Thinking about applying

This section has information for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse who are thinking about applying to the National Redress Scheme.

You can apply to the National Redress Scheme up to 30 June 2027.

It is normal to feel nervous or distressed about the idea of applying.

We have designed the application process hoping it will not cause further distress. But there still might be times when this process may be difficult.

You may want to think about talking to someone you know and trust to give you support. You can also get support through the Redress Support Services. These services can provide you with emotional support, support to apply, legal advice, or help with managing your financial situation.

The steps are:

1. Deciding to apply
2. Filling in the application
3. Confirming your identity

If you would rather chat to someone than read this website you can call the National Redress Scheme on 1800 737 377 Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm AET (call charges may apply).

Deciding to apply

This information might help you to decide whether or not to apply:

• Who can apply?
• You can only apply for the Scheme once.
• You will need to choose between the National Redress Scheme and civil litigation as it is not possible to apply for both.
• How a redress payment might affect your finances.
• If you are terminally ill or elderly your application can be actioned quickly so you can receive redress as soon as possible.
  • From 17 September 2021, the Scheme may offer an advance payment of redress for some elderly or terminally ill applicants. You do not need to ask for this payment, the Scheme will contact you if you are eligible.
• You can withdraw your application up until an offer is made.
• How your information will be used and protected.

Filling in the application

It's your choice how you apply. You can apply online or by paper. You won’t be asked about your experience in front of a person or panel.

• Download the paper Application for Redress

You can also get a copy by calling 1800 737 377 and getting an application sent to you or asking a Redress Support Service for one.

• You can apply online through myGov. You can create a myGov account at any time if you don’t already have one.

Before you apply you might like to think about who could give you support to apply. If you would like support you could speak to someone you already know and trust or Redress Support Services can help.

If you would like this person to talk to the Scheme on your behalf, you can arrange to have a nominee.

• Download the Redress Nominee Form for more information about what nominees can do on your behalf in the Scheme.

If you have any questions about the Application for Redress please call the National Redress Scheme on 1800 737 377. If you are overseas, please call +61 3 6222 3455 and ask to speak to someone from the National Redress Scheme.

To apply you need to:

• Decide if you prefer to apply online or by paper. They ask the same questions.
• Complete all three parts of the application. You can attach copies of supporting documents if you have them, but you will still need to complete the application.
• Confirm your identity.
• Sign and date the form. If applying online you can fill in this form and sign it digitally.
• Make and keep a copy of your application for your records.
• Apply in your own time and pace; you can complete the application in multiple sessions if you wish.
• Be thorough. While you can provide updates or submit a new application, once a determination is made, you cannot provide any further information or apply again.

** From 17 September 2021, changes made to the Scheme mean you no longer need to complete a statutory declaration. A new design of the Application for Redress is now available. If you have completed the old form, please sign and date the form. It does not need to be witnessed.

The Application for Redress is made up of the following:

Part 1 asks personal information

This section asks for information about:

• your name, date of birth and contact details
• your eligibility for the Scheme
• your identity

You need to answer all of the questions in Part 1.

Part 2 asks about your experience of sexual abuse

This section asks questions about your experience of child sexual abuse and non-sexual abuse, please:

• write about the institution responsible for the abuser having contact with you
• if you were abused in more than one institution, please include each one separately in this application
• answer with as much detail as you can

Part 3 asks about the impact sexual abuse has had across your life

You need to answer this question however, you can choose if this information is provided to relevant institutions. If you don’t want this information to be provided to institutions you must indicate this when prompted at question 58 of the application form.

Declaration

• You will need to sign and date the form to tell the Scheme you have read the declaration statements at the end of the application.
• The Scheme cannot accept an application where the declaration is not signed and dated. We will contact you if this is missing.
• It is an offence to provide false or misleading information and statements in a redress application.

Note: On 17 September 2021, changes to the Scheme removed the need to complete a statutory declaration.

Checklist

There is a checklist at the back of the application so you can make sure your application is complete.

Redress application identifier

The Scheme will create one unique identification number that will be attached to your application, known as a Redress ID.

Please keep a record of this number, as it will help if you need to make changes or ask questions about your application.

Getting help to apply or having someone else apply for you

Under the National Redress Scheme, there are two ways of getting help to apply or having someone else apply for you. They are having a legal nominee or an assistance nominee.

A nominee is a person or an organisation who can act on your behalf with the National Redress Scheme. A nominee may be a person or an organisation.

If you choose to have a nominee regardless of type, they must fill in the Redress Nominee Form.

More information on nominees.

Confirm your identity

Confirming your identity is one way your privacy and information is protected. There are options for confirming your identity for the National Redress Scheme.

Using your Centrelink Customer Reference Number (CRN)

If you choose to use your CRN, the National Redress Scheme team will call you to ask some questions about your identity and to discuss next steps.

In most cases, we can confirm your identity over the phone. If you need to lodge a document, provide identity documents or have any queries regarding the National Redress Scheme, please contact the National Redress Scheme Information Phone Line on 1800 737 377 from Australia (call charges may apply) or +61 3 6222 3455 from overseas to discuss your options.

I don't have a CRN

If you do not have a CRN or choose not to use it, please contact the National Redress Scheme Information Phone Line on 1800 737 377 from Australia (call charges may apply) or +61 3 6222 3455 from overseas to discuss your options. You will be asked to leave a voice mail message and we will return your call as soon as possible.

What if I don't have identity documents

It may be difficult for some people to confirm their identity. If you are finding it hard to find your identity documents, please contact the National Redress Scheme Information Phone Line on 1800 737 377 from Australia or +61 3 6222 3455 from overseas.