If you attended an independent or non-government school in NSW
Independent and non-government schools in New South Wales include long-established boys’ schools, girls’ schools and co-educational schools, including some with boarding arrangements.
In these settings, staff, coaches, boarding supervisors and other adults may have held significant authority over students.
For some former students, experiences at these schools included sexual abuse or other forms of harm that were not recognised or addressed at the time. If you attended an independent or non-government school in NSW in the past decades and have concerns
about your experiences, support, and legal options may now be available.
What is meant by “independent” or “non-government” schools?
In NSW, independent and non-government schools operate outside the public school system and may be faith-based or secular.
They are commonly governed by boards, trusts, incorporated entities or related organisations.
While governance structures vary, schools generally have responsibilities for student safety and welfare, particularly when boarding, camps, sport, or extracurricular activities are involved.
Historical abuse in independent school settings
Reports of historical child sexual abuse in independent school settings have arisen in a range of contexts, including:
- classrooms and tutorial settings
- boarding houses and dormitories
- sporting programs and coaching environments
- school camps, excursions and tours
- pastoral care or counselling arrangements
In many cases, abuse occurred during periods when safeguarding standards were weaker than they are today, reporting pathways were unclear, or children felt unable to speak up or be believed.
Examples of independent and non-government schools in NSW
This page provides general information only. Separate pages are available for specific schools, including:
Additional independent and non-government school pages may be added over time. Each school page focuses on recognition and context relating to that institution. No conclusions are drawn about individual cases.
Legal options for survivors of abuse at independent schools
Survivors of historical child sexual abuse connected with independent or non-government schools may have different pathways available, depending on factors such as when the abuse occurred, the nature of the school’s governance, and whether relevant limitation reforms apply.
Some survivors may be eligible to pursue civil compensation claims, while others may be eligible for the National Redress Scheme. General information about these options is available here:
- Institutional abuse compensation – information for survivors
- National Redress Scheme – how it works
- Sexual abuse lawyers – how we help
If you are unsure where your experience fits
It is common to feel uncertain about whether your experience “counts”, whether too much time has passed, or whether an independent school can still be held accountable. Confidential advice can help clarify your options and explain next steps in a supportive, survivor-centred way.
If you would like to speak with a lawyer, you can contact Koffels Solicitors & Barristers on
+61 2 9283 5599.
Important: This page provides general information and is not legal advice. If you need advice about your circumstances, please seek confidential legal advice.
