If you attended a Marist Brothers institution
If you attended a school or other institution operated by the Marist Brothers, you may have been part of a network that extended well beyond any single campus. The Marist Brothers operated across multiple locations in New South Wales and nationally, with shared governance, staffing pathways, and a provincial structure that connected individual schools to the wider order.
Where abuse occurred in a Marist Brothers institution, that shared structure can be relevant to understanding who may bear responsibility and which legal pathways are available.
This page provides general context only. For information specific to a school or site, individual institution pages are the most direct starting point, and are linked below where published.
About the Marist Brothers
The Marist Brothers (formally the Little Brothers of Mary) are a Catholic religious order founded in France in 1817. They have been active in Australian education since the 1870s, establishing schools across New South Wales and other states over more than 150 years.
In NSW, Marist Brothers institutions have included secondary schools, primary schools, and residential or boarding settings in locations including Parramatta, Hunters Hill, Kogarah, Penshurst, Dundas, and other areas. The order operated through a provincial governance structure, meaning that authority over individual schools and the movement of personnel was not confined to a single institution.
The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse examined the Marist Brothers as part of its broad inquiry into Catholic institutions. The Commission’s findings included evidence of sexual abuse across multiple Marist Brothers schools and settings in Australia, and examined how the order responded to complaints and disclosures over time.
The Marist Brothers Province of Australia is separately listed on the National Redress Scheme register as a participating institution, in addition to individual schools listed under their own names.
Marist institutions in NSW
Marist Brothers institutions in NSW have included secondary schools, primary schools, and in some cases settings connected with boarding or residential arrangements. The list of institutions connected with an order can change over time due to governance shifts, renaming, amalgamations, or transitions to different operators.
Institutional names and governance arrangements have not always been consistent across decades. If your school is not listed below, it may still have had a connection to the Marist Brothers, and that connection may still be relevant to your options.
Individual institution pages
The following pages have been published and provide more detailed information for those schools:
Further institution pages will be linked here as they are published.
Institutional responsibility
When an institution operates under a religious order, responsibility for abuse may extend beyond the individual school or site. Depending on the period and the governance structure in place at the time, relevant institutional responsibility can involve:
- the institution itself (such as a school or residential facility)
- the Marist Brothers order structure, including provincial governance and the movement of personnel between schools
- where applicable, related Catholic education bodies or diocesan frameworks
The provincial structure of the Marist Brothers is relevant here. Brothers were moved between schools and communities under provincial direction, and complaints made at one institution were sometimes handled at a provincial level rather than locally. This structure has been the subject of scrutiny in civil proceedings and in the Royal Commission’s findings.
Safeguarding practices have also changed significantly over time. Earlier decades operated under very different standards for oversight, reporting, and complaint handling than modern frameworks require.
This page does not assess any specific institution, period, or individual. It provides general context for understanding how order-operated institutions can be structured and how that structure may be relevant to legal claims.
Survivor options
People who experienced sexual abuse at a Marist Brothers institution in NSW may have options available to them, including civil compensation claims and the National Redress Scheme. The right pathway depends on individual circumstances.
Civil compensation
Civil compensation through the courts is the pathway the firm recommends for the majority of survivors with a viable claim. Compensation is assessed on the actual harm suffered, including the impact on health, relationships, career, and quality of life. There is no cap on the amount that can be awarded or negotiated, and virtually all claims settle before any hearing. NSW has removed time limits for civil child sexual abuse claims in most cases, meaning the passage of time does not necessarily prevent a claim from proceeding.
National Redress Scheme
The National Redress Scheme may be appropriate in some circumstances, but it is not the right pathway for everyone. Before applying, it is important to understand that:
- the maximum payment is $150,000, which is rarely achieved in practice
- average payments for serious abuse have been around $80,000, with many payments significantly lower
- accepting a Scheme payment permanently extinguishes the right to bring a civil claim against the same institution
- the Marist Brothers Province of Australia is a listed Scheme participant, as are some individual schools
- applications close 30 June 2027
The firm strongly recommends getting independent legal advice before submitting a National Redress Scheme application. For more information on the Scheme and its limitations, see the firm’s articles: The National Redress Scheme: a review and 5 things you should know about the National Redress Scheme.
For structured information on both pathways, the following pages provide more detail:
Confidential legal advice
If you’d like to discuss your options confidentially, you can contact Koffels Solicitors & Barristers.
Phone: 02 9283 5599 or use the contact form below:
FAQs
Can I make a compensation claim for abuse at a Marist Brothers school in NSW?
Yes. If you experienced sexual abuse at a Marist Brothers school or institution in NSW, you may be able to make a civil compensation claim. NSW has removed time limits for civil child sexual abuse claims in most cases, so the passage of time does not necessarily prevent a claim from proceeding. The appropriate pathway depends on your individual circumstances. Koffels Solicitors & Barristers can provide confidential advice on what may be available to you.
Were the Marist Brothers investigated by the Royal Commission?
Yes. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse examined the Marist Brothers as part of its inquiry into Catholic institutions. The Commission heard evidence of sexual abuse across multiple Marist Brothers schools and settings in Australia, and examined how the order handled complaints and disclosures over time. The Commission’s findings and case study reports are publicly available.
Is there a time limit for making a claim against the Marist Brothers?
In most cases, no. NSW has removed limitation periods for civil claims relating to child sexual abuse, meaning survivors are not automatically barred from bringing a claim because of how much time has passed. Individual circumstances still matter, and there may be practical considerations that affect a claim, so early legal advice is worthwhile.
Should I apply to the National Redress Scheme or pursue a civil claim?
For most survivors with a viable civil claim, the firm’s position is that civil compensation is the better pathway. The National Redress Scheme caps payments at $150,000, with average payments for serious abuse around $80,000. Accepting a Scheme payment permanently extinguishes the right to bring a civil claim against the same institution. The decision is significant, and the firm strongly recommends independent legal advice before applying to the Scheme.
Are the Marist Brothers part of the National Redress Scheme?
Yes. The Marist Brothers Province of Australia is a separately listed participant on the National Redress Scheme register. Some individual Marist Brothers schools are also listed as participants in their own right. If you are considering a Scheme application, legal advice specific to your circumstances is recommended before you proceed.
Does this page make allegations about the Marist Brothers or any individual?
No. This page provides general organisational and legal context only. It does not make findings or allegations against the Marist Brothers, any school, or any individual. It is intended to help former students and others understand the institutional structure and the options available to them.
Why isn’t my school listed on this page?
This hub is not exhaustive. Individual institution pages are published based on available information and relevance to survivor pathways, and further pages will be added over time. If your school or institution had a connection to the Marist Brothers and is not listed here, that does not mean a claim is unavailable. Contact the firm for advice specific to your circumstances.
Were all Marist Brothers institutions governed the same way?
Not necessarily. Governance arrangements varied by location and time period, and the Marist Brothers operated through a provincial structure that connected individual schools to the wider order. This provincial structure, including the movement of personnel between schools, has been relevant in civil proceedings and in the Royal Commission’s examination of the order.
