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This page is for people who attended a Catholic primary or secondary school in New South Wales and want to understand who was responsible for their school, how the law has changed, and what options may be available. It links to our pages on individual schools, dioceses, and religious orders.

This page provides general historical and institutional information. It does not make findings or allegations against any school, diocese, or religious order, and it is not affiliated with Catholic Schools NSW Ltd or any Catholic education authority.

Who was responsible for your school?

Catholic schools in NSW have not all been run the same way. Broadly, a school was either run by its diocese or by a religious order, and the answer can change depending on when you attended.

Type of school Usually run by Why it matters for a claim
Diocesan or “systemic” school The local diocese, through its Catholic education office The claim is usually against the diocese, often through its property trustees
Religious order school An order such as the Marist Brothers, Christian Brothers, or De La Salle Brothers The order may be responsible, sometimes alongside the diocese
Parish setting The parish and the diocese Abuse by a parish priest, including during school scripture classes, may involve the diocese directly

Governance arrangements have changed over the decades, and many schools have merged, changed names, or passed from an order to a diocese. If you are unsure who ran your school at the time, that is common. Working this out is part of what we do at the start of every claim.

How the law has changed

Several recent changes and court decisions affect claims against Catholic institutions in NSW:

  • No time limit in most cases. In 2016 NSW removed the time limit for civil claims involving child sexual abuse. In most cases it is not too late to act, although individual circumstances still matter. Read more about limitation periods for historical abuse claims.
  • Past settlements can sometimes be set aside. NSW courts now have power to set aside some earlier settlements with institutions. See NSW courts to break unfair settlements.
  • The death of the abuser is not, on its own, a bar to a claim. In GLJ v Diocese of Lismore (2023), the High Court held that a claim should not be permanently stayed simply because the alleged abuser and key witnesses had died.
  • Vicarious liability was narrowed. In Bird v DP (2024), the High Court held that a diocese is not vicariously liable for a priest who was not its employee.
  • Non-delegable duty was expanded. In AA v Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle (2026), the High Court held that a diocese can be liable for abuse by a priest under a non-delegable duty of care, including for intentional criminal acts. Koffels acted for AA.

Our experience with Catholic institutional abuse claims

Since 1990, Koffels Solicitors & Barristers has represented survivors of abuse at Catholic schools and parishes across NSW. Our work includes:

  • schools run by religious orders, including the Marist Brothers, Christian Brothers, and De La Salle Brothers
  • diocesan schools and parishes across Sydney, the Hunter, and regional NSW
  • claims based on direct institutional negligence, non-delegable duty, and systemic failure
  • appeals on fundamental questions of institutional liability, including AA v Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle in the High Court of Australia.

Find your school by location

The groupings below are by diocese, which is the Catholic Church’s geographic area. A school run by a religious order is listed by where it is located, and also under its order further down the page.

Hunter region (Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle)

Sydney (Archdiocese of Sydney)

North Shore (Diocese of Broken Bay)

Western Sydney (Diocese of Parramatta)

Illawarra and Macarthur (Diocese of Wollongong)

Northern Rivers (Diocese of Lismore)

Regional NSW

Find your school by religious order

Brother William Beninati is covered on our page on institutions associated with Brother William Beninati.

Looking for a non-Catholic school? See our page on independent and non-government schools in NSW.

Your options

For most survivors, a civil compensation claim is the pathway we recommend. Compensation is assessed on the actual harm you have suffered, including to your health, relationships, career, and quality of life, and it is not capped. Virtually all claims settle before a hearing, and confidentiality is standard. Read more about church abuse compensation.

Most Catholic dioceses and many religious orders participate in the National Redress Scheme, largely through Australian Catholic Redress Limited. The Scheme may suit some people where a civil claim isn’t viable, but payments are capped at $150,000, a figure rarely reached in practice, and many payments are significantly lower. Accepting a Scheme payment permanently extinguishes your right to bring a civil claim. Applications close on 30 June 2027, so we strongly recommend independent legal advice before applying. Read our review of the National Redress Scheme.

Confidential advice

If you would like to talk about your experience and your options, Ross Koffel and our team offer a free, confidential first consultation. You don’t need to be certain about every detail before you call.

Call 02 9283 5599, email info@koffels.com.au, or use the form below.

Frequently asked questions

Is this page connected to Catholic Schools NSW?

No. Koffels Solicitors & Barristers is an independent law firm. This page is not affiliated with Catholic Schools NSW Ltd or any Catholic education authority, and it does not make findings or allegations against any school or organisation.

What is the difference between a diocese and a religious order?

A diocese is a geographic area of the Catholic Church led by a bishop. A religious order, such as the Marist Brothers or Christian Brothers, is a separate organisation with its own leadership that may run schools within a diocese. The difference matters because it can determine who is legally responsible for a claim.

How do I know who was responsible for my school?

It depends on which school you attended, when you attended, and the governance arrangements at the time. Schools have often merged, changed names, or passed from one order to another. We can help you work this out in a confidential first consultation.

Is there a time limit for a claim in NSW?

NSW removed the time limit for civil child sexual abuse claims in 2016, so in most cases it is not too late to act. Individual circumstances still matter, so it is worth getting advice. Applications to the National Redress Scheme close on 30 June 2027.

Can I still make a claim if the priest or brother has died?

Often, yes. In GLJ v Diocese of Lismore (2023), the High Court held that a claim should not be permanently stayed simply because the alleged abuser had died. Every case depends on its facts. Read more about claims where the abuser has died.

I accepted a settlement years ago. Can it be reopened?

Possibly. NSW courts can set aside some past settlements with institutions if it is just and reasonable. Read more about reopening settled abuse claims.

Why isn’t my school listed?

This page lists schools we have published information about. Many others are not listed. If your school isn’t here, you can still contact us in confidence.

Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and is not legal advice. Every survivor’s circumstances are different, and the law that applies depends on the specific facts. We recommend getting specialist legal advice before taking action.

If you are in immediate crisis, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Blue Knot Foundation National Helpline on 1300 657 380.

Ross Koffel

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