help keep people safe, especially people with disability.

For more information and to keep updated on the Royal Commission's work, go to the Commission’s website.

Find out more

To find out more about the National Redress Scheme, go to www.nationalredress.gov.au or call 1800 737 377 from Australia or +61 3 6222 3455 from overseas and leave a message.