National Redress Scheme – For people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse
The National Redress Scheme has been created in response to recommendations by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
The Scheme:
- acknowledges that many children were sexually abused in Australian institutions
- recognises the suffering they endured because of this abuse
- holds institutions accountable for this abuse, and
- helps people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse gain access to counselling, a direct personal response, and a redress-payment.
The Queensland Government passed legislation in September to formally participate in the National Redress Scheme.
The National Redress Scheme will provide redress to people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse and will run until 30 June 2027. Eligibility criteria apply.
Queensland’s participation in the national Scheme means that people who have experienced child sexual abuse while in the care of the Queensland Government may be eligible for redress.
Click here to find out more about the scheme. Alternatively, you can phone the National Redress Scheme on 1800 737 377.
Redress support services
There are a range of services available to provide advice or support before, during and after the redress application process. Visit the National Redress Scheme website to find out more.
Alternatively, you can contact the Public Trustee for assistance with the National Redress Scheme. Our National Redress Team can be contacted on 1300 362 537.
Resources
The following resources are available to provide additional information about the Scheme.
- What you need to know about the National Redress Scheme and support to apply
- Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply to the National Redress Scheme
More information
There is support available for people who have experienced child sexual abuse in institutional settings including:
- Lotus Place: A dedicated support service and resource centre for Forgotten Australians – phone (07) 3347 8500.
- CLAN: A national support and advocacy service for Forgotten Australians – phone 1800 008 774.
- knowmore: For people considering their options, free legal advice and information about the justice or redress pathways available to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse – phone 1800 605 762.
- If immediate assistance is required, 24 hour assistance is available through:
- Lifeline: phone 13 11 14
- 1800 Respect: phone 1800 737 732
- MensLine Australia: phone 1300 789 978.
Please note:
The Civil Liability and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2019 (the Act) amends the Civil Liability Act 2003 and the Limitations of Actions Act 1974.
The important changes include the following:
- There will be no limitation period for any child abuse claim involving serious physical and psychological abuse. Previously in 2017 the limitation period was removed for claims involving child sexual abuse only. This will be extended from 2 March 2020 to include serious child physical abuse and psychological abuse.
- The Act also provides for apologies to be given to survivors of child abuse and the apology cannot be used as an admission of liability.
- The Act also reverses the onus of proof for all prospective claims, which means the duty is on the institution to prove it took all reasonable steps to prevent the child abuse from occurring.