National Redress Scheme – Update
This is the National Redress Scheme (the Scheme) update. It includes details on a recent community workshop in New South Wales, the Scheme data regarding application processing and an update on participating institutions.
The update contains material that could be confronting or distressing. Sometimes words or images can cause sadness or distress or trigger traumatic memories, particularly for people who have experienced past abuse or childhood trauma.
Support is available to help you if you need it. To find out more, go to
www.nationalredress.gov.au/support.
If you need immediate support, 24-hour telephone assistance is available through:
- Beyond Blue (link is external): 1300 224 636
- MensLine Australia (link is external): 1300 789 978
- Lifeline (link is external): 13 11 14
Community Workshops
On 22 June 2023, NSW Redress Support Services led a half-day workshop in Parramatta for community organisations about the Scheme.
The workshop raised awareness of the Scheme among community organisations supporting victims of institutional child sexual abuse. It also focussed on how people living with a disability can interact with, and access the Scheme.
The next workshop for community organisations and services will be held from 9:30am – 1pm on 17 August 2023 at The Art House in Wyong, NSW. The event is free and morning tea and lunch will be provided. You can register through Eventbrite.
Scheme Data
As at 14 July 2023, there have been 28,341 applications to the Scheme. We have contacted 13,611 applicants to advise them of the outcome of their application.
Of all applications:
- 12,886 have been finalised (determined as either eligible or ineligible, with offers of Redress either accepted or declined)
- 12,145 payments have been made totalling approximately $1.077 billion dollars
- 987 have been withdrawn by the applicant
- 14,468 applications are on hand with the Scheme, of which:
- 645 are with applicants, awaiting a decision on their offer of Redress
- 1,735 are with institutions, awaiting a response to a Request For Information
- 3,920 are on hold (for reasons such as at the request of the applicant; where further information has been requested from the applicant; where there is difficulty contacting the applicant or due to a non-participating institution)
- 8,168 are in progress with the Scheme, of which:
- 5,717 are being actioned
- 2,451 are temporarily unable to be actioned (for reasons such as awaiting contact from the applicant, or awaiting extra information).
Participating institutions update
The government encourages all institutions who have a history of interacting with children to sign up to the Scheme as soon as possible.
When a new institution joins the Scheme or the status of a participating institution changes, the Minister signs a Declaration which is an official list of all participating institutions. As of Declaration 4 of 2023, signed by the Minister on 28 June 2023:
- all Commonwealth and State and Territory government institutions and 484 non government institutions are now participating in the Scheme.
- approximately 69,000 sites across Australia are now covered by the Scheme.
- 104 unique institutions have been declared under the Funder of Last Resort (FOLR) arrangements.
- These institutions are defunct and the Commonwealth and/or relevant state governments are the FOLR.
The Declarations are available on the Federal Register of Legislation:
For the latest information about institutions, visit our website:
ACS Mutual is no longer participating in the National Redress Scheme
From Friday 30 June 2023, ACS Mutual is no longer participating in the National Redress Scheme.
ACS Mutual represented a number of institutions in the Scheme, including Australian Christian Churches, schools, ministries and missions, as participating groups or lone institutions.
There will be no impact on applications naming institutions ACS Mutual represented if they were received by the Scheme before 30 June 2023.
If an application naming an organisation that previously participated through ACS Mutual is lodged on or after 30 June 2023, the organisation will be encouraged to join the Scheme as soon as possible to ensure survivors are not disadvantaged.
Click here to find out about Organisations whose participation ceases as a result of ACS Mutual leaving the Scheme.
To find out more about institutions that have joined the Scheme, search for institutions that have joined the Scheme.
Find out more
For further information about the Scheme, go to www.nationalredress.gov.au or call 1800 737 377 Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm AET from Australia or +61 2 6222 3455 from overseas.
For regular updates about the Department of Social Services and the Scheme, you can ‘like’ or ‘follow’ the Australian Families Facebook page: