The National Redress Scheme has released an update on its progress and recent changes to its service delivery.
As of 29 May 2020, the Scheme:
- had received 7,009 applications
- was processing 3,648 applications
- had made 2,907 decisions, including 2,250 payments totalling more than $184 million
- had 840 applications on hold, including 525 because one or more institution named had not yet joined
- had made 574 offers of redress, which applicants have six months to consider.
The Scheme has announced it is now accepting inbound calls after having suspended them temporarily in response to the Coronavirus pandemic. If you would like to discuss your redress application with someone or if you have any queries you can call the Scheme on 1800 737 377 (Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm) from Australia or on +61 6222 3455 from overseas.
The Scheme also advises that it can now accept and process applications where the Statutory Declaration was unable to be signed or witnessed due to Coronavirus-related restrictions or concerns. The Statutory Declaration form still needs to be submitted with your application. This special exemption will apply until 31 December 2020. This applies to redress applications lodged or being processed in the period 1 March to 31 December 2020.
For more information about the National Redress Scheme visit www.nationalredress.gov.au.