This is the National Redress Scheme (the Scheme) update. It includes details on new institutions that have been named in August as declining to participate in the Scheme. It also includes information on an upcoming Community organisation workshop in Bendigo Victoria, an upcoming member’s conference for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector leaders, 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:

New Institutions declining to participate in the Scheme

When the Scheme receives an application that mentions a previously unnamed institution, that institution has six months from the Scheme’s first formal contact with them to join the Scheme.

From 30 August 2023, the following two sporting institutions have been added to the list of other institutions that have declined to join the Scheme:

  • Tamworth Basketball Association
  • De La Salle Junior Rugby League Football Club.

In addition to being named as declining to participate in the Scheme, these sporting institutions are now ineligible to access future Australian Government funding until they choose to participate. Affected applicants have been notified, and the Scheme will continue to encourage these institutions to join.

Victorian Community Workshop

On 26 October 2023 Victorian Redress Support Services will lead a half-day workshop in Bendigo for community organisations.

The workshop aims to raise awareness of the Scheme among community organisations who may be supporting people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse. Representatives from the Scheme will be in attendance to explain details of the Scheme and answer questions people may have. Free registration is available via Humanitix(Opens in a new tab/window).

This will be the first in a series of community workshops within Victoria. Information on the next workshop will be shared in the coming months.

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) Member’s Conference

On 25 and 26 October, representatives from the Scheme will attend the NACCHO Member’s Conference in Perth.

The NACCHO Members’ Conference is an annual gathering of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector leaders from across the country. With over 400 delegates expected each year, the Conference brings opportunities for attendees to network, learn, influence and celebrate the ongoing drive for self-determination.

The Conference will enable the Scheme to engage with frontline Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community controlled health service providers. It provides the opportunity to answer questions they may have about the Scheme, as well as provide accessible information about eligibility, how to access specialist support services, and where to find further information.

The Scheme will have a booth and will be showcasing a suite of accessible and diverse communications materials about the Scheme that services can use in their offices or when conducting outreach activities.

Scheme Data

As at 13 October 2023, there have been 31,859 applications to the Scheme. We have contacted 14,914 applicants to advise them of the outcome of their application.

Of all applications:

  • 13,859 have been finalised (determined as either eligible or ineligible, with offers of Redress either accepted or declined)
  • 13,068 payments have been made totalling approximately $1.161 billion dollars
  • 1,158 have been withdrawn by the applicant
  • 16,842 applications are on hand with the Scheme, of which:
    • 840 are with applicants, awaiting a decision on their offer of Redress
    • 1,253 are with institutions, awaiting a response to a Request For Information
    • 4,847 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)
    • 9,902 are in progress with the Scheme, of which:
      • 7,823 are being actioned
      • 2,079 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 13 October 2023, data regarding participating institutions remains the same as included in the previous update.

The Declarations are available on the Federal Register of Legislation:

For the latest information about institutions, visit our website:

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 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).

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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