In 2013, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Historical Child Sexual Abuse found systemic failings across numerous Australian institutions. In response to these findings, the Commission created the National Redress Scheme as asexual abuse compensation schemeto provide victim-survivors with a path to justice. While nothing can erase the pain and experience, the redress scheme provides recognition of the suffering. 

There are three components of redress. There is a monetary payment, a care element that involves counselling or psychological support, and the final element is a direct personal response from the institution at fault.

Who Can Apply

  • You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident at the time of your application; you do not need to have been an Australian citizen or permanent resident when the abuse occurred. 
  • The childhood sexual abuse you suffered occurred before you turned 18 and the abuse occurred before the 1st of July, 2018.
  • You are 18 or older (or will be 18 before the 30th of June, 2028). 
  • At least one of the institutions responsible for the child sexual abuse must be in the Scheme. Institutions include hospitals, welfare services, orphanages, children’s homes, foster care, detention centres, temples, missions, churches, mosques, synagogues, schools, training facilities, youth centres, and clubs. 

If you are unable to locate the institution responsible for your abuse, you can still apply, as they could be participating under another name. The Independent Decision Maker will investigate your claim and invite them to join the scheme. They have six months to join and could be fined, publicly named, and stripped of their charitable status unless they join.

You can only make one application; you must ensure you gather all the evidence and complete the application with as much detail as possible, as you will not be able to reapply if your sexual abuse claims application is rejected. However, you can withdraw an application before a decision is made and reapply when you have gathered the relevant information or taken legal advice. 

The closing date for applications is the 30th of June, 2027.

Key Redress Timeline Stages

Stage 1. Consult a Lawyer

Seek out experienced sexual abuse lawyers in Sydney; this ensures you receive trauma-informed legal advice. Most family sexual abuse lawyers offer free consultations, and you may want to speak to several to see who you feel a rapport with. At AJB Stevens, we sit down and listen to your story and review any documents you bring.

An NRS application might not be the right path to justice for you, and a lawyer can advise you on the likelihood of success in civil or criminal proceedings.

Stage 2. Gather Evidence and Information

Once you have a lawyer, the evidence-gathering stage becomes easier because they can help you understand what supporting documents are necessary, track down records from government bodies or other institutions, and help you craft your personal statement.

The scheme is survivor-focused; according to the Royal Commission, sexual abuse does not require corroboration for your application to be accepted. However, the more supporting evidence you can provide, the quicker the application will move through the system. 

Stage 3. Application Process

The application process can be triggering for many claimants as it requires you to recount traumatic events. You can lean on your legal representation for support or nominate someone else to complete your form. If you are claiming against more than one institution, you will need to complete Part 2 of the application. If there are more than two institutions involved, you will need to complete a separate Part 2 for each additional institution. 

The form requires basic information about you, where you live, your health and disabilities, etc., before asking you to recount your experience. It asks for the name of the institution, your age at the time, and then provides space for you to detail as much as you can.

Stage 4. Application Submission 

You can file using an online form or a physical application. Your application will be processed safely and securely by the NRS. Once your application is submitted, you can only wait for the assessment team to reach out, whether they require more information to process your application or notify you of their decision via letter. 

Stage 5. Assessment & Contact

Once you submit your application, it is assigned to an Independent Decision Maker who will review your story, evidence, and institution responses. You will not have to engage with the responsible institution(s) directly. 

The assessment phase can take up to 12 months, but there are often delays when dealing with complex applications or if the IDM is awaiting an institutional response. At this stage of the NRS process, most institutions charged with signing up have done so. However, you can find a list of those who have declined to join, are unable to join, or who haven’t yet signed up but do intend to participate.

During the assessment phase, the NRS may reach out to you directly to request additional information. This is a fairly normal outcome; it does not mean they doubt your claim. Your lawyer can support you through this stage, both emotionally by providing peace of mind and literally by helping you collate the necessary documentation requested.

Stage 7. Decision

The decision is usually issued as a letter, and it will detail the determination of the payment, the counselling or psychological support you are entitled to, and whether you will receive a direct response from the institution(s) responsible. 

In New South Wales, you receive counselling through a local provider instead of receiving a payment.

The Final Stage. Consideration, Acceptance, and Finalisation

You have six months to decide whether you want to accept or decline the offer. Do not make this decision without speaking to an experienced lawyer. By accepting, you lose the right to pursue those institutions in a civil claim. Instead of declining, you can ask for a review of the decision. If their decision changes, you have another six months to decide whether to accept or decline. If the decision remains the same, you have two months to accept or reject.

The payment is paid directly into your bank account, either as a lump sum or through instalments. However, some applicants choose to take some as a lump sum and the rest via instalments. 

Your letter will include information for each of the institution(s) responsible, whom you will need to contact directly to start the process. If you do not want to initiate contact directly, you can speak to the Direct Personal Response Information and Support team on 1800 737 377.

If your application is declined, the reasons for the declination will be included in the letter. You can still request a review or reassess your options. If you have received a declination and haven’t spoken to a lawyer, now is the time to find the right legal support.

New South Wales 

In New South Wales, the psychological care or counselling you receive will be provided to you directly. While other states provide monetary payment to seek services, part of the Intergovernmental Agreement on the National Redress Scheme is for NSW to connect the applicant with the right local support service. 

AJB Stevens Lawyers Can Help 

At AJB Stevens, we understand how difficult the NRS process can be, and we can guide you through every stage of the application timeline. In addition to supporting you in preparing your evidence, we will represent you in ongoing communications regarding your application, advise you whether an offer is acceptable or requires a review, or guide you in a different legal direction. We know the support systems available in New South Wales and can help you find the healing you deserve while delivering the justice you’re entitled to.

If you are a victim-survivor thinking about filing an NRS claim, call AJB Stevens on (02) 8268 0600 for a free consultation to discuss your application and legal options.