This newsletter covers an update on the National Redress Scheme (the Scheme). It provides a list of accessible Redress Support Services for the Christmas period, a link to new video resources, an update on institutions and recent Scheme data.
The update contains material that could be confronting or distressing. Sometimes words or images can cause sadness or distress or trigger traumatic memories, particularly for people who have experienced past abuse or childhood trauma.
Support is available to help you if you need it. To find out more, go to
www.nationalredress.gov.au/help-support/get-free-help-apply/redress-support-services.
If you need immediate support, 24-hour telephone assistance is available through:
- Beyond Blue (Opens in a new tab/window): 1300 224 636
- MensLine Australia (Opens in a new tab/window): 1300 789 978
- Lifeline (Opens in a new tab/window): 13 11 14
Redress Support Services available between Christmas and New Year
The Scheme recognises that the Christmas period can be a difficult time for some people. We would like to take this opportunity to advise you of the Redress Support Services availability throughout this period.
- Blue Knot Foundation – telephone 1300 657 380
- Sexual Assault Counselling Australia – telephone 1800 211 028
- Mensline Australia – telephone 1300 789 978.
The following Redress Support Services are available except on public holidays:
- Child Migrants Trust
- Danila Dilba Health Service
- Drummond Street Services
- In Good Faith Foundation
- Micah Projects
- Ngarra Jarra Noun - Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency Co-operative.
Contact details are available at https: https://nationalredress.gov.au/help-support/get-free-help-apply/redress-support-services.
New Video Resources
The Scheme is pleased to inform you that two videos designed to raise awareness and inform people of the Queensland Government’s participation in the National Redress Scheme have been completed and are now live.
You can view the videos on the Queensland Government’s website: https://www.qld.gov.au/community/getting-support-health-social-issue/support-victims-abuse/national-redress-scheme/resources.
Institutions
The Scheme is continuously working with institutions that have been named in applications or identified by other means to encourage them to join and participate in the Scheme. To date the Commonwealth, all state and territory governments and 358 non-government institutions covering around 56,061 sites such as churches, schools, homes, charities and community groups across Australia are participating.
A total of 158 non-government institutions have committed to join and finalise on-boarding by no later than 31 December 2020.
For the latest information about institutions, visit our website: www.nationalredress.gov.au/institutions.
Application progress as at 18 December 2020
As at 18 December 2020, the Scheme:
- had received 9,008 applications.
- had made 5,262 decisions.
- issued 5,113 outcomes.
- finalised 4,503 applications, including 4,464 payments totaling approximately $371.2 million.
- had made 563 offers of redress, which are currently with applicants to consider.
- was processing 4,188 applications.
Find out more
For further information about the Scheme, go to www.nationalredress.gov.au or call 1800 737 377 Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm AET from Australia or +61 2 6222 3455 from overseas.
For regular updates about the Department of Social Services and the Scheme, you can ‘like’ or ‘follow’ the Australian Families Facebook page: facebook.com/FamiliesInAustralia(Opens in a new tab/window).