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This document 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.
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About the review
The Review occurred between July 2020 and March 2021. Robyn delivered the final report to the Minister at the end of March 2021. The Review has now concluded.
During the course of the Review, Robyn met with 81 survivors, support services, government agencies and ministers. Robyn received 226 submissions, which provided significant insight into the Scheme, how it operates, and how to improve the survivor experience. The Review also commissioned a feedback study in which 503 survivors, support groups and institutions participated.
Final Australian Government response to the second anniversary review
The Australian Government has released a final response to the final report of the second year review of the National Redress Scheme.
The final response indicates the Australian Government’s commitment to improving the Scheme.
The changes agreed to by all governments are focused on survivors and making the Scheme as trauma informed as it can be, including by increasing access to redress and improving the survivor experience with the Scheme.
Interim Australian Government response to the second anniversary review
The Australian Government has developed an interim response to the final report of the second year review of the National Redress.
The interim response indicates the Australian Government’s commitment to improving the Scheme and its initial response to the Review’s recommendations. This includes actions that can be taken quickly and areas that require further development and consultation with survivors, institutions and other Scheme stakeholders.
It is anticipated that a final response to the Review’s recommendations will be provided by early 2022.
The National Redress Scheme Amendment Act 2024
The National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment Bill 2023(Opens in a new tab/window) passed through the Australian Parliament on 20 March 2024. The Bill will implement outstanding measures from the Australian Government’s response to the Final Report of the Second Year Review of the National Redress Scheme.
The key changes of the Bill include:
- applicants will be able to provide additional information when requesting a review
- the circumstances where applicants must undertake a special assessment process will be reduced
- finalised applications will be able to be reassessed if a relevant institution later joins the Scheme
- people who are incarcerated will be able to lodge an application
- the Scheme’s protected information framework will be amended to enable the disclosure of protected information in select circumstances
- technical aspects of Funder of Last Resort provisions will be improved.
On Thursday 4 April 2024, most of the measures in the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment Act 2024(Opens in a new tab/window) came into effect.
The Scheme will contact applicants who may be impacted by these amendments and will provide additional information about the amendments once the changes take effect.