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National Redress Scheme 

One of the key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse was the establishment of a National Redress Scheme for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.

The Catholic Church supports the creation of an independent process that allows survivors of child sexual abuse to seek redress. Church leaders confirmed their commitment to the Scheme during the final hearings of the Royal Commission and again more recently.

On 1 July 2018, the National Redress Scheme commenced, with survivors of child sexual abuse able to approach the Scheme at any time until 30 June 2027.

Under the Scheme, applications for redress are made by independent assessors who decide on the appropriate levels of financial and other support, such as counselling services. The Catholic Church and other institutions participating in the Scheme will meet the costs of redress that the Scheme determines.

Church authorities will enter the Scheme when they are able to do so. Joining the Scheme is not an automatic process. Church authorities are working with Commonwealth officials to facilitate entry into the Scheme as soon as possible. It is necessary for an institution, such as the Archdiocese, to apply to the Scheme and for that application to be approved by the Commonwealth.

The National Redress Scheme provides support to people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse. On 1 July 2018, the National Redress Scheme commenced, with survivors of child sexual abuse able to approach the Scheme at any time until 30 June 2027. Under the Scheme, applications for redress are made by independent assessors who decide on the appropriate levels of financial and other support, such as counselling services. The Catholic Church and other institutions participating in the Scheme will meet the costs of redress that the Scheme determines. Knowmore is an independent service giving free legal advice to assist survivors of abuse by providing them with information and advice about the justice and redress options that may be available to them.