This is the second National Redress Scheme (the Scheme) update of 2024. It includes information on upcoming Community organisation workshops in New South Wales and Victoria, as well as the Scheme’s data regarding application processing.

This 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:

New South Wales and Victoria Community Workshops

On Wednesday 21 February 2024, half-day community organisation workshops will be held in Nowra, New South Wales and Warrnambool, Victoria.

These workshops are led by Redress Support Services, and are open to community organisations that support people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse. The events will include more information about the purpose and function of the Scheme, ways to engage with the Scheme, and how to access further support.

Representatives from the Scheme will be attending both events and will participate in Question & Answer sessions, engaging in discussions with attendees. There will also be presentations from various Redress Support Services and from knowmore Legal Service.

Please note, there is limited capacity for each event.

These workshops are part of a series of Redress Support Service-led events to raise awareness of the Scheme. To register your interest in future workshops, please contact DSSRedressEngagement@dss.gov.au.

Scheme data

As at 2 February 2024, there have been 36,424 applications to the Scheme. We have contacted 16,278 applicants to advise them of the outcome of their application.

Of all applications:

  • 15,126 have been finalised (determined as either eligible or ineligible, with offers of Redress either accepted or declined)
  • 14,230 payments have been made totalling approximately $1.267 billion dollars
  • 1,414 have been withdrawn by the applicant
  • 19,884 applications are on hand with the Scheme, of which:
    • 1,001 are with applicants, awaiting a decision on their offer of Redress
    • 1,055 are with institutions, awaiting a response to a Request for Information
    • 5,467 are on hold (for different reasons, such as at the request of the applicant, where further information has been requested from the applicant, where there is difficulty contacting the applicant or due to a non-participating institution)
    • 12,361 are in progress with the Scheme, of which:
      • 10,035 are being actioned
      • 2,326 are temporarily unable to be actioned (for reasons such as awaiting contact from the applicant, or awaiting extra information).

Participating institutions

The Australian Government encourages all institutions who have a history of interacting with children to sign up to the Scheme as soon as possible.

As at 2 February 2024, data regarding participating institutions remains the same as included in January's update.

The Declarations are available on the Federal Register of Legislation:

For the latest information about institutions, visit our website.

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. If you are overseas, please call +61 2 6222 3455 and then press 7 to be transferred to the National Redress Scheme.

For regular updates about the Department of Social Services and the Scheme, you can ‘like’ or ‘follow’ the Australian Families Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FamiliesInAustralia/(Opens in a new tab/window).

The Australian Government acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, water, culture and community. We pay our respects to the Elders both past and present.

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