The National Redress Scheme is coming to an end. Applications will be accepted until 30 June 2027. Information on how to apply to the Scheme is available on the How to apply webpage on our website. There are also accessible resources on the Resources webpage that explain the Scheme and the application process. These include resources for First Nations peoples, people living with disability, and translated materials. You can also contact us by phone on 1800 737 377 from anywhere in Australia, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

Please be aware this 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, visit the Redress Support Services page on our website.

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

Connecting and raising awareness at the National Disability Summit

The Scheme attended the National Disability Summit 2026 (the Summit) in Melbourne on 17 and 18 September. The Summit brought together key stakeholders who support people with disability, and offered a valuable platform to raise awareness of the Scheme, particularly as applications to the Scheme close on 30 June 2027. This was an important opportunity for us to connect with disability advocates, service providers, government representatives, peak bodies and community organisations from across Australia.

Visitors to the National Redress Scheme exhibition stall could learn about eligibility, the application process, available support services and the range of resources that have been developed specifically for people with disability. We have produced accessible information and guidance to help people with disability, their families, carers and support workers understand and engage with the redress process. These resources are available on the National Redress Scheme website - Resources for People with Disability webpage.

We enjoyed connecting with attendees from the sector. For more information about the National Disability Summit, please visit the National Disability Summit website(Opens in a new tab/window).

Direct Personal Response

Have you accepted a direct personal response, or are you supporting someone who has?

If you are found eligible for redress and accept the direct personal response (DPR) component of your redress offer, you will be able to receive a DPR. To begin the process, you or your support person must contact the institution(s) listed on your redress offer before the Scheme ends.

A DPR is a survivor-led process. This means you decide whether to participate and what you would like the DPR to involve. The process will only begin if and when you choose to contact the institution.

The institution's contact details are on the Confirmation of Redress letter that you receive after you return your acceptance documents to the Scheme. If you no longer have this letter, or need support to contact the institution, please contact us on 1800 737 377 Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm and ask to speak with the DPR Information and Support team.

Every survivor's experience of a DPR is different. For some people, it can provide an opportunity to receive acknowledgement of the harm they experienced and its ongoing impacts. For others, it may be a chance to ask questions, share their experiences, receive an apology or have their voice heard.

Support people and institutions play an important role in creating a process that is respectful, safe and responsive to your needs and choices.

A DPR could include:

• a written apology
• a face-to-face meeting
• a special action or gesture to acknowledge your experience
• a response that respects your culture, identity and background
• another form of response that feels meaningful to you and can be provided safely by the institution.

A DPR can bring up a range of feelings and emotions. For this reason, it may be helpful for you to seek support and consider your options for a DPR well before the Scheme ends. Giving yourself time to reflect, prepare and access support can help you feel safe, informed and supported through the process.

No one has to navigate this process alone. Free and confidential support services are available to help you understand your options, prepare for a DPR, and access support before, during and after the process.

To access support you can:

• contact a Redress Support Service. A list of Redress Support Services is available on the National Redress Scheme website - Redress Support Services webpage
• speak with a trusted support person, such as a friend, family member, counsellor or other support professional
• call us on 1800 737 377 Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
• if you have accepted the counselling and psychological care component as part of your redress offer, now could be a good time to connect and begin these arrangements. Visit the Counselling and Psychological Care webpage on the National Redress Scheme website for services in your State or Territory.

Why there can be delays when gathering information for your application

Many survivors tell us waiting for updates while their application is at the information gathering stage can be difficult and frustrating. We understand waiting can feel uncertain, especially when there appears to be little movement on your application.

During this stage, we gather information that an Independent Decision Maker needs to assess your application. This includes requesting relevant information from the institution or institutions named in your application.

Institutions need time to search their records and respond. When institutions gather information they may search historical records, retrieve information from archives or storage and confirm details from many years ago.

Sometimes the process can take longer because institutions have changed names, changed ownership, or no longer exist. In some cases, an institution may identify other organisations that could hold information. When this happens, we must gather information from these institutions as well.

The Scheme will also adjust deadlines for requests for information from institutions that would be due between 24 December 2026 and late January 2027. This is to account for the Department of Social Services end of year closedown period, school holidays, public holidays and reduced institutional staffing during this time. This can mean it takes slightly longer to get information back from institutions.

An Independent Decision Maker then uses all the relevant information gathered, alongside your application and any additional information from you to make a redress determination.

While this stage can take time and there may be no visible change to your application status, please be assured that work is happening behind the scenes. We remain committed to progressing applications as carefully and accurately as possible.

Redress Support Service spotlight: ACT Disability, Aged and Carer Advocacy Service (ADACAS)

Are you considering applying to the Scheme or supporting someone on their redress journey?

ADACAS offers free, independent and confidential support to people thinking about applying to the Scheme and those already engaging with the Scheme.

ADACAS use a compassionate, trauma-informed and person-centred approach. They can help you understand the Scheme, explore your options and access information to support informed decision-making throughout the redress process.

ADACAS provides practical assistance to complete your application, confidential advocacy and support to connect with other services. Advocates work at your pace and in ways that feel right for you. They recognise that every person's redress journey is unique.

Support is available to eligible people across Australia. ADACAS can provide face-to-face support throughout their service areas in the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales. For people living elsewhere, ADACAS can provide support by phone or video call. 

ADACAS contact details:

• email: adacas@adacas.org.au
• website: adacas.org.au
• operating hours: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday.

Survivors can choose a Redress Support Service that best suits their needs. If ADACAS is not the right fit, our website has a list of Redress Support Services .

Scheme data

As at 31 August 2026 there have been 85,969 applications to the Scheme

• 30,836 applicants have had their outcomes advised. Of these 24,082 payments have been made totalling approximately $2.14 billion dollars
• 6,279 have been withdrawn or closed  
• 48,854 applications are yet to have their outcome advised. Of which:
  • 32,852 applications are actionable by the Scheme.
    • 7,378 applications are being validated with the initial contact being made
    • 17,769 applications are in the information gathering stage
    • 7,231 applications are with an IDM for determination
    • 474 applications are being prepared for delivery of the outcome
  • 9,698 applications are unable to be actioned by the Scheme. Of these:
    • 7,405 are awaiting the applicant to provide additional information
    • 2,293 are undergoing special assessment for serious criminal conviction
• 6,327 applications are on hold
• over the last 6 months the Scheme has received an average of 1,721 per month
• over the last 6 months 361 reviews have been requested and 177 have been completed, of those completed 48.6% resulted in an increase in redress payment.

• There were an average of 357 applications received per month in FY18-19, 262 per month in FY19-20, 316 per month in FY20-21, 499 per month in FY21-22, 894 per month in FY22-23, 1,360 per month in FY23-24, 1,644 per month in FY24-25, and 1,534 per month in FY25-26.

For the month of August:

• 993 applications have been resolved
• 32.6% of survivors have identified as a First Nations person
• 32.4% of survivors have indicated they are living with a disability
• 32.6% of survivors are Care Leavers*
• 63.5% of survivors accepted a Direct Personal Response (DPR) as part of their redress offer
• 13 survivors completed a DPR with 16 institutions
• 12 survivors made contact with 12 institutions to begin the DPR process.

*Care leavers are defined as applicants who indicated any of the following on their application: they were a foster child, in relative kinship, court-ordered care or a child migrant.

Please note the counts provided will slightly differ from previous versions as closed cases are now included. Closed cases include applications that are not eligible to apply to the Scheme.

Participating institutions update

The National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Declaration 2018 (the Declaration) is an official list of all participating institutions. It is updated when new institutions join the Scheme as either fully-participating, partly-participating or defunct institutions, or the status of a participating institution changes. The Declaration is available on the Federal Register of Legislation(Opens in a new tab/window).

One declaration has recently been signed by the Acting Deputy Secretary, Service Delivery. As at 5 September 2026, there are 732 fully-participating institutions, 190 defunct institutions and 42 partly-participating institutions declared as participating in the Scheme.

The following non-government institutions have been declared as participating incorporated lone institutions:

• Aboriginal and Islander Community Independent School Incorporated
• ‘Bahloo' Womens Youth Shelter Assoc Inc
• Black & White Cabs Pty Ltd
• Christian Community Ministries Ltd
• Glory Gathering Australia Ltd
• HOTA Gold Coast Pty Ltd
• La Trobe University
• Moreland Bus Lines Proprietary Limited
• "Preshil" The Margaret Lyttle Memorial School
• Seacliff Community Recreation Association Incorporated
• The Nepean District Christian Education Association Ltd
• Youth Care Support Services Pty Ltd.

The following four institutions will become participating institutions that are both members of, and the representative for, a participating group:

• Australian Rugby League Commission Limited
• Karingal St Laurence Limited
• North-Western Suburbs Tennis Association Incorporated
• WMCA Redress Ltd.

The Declaration Amendment also declares Little Athletics Victoria (previously a lone institution) as the representative for, and member of, a participating group for 13 institutions.

The following institution has been declared as a FOLR institution under sections 164 and 164A:

• Christian Centre Church of Christ Eidsvold (QLD).

The following institutions have been declared as FOLR institutions under section 164A:

• KIDS Open Learning School (WA)
• Smithton Gospel Hall (TAS)
• Southland International Community Limited (QLD)
• The Spot Community Services Limited (QLD).

The following institutions have been declared as partly-participating institutions under section 164B:

• Box Hill Athletic Club Inc. (VIC)
• Brothers Toowoomba Junior Rugby League Inc (QLD)
• Chandler Swimming Club Inc. (QLD)
• Chelsea & District Basketball Association Inc. (VIC)
• Cockburn Netball Club Incorporated (WA)
• Flyers Ice Hockey Club Inc (NSW)
• Hallett Cove Little Athletics Centre Incorporated (SA).

The Declaration Amendment revokes the following institutions as participating institutions of the Scheme:

• The South Australian Branch of The Scout Association of Australia
• St. Albans Vietnamese Alliance Church Inc along with its unincorporated predecessor, St Albans Vietnamese Christian and Missionary Alliance Church, from the Christian and Missionary Alliance of Australia Inc participating group
• The Reformed Church of Inala from the Christian Reformed Churches of Australia participating group
• The Church of Christ Dulwich Inc and Leigh Creek United Parish from the Churches of Christ in South Australia and the Northern Territory participating group, and
• The Society of the Catholic Apostolate Incorporated participating group and its members from the Scheme.

Current applications, or applications lodged prior to the revocation of these institutions, will be funded by the institutions.

For the latest information about institutions, visit the Institutions page on our website. If you have concerns about an institution’s participation status with the National Redress Scheme, please contact the National Redress Scheme on 1800 737 377 to speak to someone about your application.