If you were held at Reiby, whether you knew it as Reiby Training School, Reiby Juvenile Justice Centre or Reiby Youth Justice Centre, and you were sexually or physically abused there as a child, you may be entitled to compensation. This applies even if it happened many years ago, and even if you were in detention for offending. This page explains your options as a former detainee.
This page does not make findings or allegations against any individual. It gives general information to help former detainees understand their options.
About Reiby
Reiby is a government-run detention centre at Airds, near Campbelltown in south-western Sydney. It has operated under several names and departments since it opened in 1973:
| Period | Name | Who was held | Responsible department |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 to 1977 | Reiby Training School | Girls | Department of Youth and Community Services |
| 1977 to 1991 | Reiby Training School | Girls and boys under 18 | Department of Youth and Community Services |
| 1991 onwards | Reiby Juvenile Justice Centre | Young people on remand or serving control orders | Department of Juvenile Justice |
| Today | Reiby Youth Justice Centre | Young people on remand or serving control orders | Youth Justice NSW, Department of Communities and Justice |
Throughout its history, the NSW Government has run Reiby. That matters because the State of New South Wales is usually the defendant in a compensation claim.
What is known about abuse at Reiby
In 2017, NSW Police’s Strike Force Redcliffe charged three former juvenile justice officers over alleged historical sexual offences against detainees at Reiby. The charges relate to the period from about 1996 to 2004, and some involved children aged 10 to 16. A charge is not a finding of guilt. These charges are a matter of public record, and former detainees have also spoken publicly about their experiences.
Our earlier article, institutional child abuse at Reiby Training School, has more background. Reiby is one of several NSW centres covered in our guide for survivors of youth detention centre and boys’ home abuse.
Being in detention does not reduce your rights
Many former detainees assume they cannot make a claim because they were in custody for offending, or because they think no one will believe them. Neither is true. A child in detention was in the State’s care, and the State had a responsibility to keep that child safe. Your reason for being at Reiby has no bearing on whether you can claim for abuse that happened to you there.
Your options
For most survivors, a civil compensation claim against the State of New South Wales is the stronger pathway. Compensation is assessed on the actual harm you have suffered, including to your health, work, 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 NSW Government participates in the National Redress Scheme, which covers government-run juvenile justice centres. The Scheme may suit some people when a civil claim isn’t viable, but for most survivors with a viable claim, it works more in the institution’s favour than theirs. The maximum payment is $150,000 and is rarely reached, and accepting a payment permanently extinguishes your right to a civil claim. Applications close on 30 June 2027, so get independent legal advice before you apply.
| 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 |
You may also be able to apply to Victims Support NSW for a recognition payment and counselling. This is separate from a civil claim, and the two can affect each other, so speak with us before you apply for either.
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 at Reiby in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s or 2000s can still be the subject of a claim. Individual circumstances still matter, and claims for physical abuse alone can be treated differently. See our guide to limitation periods for historical abuse claims.
Getting your records
You do not need records to speak with us. If you want them, you can ask the NSW Department of Communities and Justice for the files held about your time in care or detention. We can make that request for you as part of a claim. Your records can help confirm when you were at Reiby, which units you were in, and sometimes who was on duty.
Speak to us confidentially
A first conversation with Koffels 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), 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) or 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation for abuse at Reiby if I was there because of offending?
Yes. The reason you were held at Reiby does not affect your right to claim for abuse that happened to you there. The State of New South Wales was responsible for your safety while you were in its custody.
Is Reiby Training School the same place as Reiby Juvenile Justice Centre?
Yes. Reiby opened at Airds in 1973 as Reiby Training School, became Reiby Juvenile Justice Centre in 1991, and now operates as Reiby Youth Justice Centre. A claim can relate to any period of its operation.
Who would my claim be against?
Usually the State of New South Wales, because NSW Government departments have always run Reiby. You bring a claim against the State, not just the individual staff member involved.
Is there a time limit for a Reiby abuse claim?
For child sexual abuse, in most cases there is no time limit in New South Wales. Claims for physical abuse alone can be treated differently, so get advice on your situation as early as you can.
Does the National Redress Scheme cover Reiby?
The NSW Government participates in the National Redress Scheme, and that covers government-run juvenile justice centres such as Reiby. 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.
What if the officer who abused me has died or was never charged?
You may still be able to claim. A civil claim does not depend on a criminal charge or conviction, and it is brought against the State, so the death of the person who abused you does not necessarily end your right to compensation. Read more about claims where the abuser has died.
I was abused at more than one centre. Can I still claim?
Yes. Many former detainees were moved between centres such as Reiby, Keelong and Mount Penang. One claim can cover abuse at more than one State-run facility.
