This newsletter has been republished from the National Redress Scheme. For further information, please visit the National Redress Scheme website or call 1800 737 377 Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm (local time), excluding public holidays.
Application progress
As of 1 November 2019, the National Redress Scheme:
- had received over 5,290 applications
- made around 716 decisions — including 708 payments, totalling over
$56.9 million - made over 98 offers of redress, and applicants have six months to consider their offer of redress
- was processing over 3,470 applications, with 604 applications on hold because one or more institution named in the application had not yet joined and about 309 applications requiring additional information from the applicant.
As of 1 November, the average payment was $80,466.
In July, August and September of this year more people received redress than in the first year of the Scheme.
From 1 July 2019 to 1 November 2019, 477 applications were finalised, resulting in 469 payments.
Participating institutions update
All institutions where child sexual abuse has occurred are encouraged to sign up to the Scheme as soon as possible.
As of 1 November, there were 67 non-government institutions participating in the National Redress Scheme, covering over 41,900 individual sites, such as churches, schools, charities, community groups and clubs.
In October, a number of new institutions, organisations and religious orders completed the necessary steps to join the Scheme. They are now participating in the redress scheme.
The following institutions have completed the steps to join the Scheme:
- Berry Street Victoria (Vic)
- Confraternity of Christ the Priest (NSW, Qld and Vic)
- Hospitaller Brothers of St. John of God (NSW, Qld and Vic)
- Missionaries of the Sacred Heart (ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, Vic and WA)
- SCEGGS Darlinghurst Limited (NSW)
- Sisters of the Good Samaritan (ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Vic and WA)
The additions to the Anglican Church of Australia participating group were:
- Anglican Property Trust Diocese of Bathurst (NSW)
- Anglicare WA (WA)
The addition to the Baptist Churches of Victoria participating group was North Balwyn Baptist Church.
The additions to the Baptist Churches of Western Australia (WA) participating group was:
- Bethel Christian School Albany
- Emmanuel Christian Community School Incorporated
- Goldfields Baptist College Incorporated
- Kojonup Baptist Church
- The Lake Joondalup Baptist College Incorporated
The Queensland Government has agreed to be a Funder of Last Resort for:
- Beemar Yumba Maud Phillips Memorial Children’s Shelter (Qld)
- Beulah Homes (Qld)
- OPAL House (Qld)
- OPAL Joyce Wilding Home (Qld)
For more information about the sites covered by these institutions and a full list of institutions that have joined, go to the Scheme’s website.
The website also includes a map where you can find institutions that have joined in your state or territory.
Where do I get support?
Redress Support Services are available to help people understand the Scheme, provide emotional support and guide people through the application process. A list of support services is available on the website.
If you need immediate assistance from a counsellor, please contact:
- Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
- Mensline 1300 78 99 78
- 1800 Respect 1800 737 732
- Lifeline 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
- In an emergency call Triple Zero (000)
Find out more
To find out more about the National Redress Scheme call 1800 737 377 Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm (local time), excluding public holidays.
You can also go to the website: www.nationalredress.gov.au