If you attended a school run by the Patrician Brothers and were sexually abused as a child, you may be able to claim compensation, even if the abuse happened decades ago. This page explains the options available to former students of Patrician Brothers schools, including the colleges at Fairfield, Liverpool, Blacktown and Granville.
This page does not make findings or allegations against any school, the Patrician Brothers, or any individual except where a court has convicted that person. It gives general information to help former students understand their options.
Who are the Patrician Brothers?
The Patrician Brothers, formally the Brothers of St Patrick, are a Catholic religious order founded in Ireland in 1808. In New South Wales they ran boys’ schools in inner and western Sydney from the 1880s. Over time those schools either closed or passed to lay leadership and Catholic education authorities, with the last handovers in the early 2000s.
Patrician Brothers schools in the National Redress Scheme
The National Redress Scheme register lists the Trustees of the Patrician Brothers as the responsible organisation for the following schools, for the periods shown:
| School | Years listed under the Patrician Brothers | Koffels witness appeal |
|---|---|---|
| Patrician Brothers’ College, Fairfield | 1953 to 2001 | None |
| Patrician Brothers’ College, Liverpool (now All Saints Catholic College) | 1954 to 2000 | Yes, about 1968 to 1975 |
| Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown | 1952 to 1986 | Yes |
| Patrician Brothers’ College, Granville | 1942 to 1995 | None |
| Holy Cross College, Ryde | 1891 to 2002 | None |
| Patrician Brothers’ School, Redfern | 1886 to 1962 | None |
| Patrician Brothers’ School, Forest Lodge | 1892 to 1967 | None |
Source: nationalredress.gov.au participating institutions register, checked 11 October 2026. A school without a witness appeal is not a finding either way.
Being on the register means the order has agreed to take part in the Scheme. It is not a finding that abuse occurred at any particular school. It also matters for a civil claim: if abuse happened outside the years listed, a different body, such as a Catholic diocese or schools office, may be the one responsible. Working out the right defendant is one of the first things we do.
Convictions and current witness appeals
Two former staff members at Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown, Brother Martin Harmata and Allan James Pollock, have pleaded guilty to child sexual offences against students and been sentenced to prison. Read our witness appeal for Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown.
We are also acting for a survivor of alleged abuse at Patrician Brothers’ College, Liverpool, in the early 1970s, and we are seeking former students and staff who were there between about 1968 and 1975. Read our witness appeal for Patrician Brothers’ College, Liverpool.
If you attended any Patrician Brothers school, including Fairfield, Granville or Holy Cross, Ryde, we are happy to hear from you in confidence, whether you have a claim of your own or information that could help someone else.
Your options: a civil claim or the National Redress Scheme
For most survivors, a civil compensation claim is the stronger pathway. Compensation is assessed on the actual harm you have suffered, including to your health, career, relationships and quality of life, and it is not capped. Virtually all claims settle before a hearing, and settlements are usually confidential. Read more about institutional abuse compensation and how the legal process works.
The National Redress Scheme may suit some people where a civil claim is not viable. For most survivors with a viable claim, though, it works more in the institution’s favour than theirs. The maximum payment is $150,000 and is rarely reached, and Koffels has seen many payments significantly lower than the average. Accepting a Scheme payment permanently extinguishes your right to bring a civil claim against the institution. Applications close on 30 June 2027, so get independent legal advice before you apply. Our article 5 things you should know about the National Redress Scheme explains why.
| Civil compensation claim | National Redress Scheme | |
|---|---|---|
| How much | Assessed on the actual harm suffered, with no cap | Up to $150,000, rarely reached |
| Effect on other options | None until you settle | Accepting a payment permanently extinguishes your right to a civil claim |
| Standard of proof | Balance of probabilities | Reasonable likelihood (a lower standard) |
| Independent legal advice | Your own lawyer acts for you throughout | Not routinely offered before you sign |
| Deadline | No time limit in NSW for child sexual abuse claims, in most cases | Applications close 30 June 2027 |
| How it usually ends | A confidential settlement before any hearing | A written offer to accept or decline |
Is it too late to make a claim?
In most cases, no. New South Wales has removed time limits for civil claims arising from child sexual abuse, so abuse from the 1950s, 1960s or 1970s can still be the subject of a claim today. Individual circumstances still matter, and the rules in other states differ. See our guide to limitation periods for historical abuse claims.
A claim may also be possible if the person who abused you has died, and in some cases a past settlement can be set aside if it was unfair. See what you can do if your abuser has died and changes in NSW allowing settlements to be overturned.
What information can help
You do not need documents to speak with us. If you have any of the following, they can help later on:
- The years you attended, and the names of teachers, Brothers or coaches you remember
- School reports, photos, yearbooks, or sports and camp records
- The names of anyone you told at the time, or since
- Medical, counselling or employment records that show how the abuse has affected you
Speak to us confidentially
Koffels has acted for survivors of institutional abuse for many years. A first conversation is free and confidential, and it does not commit you to anything. If a case does go to court, you can generally ask to be identified by a pseudonym. Read more about anonymity in court proceedings.
Call 02 9283 5599 or use the form below to request a callback.
If you need support now, you can contact the Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380, Lifeline on 13 11 14 (24 hours) or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Frequently asked questions
Was there abuse at Patrician Brothers’ College, Fairfield?
We are not aware of any convictions relating to Patrician Brothers’ College, Fairfield, and this page makes no allegation about the school. The college appears on the National Redress Scheme register under the Trustees of the Patrician Brothers for 1953 to 2001. If you were abused while a student at Fairfield, you can speak with us in confidence about your options, which may include a civil compensation claim.
Are the Patrician Brothers part of the National Redress Scheme?
Yes. The Trustees of the Patrician Brothers are listed on the National Redress Scheme register as the responsible organisation for several schools, including the colleges at Fairfield, Liverpool, Blacktown and Granville. Before you apply, get independent legal advice: accepting a Scheme payment permanently extinguishes your right to a civil claim, and for most survivors, a civil claim results in significantly higher compensation.
Can I still make a claim if the abuse happened in the 1960s or 1970s?
In most cases, yes. New South Wales has removed time limits for civil claims arising from child sexual abuse, so historical abuse can still be the subject of a claim. Individual circumstances still matter, so it is worth getting advice on your situation.
Who would my claim be against?
It depends on when and where the abuse happened. While the Patrician Brothers ran the school, you may bring a claim against the order’s trustees. After the school passed to a Catholic diocese or school’s office, that body may be responsible instead. We identify the right defendant when assessing your claim.
What if the person who abused me has died?
You may still be able to claim. A civil claim for institutional abuse is usually brought against the institution, not only the individual, so the death of the abuser does not necessarily end your right to compensation. Read more about claims where the abuser has died.
Do I need to go to court?
Usually not. Virtually all institutional abuse claims settle before a hearing, and settlements are usually confidential. If a case does go to court, you can generally ask to be identified by a pseudonym.
I have information but was not abused myself. Can I still help?
Yes. Former students and staff often hold information that helps other survivors, such as who taught which classes, who supervised camps or boarding, and how complaints were handled. Anything you share with us is confidential.
