National Redress Support Services
Blue Knot Foundation
All States and Territories
The Blue Knot Helpline provides trauma informed telephone and video conferencing support to people engaging with the National Redress Scheme, with a particular focus on supporting people living in rural and remote areas. We provide information, short-term counselling, referral, application support and case management.
Blue Knot is also funded to provide support to people engaging with the Disability Royal Commission who have experienced or witnessed violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability.
Hours of operation: 9am to 5pm (Sydney time) Monday to Sunday
Phone: 1300 657 380
Type of support: Counselling, information and referrals, and telephone support.
Bravehearts
All States and Territories
Bravehearts offers free and confidential support to individuals and affected family members engaging the National Redress Scheme through face-to-face supports, telephone supports and online supports through our e-health service.
Bravehearts can provide information about the National Redress Scheme, assist with completing the Scheme’s application and provide support throughout the process.
Bravehearts offers face-to-face support within South East Queensland from Service Centres located in Arundel, Springwood, Spring Hill and Strathpine. Outreach services are also available to other areas of Queensland.
Hours of operation: 8:30am to 4:30pm (Brisbane time) Monday to Friday
Phone: 1800 272 831 or (07) 5552 3000
Type of support: Face-to-face support, information and referrals, outreach services, telephone support and online support.
Sexual Assault Counselling Australia
All States and Territories
Sexual Assault Counselling Australia is a national service available 24 hours 7 days a week to provide telephone counselling with trauma specialists. Face-to-face counselling and support is available for people in New South Wales engaging with the National Redress Scheme. Telephone counselling is also available for people who are in a New South Wales gaol.
Hours of operation: The telephone line operates 24 hours 7 days a week. Face-to-face appointments available by telephone.
Phone: 1800 211 028
Type of support: 24/7 support, face-to-face support, counselling, information and referrals, outreach services and telephone support.
Child Wise
All States and Territories
The Child Wise Helpline provides information, referrals for ongoing support, and guidance to people engaging with the National Redress Scheme. All calls will be handled by experienced and trauma-informed counsellors.
Hours of operation: The Helpline operates 9am to 5pm (Melbourne time) Monday to Sunday
Phone: 1800 991 099
Type of support: Information and referrals, and telephone support.
Mensline Australia
All States and Territories
Mensline Australia is a national 24/7 telephone and online counselling support service, providing support, information and referral service for men with family and relationship concerns. Mensline services are available from anywhere in Australia and are provided by professional and experienced counsellors. Mensline can provide emotional support to people engaging with the National Redress Scheme.
Hours of operation: The telephone line operates 24 hours 7 days a week.
Phone: 1300 789 978
Type of support: 24/7 support, counselling, information and referrals, online support and telephone support.
People with Disability Australia
All States and Territories
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) provides confidential and free support to people with disability who are considering applying for Redress.
Our Wayfinder Hub information and referral service is available by telephone or email across Australia. The Hub provides accessible information about the Redress Scheme and seeks to connect people with disability to Redress support services in their area, where possible.
Individual Advocates support people with disability in New South Wales and Queensland through the application process. We can support you to consider your options, decide if you want to apply and provide assisted referrals to other support services. We can also assist with other Advocacy matters.
Hours of operation: 9am to 5pm (AEST) Monday to Friday
Phone: 1800 422 015 or TTY 1800 422 016
Type of support: Information and referrals, face-to-face support and telephone support.
knowmore
All States and Territories
The knowmore legal service is for anyone who is considering applying for redress under the Scheme. It is free, confidential and independent. knowmore can assist you:
- with information on other options available to you, including access to compensation through other schemes or common law rights and claims
- prior to the application, to ensure you understand the access requirements and the application process
- after you receive an offer of redress and you elect to seek an internal review of the decision
- with advice on the effect of accepting an offer and what this means for future claims.
Offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
Phone: 1800 605 762 or TTY: 1800 555 677, then 1800 605 762
National Relay Service: 1800 555 727, then 1800 605 762
Type of support: Legal advice, face-to-face support, information and referrals, outreach services and telephone support.
Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN) Inc.
All States and Territories
CLAN is a specialist service run by care leavers, for care leavers and their families. All staff are informed on the support needs facing care leavers. For care leavers engaging with the National Redress Scheme, CLAN can offer support, advocacy and counselling as well as assistance with redress applications and accessing records.
Face-to-face support and counselling is available at Bankstown (New South Wales) and Melbourne (Victoria), and outreach support is available throughout Australia.
Hours of operation: 9am to 5pm (Sydney time) Monday to Friday
Phone: 1800 008 774 or (02) 9709 4520
Type of support: Face-to-face support, counselling, information and referrals, outreach services, telephone support and online support.
Child Migrants Trust
All States and Territories
Child Migrant Trust provides social work services to former child migrants from the UK and Malta wishing to participate in the National Redress Scheme, including help to prepare and submit applications. Child Migrant Trust social workers provide counselling and professional support to those disclosing institutional child abuse and offer a trauma informed service. Staff can travel to other locations across Australia to meet with former child migrants as needed, and have regular visits to major locations such as Sydney.
Child Migrant Trust’s UK office also provides assistance relating to the National Redress Service for those former child migrants originally sent to Australia but now living in the UK or other countries overseas.
Child Migrant Trust’s services are free and confidential, and are completely independent from involvement or connection with any agencies responsible for the deportation of children through child migration schemes.
Hours of operation: 9am to 5pm (Melbourne time) Monday to Friday
Phone: 1800 040 509
Type of support: Face-to-face support, counselling, outreach services and telephone support.
In Good Faith Foundation
All States and Territories
In Good Faith Foundation is a service providing independent advocacy, case work, referral and support for people who experienced religious institutional child sexual abuse, their families and communities. Face-to-face support, including when engaging with to the National Redress Scheme, is available to people living in Victoria.
Hours of operation: 9:30am to 4pm (Melbourne time) Monday to Thursday, Fridays by appointment.
Phone: (03) 9940 1533
Type of support: Face-to-face support, information and referrals, and telephone support.
Healing Foundation
All States and Territories
The Healing Foundation is a national support agency providing advice and assistance, including developing materials, for all Redress Support Services to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people engaging with the National Redress Scheme. The Healing Foundation does not provide face-to-face supports.
Indigenous Australians applying for redress are encouraged to contact the Healing Foundation for referrals to appropriate Indigenous Australian support service providers tailored to support survivor’s individual needs.
Hours of operation: 9am to 5pm (Sydney time) Monday to Friday
Phone: (02) 6272 7500
Type of support: Information and referrals.
Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA)
All States and Territories
CYDA is the national representative organisation for children and young people with disability, aged 0 to 25 years. We provide a link between the direct experiences of children and young people with disability to government and other key stakeholders.
We do not provide support directly, but can refer you to an appropriate Redress Support Service or other provider to meet your support needs.
We are also funded to provide support to children and young people with disability who are engaging with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. For fact sheets and more information please go to our website.
Hours of operation: 9am to 5pm (Melbourne time) Monday to Friday
Phone: (03) 9417 1025 or 1800 222 660 (Regional and interstate)
Type of support: Information and referrals.