Until the results of the federal election are clear, caretaker conventions are in effect. This means updates from the National Redress Scheme will only have National Redress Scheme data and participating institutions updates.

Scheme data

As at 4 April 2025, there have been 59,343 applications to the Scheme.

• 21,671 applicants have had their outcomes advised. Of these 18,287 payments have been made totalling approximately $1.63 billion dollars
• 2,683 have been withdrawn
• 34,989 applications are yet to have their outcome advised. Of which:
  • 23,231 applications are actionable by the Scheme.
    • 5,271 applications are being validated with the initial contact being made
    • 13,026 applications are in the information gathering stage
    • 4,558 applications are at the Decision Management stage
    • 376 applications are being prepared for delivery of the outcome
• o    4,973 applications are unable to be actioned by the Scheme. Of these:
  • 3,292 are awaiting the applicant to provide additional information
  • 1,681 are undergoing a special assessment for serious criminal conviction/applying from gaol
• o    6,785 applications are on hold.

Participating institutions update

The Minister's Declaration is an official list of all participating institutions. It is updated when a new institution joins the Scheme or the status of a participating institution changes.

As at 8 April 2025, data regarding participating institutions remains the same as included in the March update.

The Declarations are available on the Federal Register of Legislation(Opens in a new tab/window). For the latest information about institutions, visit the Institutions page on our website.
 

Redress Scheme visits Albury-Wodonga, NSW/Victoria:

A free half-day community organisation workshop about the National Redress Scheme will be held in Albury, NSW on Thursday 27 March 2025. The workshop will be held at the Atura Hotel, Albury from 9:30am - 1:30pm AEDT.

The workshop will provide community organisation attendees with information about the National Redress Scheme and other similar schemes that are currently active for people in NSW and Victoria. The workshop will have a focus on people who come from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

The session will discuss the different purposes and functions of the schemes, as well as how to engage with these services, and access free confidential and culturally safe support.

Government representatives will be participating to share information and answer questions, and there will be presentations from various Redress Support Services and Knowmore(Opens in a new tab/window) Legal Service.

Please note, attendance at these workshops is limited to staff in community groups, organisations, and services. There is limited capacity for each event, please register your organisation’s attendance below.

Register your organisation’s attendance through the online registration form(Opens in a new tab/window).

These are part of a series of Redress Support Service-led workshops to raise awareness of the Scheme. To register your interest in future workshops, email DSSRedressEngagement@dss.gov.au.

Victorian Redress Scheme and the National Redress Scheme:

The Victorian Redress Scheme for Historical Institutional Abuse (Victorian Redress) began accepting applications on 10 December 2024 and will operate for 18 months.

• The Victorian Redress Scheme is open to people who:
  • lived as a child (before the age of 18) in a Victorian institution for at least 6 months (in total) before 1 January 1990
  • experienced physical, psychological, or emotional abuse or neglect in the Victorian institution.
• Under the Victorian Redress Scheme, people found eligible will be offered:
  • a payment up to $20,000
  • a personal apology – in person or in writing, 
  • up to 20 funded counselling sessions.

If you are an applicant to the National Redress Scheme and receive a payment from the Victorian Redress Scheme, you should let the National Redress Scheme know.

A payment from the Victorian Redress Scheme can be considered a ‘relevant prior payment’ by the National Redress Scheme and may reduce your National Redress Scheme payment in some circumstances. You will still be able to apply to the National Redress Scheme if you have received Victorian Redress.

If you would like to discuss how a Victorian Redress Scheme payment can impact a National Redress Scheme payment you can contact the National Redress Scheme on 1800 737 377. 

If you would like further information about the Victorian Redress Scheme, you can:

• visit their website Redress for Historical Institutional Abuse - DFFH Services(Opens in a new tab/window)
• contact the Victorian Redress Scheme in between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday on 1800 716 870 (free call)
• contact the Victorian Redress Scheme via email at victorianredress@dffh.vic.gov.au
• contact these free and confidential support services to help you apply to the Victorian Redress Scheme:
  • Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) – 1800 008 774
  • Child Migrants Trust - 1800 04 05 09
  • Connecting Home – 8679 0777
  • Drummond Street Services – 9663 6733
  • IGFF (In Good Faith Foundation) – 1300 124 433
  • Open Place (Relationships Australia Victoria) – 1800 779 379
  • Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) – 9287 8800

What happens when the Federal Election is announced

Once the government announces the federal election the National Redress Scheme will go into a caretaker period. This means routine and administrative operations of departments and agencies will continue as usual, however major policy decisions that may commit the incoming government will be put on hold.

What does this mean for the National Redress Scheme: During the caretaker period, National Redress Scheme operations will continue as normal, including calls to and from the National Redress Scheme, submission and processing of applications, contact with institutions and working with Redress Support Services. However, you may see less updates to the National Redress Scheme website, a pause on the National Redress Scheme’s monthly newsletter and other external facing communications.

If you would like more information, it can be found by looking at the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions(Opens in a new tab/window) provided by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Scheme data

As at 31 January 2025, there have been 55,740 applications to the Scheme.

• 21,071 applicants have had their outcomes advised. Of these 17,810 payments have been made totalling approximately $1.59 billion dollars
• 2,516 have been withdrawn by the applicant
• 32,153 applications are yet to receive an outcome. Of which:
  • 20,673 applications are actionable by the Scheme.
    • 4,152 applications are being validated with the initial contact being made
    • 12,207 applications are in the information gathering stage
    • 3,807 applications are with an IDM for a determination
    • 507 applications are being prepared for delivery of the outcome
  • 4,580 applications are unable to be actioned by the Scheme. Of these:
    • 3,012 are awaiting the applicant to provide additional information
    • 1,568 are undergoing a special assessment for serious criminal conviction/applying from gaol
  • 6,900 applications are on hold.

Participating institutions update

The Minister's Declaration is an official list of all participating institutions. It is updated when a new institution joins the Scheme or the status of a participating institution changes.

As at 13 March 2025:

• 3 Declarations have been signed, bringing new participating and partly-participating institutions into the Scheme.
• 18 lone institutions and 4 participating groups have been declared as participating non-government institutions.
• 3 institutions have been declared as partly-participating non-government institutions.

The Declarations are available on the Federal Register of Legislation(Opens in a new tab/window).

The National Redress Scheme is aware of messages being sent via social media containing misleading and inaccurate information about the Scheme. Information about the Scheme should only be obtained from trusted sources. You should not provide personal information that may put you at risk. 

Further information about safeguarding yourself and your application can be found on our website. Government funded Redress Support Services are available to provide free localised practical and emotional support throughout your application process. 

If you are concerned about any information you have received about the Scheme, call the National Redress Scheme on 1800 737 377 for confirmation.

Redress Scheme visits Fairfield, Sydney NSW

A free half-day community organisation workshop about the National Redress Scheme will be held in Fairfield, Sydney NSW on Thursday 20 February 2025. The workshop will be held at Settlement Services International.

The workshop will provide community organisation attendees with information about the National Redress Scheme and other similar schemes that are currently active for people in NSW. The workshop will have a focus on people who come from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

The session will discuss the different purposes and functions of the schemes, as well as how to engage with these services, and access free confidential and culturally safe support.

Government representatives will be participating to share information and answer questions, and there will be presentations from various Redress Support Services and Knowmore(Opens in a new tab/window) Legal Service.

Please note, attendance at these workshops is limited to staff in community groups, organisations, and services. There is limited capacity for each event, please register your organisation’s attendance below.

Register your organisation’s attendance through the online registration form.(Opens in a new tab/window)

Redress Scheme visits Albury-Wodonga, NSW/Victoria

Planning is underway for a free half-day community workshop about the National Redress Scheme, to be held in the Albury-Wodonga region at the Atura Hotel, Albury, Thursday 27 March 2025 from 9.30am – 1.00pm AEDT. More information about this event will be shared closer to the date.

These are part of a series of Redress Support Service-led workshops to raise awareness of the Scheme. To register your interest in future workshops, email DSSRedressEngagement@dss.gov.au.

Please note, attendance at these workshops is limited to staff in community groups, organisations, and services. There is limited capacity for each event, please register your organisation’s attendance below.

Register your organisation’s attendance through the online registration form.(Opens in a new tab/window)

Protected Information reminder

The protection of applicants’ deeply personal information and institutions’ sensitive information is paramount to the National Redress Scheme. The Scheme takes its responsibility for protected information seriously to reduce the risk of re-traumatisation for survivors and maintain the integrity of, and trust in, Scheme processes and decision making.

Media outlets, applicants, government and non-government institutions, and other relevant stakeholders are reminded that information about a person or an institution that is held by the National Redress Scheme is protected information and cannot be disclosed unless authorised in accordance with the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Act 2018.

Penalties apply to the unauthorised disclosure of protected information in certain circumstances.

Please refer to the protected information factsheet or contact the Scheme on 1800 737 377 for more information or to report suspected unauthorised disclosure of protected information.

Scheme data 

As at 31 January 2025, there have been 55,740 applications to the Scheme.

• 21,071 applicants have had their outcomes advised. Of these 17,810 payments have been made totalling approximately $1.59 billion dollars
• 2,516 have been withdrawn by the applicant
• 32,153 applications are yet to receive an outcome. Of which: 
  • 20,673 applications are actionable by the Scheme.
    • 4,152 applications are being validated with the initial contact being made
    • 12,207 applications are in the information gathering stage
    • 3,807 applications are with an IDM for a determination
    • 507 applications are being prepared for delivery of the outcome
  • 4,580 applications are unable to be actioned by the Scheme. Of these:
    • 3,012 are awaiting the applicant to provide additional information
    • 1,568 are undergoing a special assessment for serious criminal conviction/applying from gaol
  • 6,900 applications are on hold.

Participating institutions update

The Minister's Declaration is an official list of all participating institutions. It is updated when a new institution joins the Scheme or the status of a participating institution changes.

As at 30 January 2025, data regarding participating institutions remains the same as included in the September update.

The Declarations are available on the Federal Register of Legislation(Opens in a new tab/window). For the latest information about institutions, visit the Institutions page on our website.

The end of the year can be a difficult time for many people. 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 through:

• Full Stop Australia: 1800 385 578 or Full Stop Australia(Opens in a new tab/window)
• Beyondblue: 1300 224 636 or beyondblue(Opens in a new tab/window)
• 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 or 1800RESPECT(Opens in a new tab/window)
• MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978 or MensLine Australia(Opens in a new tab/window)
• Lifeline: 13 11 14 or Lifeline(Opens in a new tab/window)
• Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 or Suicide Call Back Service(Opens in a new tab/window)
• 13YARN: 139 276 or 13YARN(Opens in a new tab/window)
• Triple Zero: 000(Opens in a new tab/window) or Triple Zero(Opens in a new tab/window)

Please note: The National Redress Scheme’s 1800 737 377 phone number and main Prison line will be closed on Wednesday 25 December 2024, Thursday 26 December 2023 and Wednesday 1 January 2025

Incarcerated applicants will be able to reach out to their prison Social Worker should they require any immediate assistance. 

Institutions declining to participate in the Scheme

After a survivor names an institution in an application, that institution has 6 months from the Scheme’s first formal contact with them to join the Scheme.

The Government has introduced consequences, with the aim at encouraging institutions to join the Scheme.

From 4 December 2024, the following 6 institutions have been added to the list of institution that have not joined:

• Darwin Cycling Club – Northern Territory
• Townsville Indoor Sports (Wildcatz Indoor Sports) – Reby Enterprises Pty Ltd - Queensland
• New Norfolk District Football Club – Tasmania
• Knox Basketball Incorporated – Victoria
• Crown Coaches – Victoria
• Christian Youth Camps – Western Australia

In addition to being named as declining to participate in the Scheme, these institutions are now ineligible to access future Australian Government grant funding until they choose to participate. Affected applicants have been notified, and the Scheme will continue to encourage these institutions to join.

December 2024 communique from the Ministers Board Meeting

The Ministers responsible for the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (the Scheme) met via video conference on 4 December 2024.

Ministers confirmed their resolute and ongoing commitment to working collaboratively on improving the Scheme for the benefit of survivors. Ministers agreed to form a steering committee of State and Territory officials to progress work in preparation for the eighth anniversary review, and also agreed to amendments to the Direct Personal Response Framework.

The full communique can be read on the Ministers for the Department of Social Services webpage(Opens in a new tab/window). The next Ministers’ Redress Scheme Governance Board meeting is scheduled for mid-2025.

myGovID is now myID

The next time you log into the Australian Government's Digital ID app, you'll notice the new name and look, but how you use it does not change.

With this change there is nothing you need to do, you still have:

• your same details: you don't need to set up a new myID, your login details (including email address) and identity strength are the same
• continued use: your app should have automatically updated to myID. If not, you can now manually update it from your App Store or Google Play
• access to services: you can still use the app to securely access a range of government online services.

Beware of any myGovID and myID scams trying to steal your personal information by asking you to confirm your details or set up a Digital ID. Don't click on any links that ask you to do this - remember, your myID is unique to you and should not be shared.

For the most up-to-date information on myID visit the myID website at https://www.myid.gov.au/(Opens in a new tab/window).

Scheme data 

As at 29 November 2024, there have been 52,684 applications to the Scheme. 

• 20,454 applicants have had their outcomes advised. Of these 17,313 payments have been made totalling approximately $1.55 billion dollars
• 2,335 have been withdrawn by the applicant
• 29,895 applications are yet to receive an outcome. Of which: 
  • 18,887 applications are actionable by the Scheme.
    • 2,817 applications are being validated with the initial contact being made
    • 11,601 applications are in the information gathering stage
    • 3,687 applications are with an IDM for a determination
    • 782 applications are being prepared for delivery of the outcome
  • 4,034 applications are unable to be actioned by the Scheme. Of these:
    • 2,587 are awaiting the applicant to provide additional information
    • 1,447 are undergoing a special assessment for serious criminal conviction/applying from gaol
  • 6,974 applications are on hold.

Participating institutions update

The Minister's Declaration is an official list of all participating institutions. It is updated when a new institution joins the Scheme or the status of a participating institution changes.

As at 3 December 2024, data regarding participating institutions remains the same as included in the September update.

The Declarations are available on the Federal Register of Legislation(Opens in a new tab/window). For the latest information about institutions, visit the Institutions page on our website.

The Redress Assessment Framework has changed

In response to a recommendation of the Second Anniversary Review of the National Redress Scheme, the Government agreed to change the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Assessment Framework 2018 (Assessment Framework).

The Assessment Framework has been changed to combine the payments relating to the recognition of sexual abuse and the impact of sexual abuse into one combined amount, which is now titled recognition and impact of abuse. There is no change to the amount of redress payment amount.

The Scheme’s Independent Decision Makers (IDMs) will now assess applications using the new, updated Assessment Framework.

All new applications received by the Scheme will be assessed against the new Assessment Framework. If you are offered a redress payment, it will recognise the sexual abuse you experienced and its impact, even if you chose not to tell the Scheme about the impact in your application.

If you would like to speak to a Scheme Officer about this change, you can call us on 1800 737 377 Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm.

Sixth anniversary of the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse

October 22 marked the sixth anniversary of the National Apology to Victims and Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse. The National Apology was delivered in response to the five-year Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

The National Apology acknowledged and apologised for the abuse inflicted by institutions on vulnerable children. In a media release issued, Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth highlighted the courage of survivors and advocates who spoke out to expose the abuse in institutions.

“I recognise on this anniversary that no apology could ever change the immense trauma and pain caused by the abuse faced by many Australians,” Minister Rishworth said.

“Today is an opportunity to reaffirm the Government’s commitment to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse through the National Redress Scheme and its continuous improvement to make it more trauma-informed, efficient, and survivor-focussed.”

You can read the full media release and acknowledgement of the anniversary on the Minister’s website(Opens in a new tab/window).

New Strategic Success Measures report

The June 2024 Strategic Success Measures report is now available on the Scheme website.

This report provides an indication of how the National Redress Scheme is performing across three priority areas:

• survivor experience
• health of the National Redress Scheme
• equity of access

The Strategic Success Measures report is one way the National Redress Scheme showcases our commitment to transparency and providing publicly available data about our performance. Visit our website, for the June 2024 and previous Strategic Success Measures reports.

Redress Scheme visits Dandenong, Victoria

A free half-day community workshop about the National Redress Scheme will be held in Dandenong, Victoria on Thursday 5 December 2024.

The workshop will provide community organisation attendees with information about the National Redress Scheme and other similar schemes that are currently active for people in Victoria. The session will discuss the different purposes and functions of the schemes, as well as how to engage with them and access free, confidential and culturally safe support.
Government representatives will be participating to share information and answer questions; plus presentations from various Redress Support Services and from knowmore Legal Service.

Please note, attendance at these workshops is limited to staff in community groups, organisations and services. There is limited capacity for each event, please register your organisation’s attendance below.

The Dandenong workshop will be held at the Holiday Inn Dandenong, from 1.00pm – 4.30pm AEDT, Thursday 5 December 2024. Register your organisation’s attendance through the online registration form(Opens in a new tab/window).

Redress Scheme visits Hurstville, NSW

As announced in the September update 2024, a free half-day community workshop about the National Redress Scheme will be held in Hurstville, NSW at the Southern Sydney Event Centre, on Wednesday 27 November from 9.30am – 1.00pm AEDT. Register your organisation’s attendance through the online registration form(Opens in a new tab/window).

These are part of a series of Redress Support Service-led workshops to raise awareness of the Scheme. To register your interest in future workshops, email mailto:DSSRedressEngagement@dss.gov.au.

Scheme data

As at 27 September 2024, there have been 48,953 applications to the Scheme. Of these:

• 19,680 applicants have had their outcomes advised. Of these:
  • 16,665 payments have been made totalling approximately $1.49 billion dollars
• 2,064 have been withdrawn by the applicant
• 27,209 applications are yet to receive an outcome. Of these:
  • 16,916 applications are actionable by the Scheme.
    • 2,628 applications are being validated with the initial contact being made
    • 10,309 applications are in the information gathering stage
    • 3,249 applications are with an IDM for a determination
    • 730 applications are being prepared for delivery of the outcome
  • 3,343 applications are unable to be actioned by the Scheme. Of these:
    • 2,097 are awaiting the applicant to provide additional information
    • 1,246 are undergoing a special assessment for serious criminal conviction/applying from gaol
  • o    6,950 applications are on hold.

Participating institutions update

The Minister's Declaration is an official list of all participating institutions. It is updated when a new institution joins the Scheme or the status of a participating institution changes.

As at 28 October 2024, data regarding participating institutions remains the same as included in the September update.

The Declarations are available on the Federal Register of Legislation(Opens in a new tab/window). For the latest information about institutions, visit the Institutions page on our website.

New Scheme website – now live

The new National Redress Scheme website launched on 29 August 2024. The website was revamped in response to recommendations made in the Second Anniversary Review of the National Redress Scheme. The new website now offers a trauma-informed design and accessible layout, with easier navigation to support survivors in accessing redress.

New resources to assist survivors

Resources are available to help support people who experienced child sexual abuse in institutions. These resources help explain more about the National Redress Scheme and the application process. Resources available include: 

• posters, brochures and wallet cards
• survivor case study videos
• explainer animation videos
• social media content
• discussion guide and flip book to support professionals to have conversations about the Scheme.

There are a range of resources for First Nations peoples, translated materials, resources specifically for people with disability and resources for all audiences.

Service Charter Improvement Update

The Service Charter Improvement Update (the Update) keeps survivors, advocates and the broader community informed of improvements to the National Redress Scheme.

The Update has been published to the Scheme website, outlining new resources for staff, survivors and Independent Decision Makers; updates to the application process and more. The Update can be found on our website with the Service Charter.

Any feedback or suggestions for improvement to the new National Redress Scheme website can be submitted through our online feedback form.

Safeguarding the National Redress Scheme

A new webpage ‘Safeguarding the Scheme’ is now live on the National Redress Scheme website.

The National Redress Scheme is committed to the acknowledgement and recognition of the harm caused by institutional child sexual abuse. Fraudulent applications to the National Redress Scheme exploits genuine survivors and undermines the integrity of the Scheme. Importantly, fraudulent applications divert resources away from our critical role in supporting survivors.

The new webpage provides information on:

• how fraud is prevented, detected, and managed within the National Redress Scheme  
• how you can provide reports about fraud in relation to the National Redress Scheme
• how you can protect yourself against emerging fraud risks., with a series of sections on:
  • safeguarding your identity and information
  • safeguarding your payment
  • safeguarding against scams
  • safeguarding against predatory practices

The fraud environment is ever changing. As a result, National Redress Scheme processes and controls must evolve. This will ensure the appropriate management of Commonwealth funds, the protection of the National Redress Scheme’s integrity, and the expectations of the public and institutions that the Scheme will manage fraud effectively.

Visit the Safeguarding the Scheme webpage for more information and how you can provide reports about fraud.

Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme

The Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme provides redress to Stolen Generations survivors in recognition of the harm and trauma of their removal in the Territories. The Territories Scheme is a separate Australian Government scheme, and some people may be eligible for both the Territories Scheme and the National Redress Scheme.

Stolen Generations survivors who were removed as children from their families or communities in the Northern Territory or the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) before self-government or from the Jervis Bay Territory can apply for redress. Survivors may now reside in all parts of Australia and there may be survivors who are not aware of the Territories Scheme.

The Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme(Opens in a new tab/window) is currently open and is scheduled to close for applications on 28 February 2026.

The Territories Scheme offers a redress payment of up to $75,000 and a healing assistance payment of $7,000. Payments made to applicants under the National Redress Scheme are not taken into account when the Territories redress payment amount is considered, as the Schemes are established for different purposes.

The Territories Scheme also offers the opportunity for Stolen Generations survivors to have their story about the impact of their removal acknowledged by a senior government official – a personal acknowledgement.

Applicants do not need to have records about their removal to apply but may wish to share any documentation.
Free support services are available to help applicants throughout the application process—they can access these services even if they are just thinking about applying.

Support to submit applications is available through local Link Up services(Opens in a new tab/window). Independent legal advice and financial counselling is also available through knowmore Legal Service - knowmore.org.au(Opens in a new tab/window), or by calling 1800 566 966.

If a member of the Stolen Generations has died on or after the Scheme was announced on 5 August 2021, their family will be able to apply on their behalf.

Applicants can apply via an online portal: portal.territoriesredress.gov.au(Opens in a new tab/window)

Application forms are also available by contacting the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme:

• visit territoriesredress.gov.au(Opens in a new tab/window)
• call 1800 566 111
• email help@territoriesredress.gov.au

Redress Scheme visits Hurstville, NSW

A free half-day community workshop about the National Redress Scheme will be held in Hurstville, NSW on Wednesday 27 November 2024.

The workshop will provide community organisations attendees with information about the National Redress Scheme and the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme. The session will discuss the different purposes and functions of the two Schemes, as well as how to engage with them and access free, confidential and culturally safe support.

Government representatives from both Schemes will be participating to share information and answer questions, and there will be presentations from various Redress Support Services and from knowmore Legal Service.

Please note, attendance at these workshops is limited to staff in community groups, organisations and services. There is limited capacity for each event, please register your organisation’s attendance below.

The Hurstville workshop will be held at the Southern Sydney Event Centre, from 9.30am – 1.00pm AEST, Wednesday 27 November 2024. Register your organisation’s attendance through the online registration form(Opens in a new tab/window).

This workshop is part of a series of Redress Support Service-led workshops to raise awareness of the Scheme. Planning is underway for further workshops targeted to community organisations in NSW and Victoria. More information on these workshops will be available shortly.

To register your interest in future workshops, email DSSRedressEngagement@dss.gov.au.

Scheme Data

As at 13 September 2024, there have been 48,256 applications to the Scheme. Of these:

• 19,486 applicants have had their outcomes advised. Of these:
  • 16,514 payments have been made totalling approximately $1.47 billion dollars
• 2,027 have been withdrawn by the applicant
• 26,743 applications are yet to receive an outcome. Of these: 
  • 17,064 applications are actionable by the Scheme.
    • 3,060 applications are being validated with the initial contact being made
    • 10,597 applications are in the information gathering stage
    • 2,808 applications are with an IDM for a determination
    • 599 applications are being prepared for delivery of the outcome
  • 2,795 applications are unable to be actioned by the Scheme. Of these:
    •  1,581 are awaiting the applicant to provide additional information
    • 1,214 are undergoing a special assessment for serious criminal conviction/applying from gaol
  • 6,884 applications are on hold.

New institutions join the Scheme

The Minister's Declaration is an official list of all participating institutions. It is updated when a new institution joins the Scheme or the status of a participating institution changes.

As of Declaration No.3 of 2024 (signed by the Minister on 5 September 2024):

• all Australian Government institutions, state and territory government institutions and 570 non-government institutions are now participating in the Scheme
• approximately 70,000 sites across Australia are now covered by the Scheme
• approximately 136 unique institutions have been declared under the Funder of Last Resort (FOLR) arrangements
  • These institutions are defunct or cannot financially participate in the Scheme and the Commonwealth and/or relevant state governments are the FOLR.

The Declarations are available on the Federal Register of Legislation:

• National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Declaration 2018 (legislation.gov.au)(Opens in a new tab/window).

For the latest information about institutions, including a searchable list of institutions participating in the Scheme, visit the institutions section of the website.
 

National Redress Scheme support now available in WA time zone 

Survivors in Western Australia will now have increased accessibility when applying, or thinking about applying for the Scheme, with contact hours extended to Australian Western Standard Time (AWST). Staff will be available to answer enquiries about the Scheme and assist survivors to progress their application, including accessing support services. 

First Nations survivors calling in the region will also have greater culturally appropriate and trauma informed support as the Scheme’s Indigenous Service Delivery Stream support has been bolstered with additional staff.

It is important to note, if an applicant or nominee wishes to talk to their Case Coordinator, the call may need to be transferred to the Eastern States and a call back may be required due to the different time zones.

To contact the Scheme, call 1800 737 377 between 8am and 5pm Mon to Fri. For languages other than English (including First Nations languages) please let us know if you need interpreter when you call the Scheme and we will bring one into the call to assist.

Keeping your myGov account secure

The Scheme is committed to keeping your information safe and maintaining your privacy. One aspect of this is ensuring survivors protect their information through regular maintenance of their myGov access and security. 

A recent report from the Commonwealth Ombudsman(Opens in a new tab/window) into Services Australia’s response to myGov fraud, recommends that Services Australia improve their security controls to adequately protect people from unauthorised linking. This report is a great reminder to be mindful of your login procedures and how you can safeguard your personal and sensitive information. Consider the following to protect your myGov account:

• use strong passwords or pass phrases for different accounts. Having a different strong password across your accounts is one of the best ways to stay safe online
• on top of your password, use multi-factor authentication to add an additional layer of security to your account
• you might also consider setting up a passkey using the security features on your phone, computer or tablet to sign in, or connect a Digital ID, such as myGovID, to access your account
• change your myGov login setting to use your myGov username, not your email address or mobile phone
• turn on notifications in your app settings so you receive verification notifications and notifications when your account is active on another device.

Visit the myGov website(Opens in a new tab/window) for more information on how you can protect your myGov account and what to do if you have noticed suspicious activity on your account. 

If you notice any suspicious activity related to your redress application, you can provide reports about fraud in relation to the Scheme by calling the DSS Fraud Hotline on 1800 054 312 Mon to Fri 8am to 5pm or emailing fraud@dss.gov.au. 
Fraud tipoffs can also be provided directly to the Scheme on 1800 737 377 Mon to Fri 8am to 5pm.

Further information about reporting fraud or misconduct can be found on the Department of Social Services website(Opens in a new tab/window).

Creating valid nominee forms

For some applicants applying for redress, it can be helpful to elect a nominee – someone who can act on your behalf when accessing the National Redress Scheme. To nominate someone, you and your nominee will need to complete the Redress Nominee Form. 

It is important to fill this form out accurately to ensure that a Redress Support Service, or another person, can speak with the Scheme on your behalf. 

The different types of nominees are Assistance Nominees and Legal Nominees. An Assistance Nominee can be a family member, friend, or support service. A nominee must be someone who you trust, who respects your privacy and who must always act in your best interest. A Legal Nominee is where there are Financial Management Orders, Guardianship Orders or a Power of Attorney in place. Where there is a legal nominee in place we will talk with you regarding what information is and isn’t shared and how we communicate with you during the application journey.

The following steps are required to complete a valid nominee form:

• Complete all questions within the nominee form ensuring responses are accurate, especially:
  • questions 1 and 2 (applicant name and date of birth)
  • question 24 (applicant signature and date)
• Check that the nominee signs, dates and ticks each of the boxes under the ‘Agreement to become a redress nominee’ section (question 25). If these have not been ticked, the arrangement cannot be verified by the Scheme. A new completed nominee form will need to be resupplied.
• Ensure the nominee signature date correctly reflects the date the form is signed. If the date is before the start of the Scheme, or after the date on which the Scheme received the form, an amended form will be required.
• Any changes to a support service’s organisational details (i.e. address or postal address) need to be notified to the Scheme as soon as possible. 

The Redress Nominee Form is available as a fillable pdf form and a printable pdf form. You can download the fillable form to your desktop to save and submit. Further information about nominees to assist your redress application can be found on the Scheme website.

Parliamentary committee inquiry finishes soon

The Joint Standing Committee on Implementation of the National Redress Scheme is expected to finish its inquiry in October 2024. 

Written submissions to the inquiry will close on 2 September 2024. You can provide your submission to the Committee Secretariat by emailing redress@aph.gov.au. The discussion paper(Opens in a new tab/window) aims to provide guidance to individuals and organisations interested in making submissions to the inquiry.

Scheme Data

As at 9 August 2024, there have been 46,280 applications to the Scheme. Of these:

• 18,846 applicants have had their outcomes advised. Of these: 
  • 16,128 payments have been made totalling approximately $1.44 billion dollars
• 1,908 have been withdrawn by the applicant
• 25,526 applications are yet to receive an outcome. Of these: 
  • 16,193 applications are actionable by the Scheme.
    • 2,716 applications are being validated with the initial contact being made
    • 10,142 applications are in the information gathering stage
    • 2,635 applications are with an IDM for a determination
    • 700 applications are being prepared for delivery of the outcome
  • 2,532 applications are unable to be actioned by the Scheme. Of these:
    • 1,400 are awaiting the applicant to provide additional information
    • 1,132 are undergoing a special assessment for serious criminal conviction/applying from gaol
  • 6,801 applications are on hold.

Participating institutions update

The Minister's Declaration is an official list of all participating institutions. It is updated when a new institution joins the Scheme or the status of a participating institution changes.

As at 13 August 2024, data regarding participating institutions remains the same as included in the June update.
The Declarations are available on the Federal Register of Legislation(Opens in a new tab/window). For the latest information about institutions, visit the Institutions page on our website.