National Redress Scheme – January 2020
This newsletter gives you an update on the National Redress Scheme, including how to, and where to get support, recent progress on applications and new developments in the Scheme.
Redress Support Services
This newsletter contains material that could be confronting and stressing. Sometimes words or images can cause sadness or distress or trigger traumatic memories for people, particularly for those people who have experienced past abuse or childhood trauma.
There are free and confidential Redress Support Services to help you. They can support you before, during and after you apply for redress. Services can provide practical and emotional support, legal advice and financial counselling. If you need immediate help or counselling, 24/7 support is available.
Please visit the National Redress Scheme at www.nationalredress.gov.au/support/explore for a full list of support service providers.
Application progress as at 3 January 2020
As at 3 January 2020, the Scheme had
- had received over 5,829 applications
- made 1,194 decisions, including 975 payments totalling over $79.3 million
- made 148 offers of redress, which applicants have six months to consider
- was processing 3,733 applications
- had 898 applications on hold, including 557 because one or more institutions named had not yet joined and about 341 because they required additional information from the applicant.
From 1 July 2019 to 3 January 2020, 747 applications were finalised, resulting in 736 payments. This is more than the 239 payments made in the first year of the Scheme.
Ministers Redress Scheme Governance Meeting
On Friday 29 November 2019, the Minister for Families and Social Services, Senator the Hon Anne Ruston, hosted the Ministers Redress Scheme Governance Board meeting with relevant ministers with responsibility for the National Redress Scheme in their State or Territory.
Ministers were unanimous in their commitment to the timely delivery of redress and providing greater accountability and transparency to the Scheme. Ministers also agreed that non-participating institutions should join the Scheme without delay to ensure survivors receive the support and acknowledgement they are waiting for.
You can find out more about this at www.dss.gov.au/about-the-department/news/60996.
Working with Knowmore – Understand your Journey
The Knowmore legal service is for anyone who is considering applying for redress under the National Redress Scheme. The service is free, confidential and independent.
The team at Knowmore can provide information, advice and options available to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. This includes:
- making a claim under the National Redress Scheme
- providing details about payment that may be available through other Schemes
- providing information about possible civil litigation claims and the names of specialist layers who could help a survivor with such a claim.
Knowmore has offices in Western Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. You can call Knowmore on 1800 605 762 or TTY 1800 555 677, then 1800 605 762.
National Relay Service: 1800 555 727, then 1800 605 762.
Find out more
To find out more about the National Redress Scheme, go to www.nationalredress.gov.au or call 1800 737 377 from Australia or +61 3 6222 3455 from overseas (Monday to Friday) 8am – 5pm local time
