Information for First Nations People

Resources for survivors

Resources are available to help support First Nations People who experienced child sexual abuse in institutions such as a school, church, mission, orphanage, foster care, hospital, detention centre or a sporting club.

Information about the Scheme

Redress Support Services

Redress Support Services respect culture, know about trauma, and put survivors first. Services are free and can help before, during and after you apply.

They can keep things private and give you emotional support. Redress Support Services can:

  • provide information about the Scheme and answer any questions
  • help filling out the forms
  • help understand what may happen next

All Redress Support Services provide culturally safe and respectful support. The list of all support services available by State or Territory is available.

There are First Nations specific redress support services available across Australia. A list of First Nations specific support services is available.

Resources for community groups

This eKit is designed to support conversations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in your community:

Order printed products

You can order products to be sent to you at no cost at no cost.

Hardcopy publications are available to order through National Mailing and Marketing by emailing dss@nationalmailing.com.au or calling 1800 050 009 and providing the relevant Product Number and your delivery address.

View the full list of products available to order.

Legal support and financial counselling

For free, confidential legal support and financial counselling you can contact knowmore Legal Service on 1800 605 762.

Hearing and speech communication support

If you are d/Deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech communication difficulty you can use the National Relay Service (NRS) to contact the department.

The NRS has specially trained staff called relay officers who act as a ‘relay’ or a bridge between people who are d/Deaf hard of hearing or have speech communication difficulty, and the person or organisation they are calling. 

The Access Hub website has instructions for many different relay methods including:

  • TTY (Speak and Read, Type and Listen, Type and Read)
  • Voice relay
  • NRS chat
  • Video relay
  • NRS captions
  • SMS Relay

Visit the Access Hub website to find a relay method that works for you.


This artwork is by Kaanju, Kuku Ya’u, Girramay woman Emma Hollingsworth and represents First Nations people being empowered to speak to their truth, as part of their healing journey.

This artwork is by Kaanju, Kuku Ya’u, Girramay woman Emma Hollingsworth and represents First Nations people being empowered to speak to their truth, as part of their healing journey.