This is the National Redress Scheme (the Scheme) update. It includes details on changes to Victoria’s Counselling and Psychological Care arrangements, and the Scheme’s data regarding application processing.

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:

Changes to Victoria’s Counselling and Psychological Care (CPC) arrangements

From 1 November 2023, there have been changes to the way that Victoria manages the CPC component of a redress offer.

CPC in Victoria has been expanded and is now managed by National Redress Counselling and Psychological Care Service - Victoria(Opens in a new tab/window).

If you live in Victoria and have received an offer of redress you are able to access counselling, including some alternative therapies, from a variety of organisations and private practitioners. A minimum of 20 hours is available, and more if needed, over your lifetime. Your origin and chosen families, including extended kin and close relationships, are also able to access up to 20 hours of counselling and alternative therapies to address trauma and support healing.

Further information on Victoria’s counselling arrangements is available at National Redress Counselling and Psychological Care Service - Victoria(Opens in a new tab/window). A nominee or Redress Support Service can also help you start the process. Contact the service and speak with a friendly CPC Service Navigator by calling 1800 716 869 Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm, or by emailing cpc@dffh.vic.gov.au.

CPC in Victoria was formerly managed by Restore. Please be aware that attempts to contact Restore via the 1800 number will be re-directed to the new CPC service’s phone number.

Scheme Data

As at 3 November 2023, there have been 32,785 applications to the Scheme. We have contacted 15,211 applicants to advise them of the outcome of their application.

Of all applications:

  • 14,136 have been finalised (determined as either eligible or ineligible, with offers of Redress either accepted or declined)
  • 13,337 payments have been made totalling approximately $1.186 billion dollars
  • 1,201 have been withdrawn by the applicant
  • 17,448 applications are on hand with the Scheme, of which:
    • 884 are with applicants, awaiting a decision on their offer of Redress
    • 1,184 are with institutions, awaiting a response to a Request For Information
    • 5,033 are on hold (for 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)
    • 10,347 are in progress with the Scheme, of which:
      • 8,235 are being actioned
      • 2,112 are temporarily unable to be actioned (for reasons such as awaiting contact from the applicant, or awaiting extra information).

Participating institutions update

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

As at 3 November 2023, data regarding participating institutions remains the same as included in September's update.

The Declarations are available on the Federal Register of Legislation:

For the latest information about institutions, visit our website: 

https://www.nationalredress.gov.au/institutions.

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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