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.