The National Redress Scheme is an Australian government scheme created to recognise and respond to institutional child sexual abuse. It provides an alternative pathway to civil compensation and is separate from court-based legal claims.
This page provides general information only. Eligibility and outcomes depend on individual circumstances and the institution involved.
Speaking with a National Redress Scheme lawyer
A National Redress Scheme lawyer does not lodge Redress applications – the Scheme is designed for survivors to apply directly. What a specialist lawyer does is advise you on whether applying for redress is actually in your best interests, or whether a civil compensation claim would produce a significantly better outcome in your circumstances.
This distinction matters because accepting a Redress offer permanently extinguishes your right to pursue a civil claim against the same institution. Koffels has seen payments as low as $7,000 paid to survivors who were unaware they were signing away a civil claim potentially worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Before making any decision about the Scheme, speak with a specialist lawyer.
Koffels Solicitors & Barristers provides independent legal advice on the National Redress Scheme – including whether Redress or a civil compensation claim is the better pathway for your specific circumstances. Initial consultations are free and confidential. Call 02 9283 5599 or use the contact form below.
What is the National Redress Scheme?
The National Redress Scheme is an administrative scheme, not a court process. It was established following the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
The Scheme is designed to provide:
- recognition of harm experienced by survivors
- access to counselling and psychological support
- a monetary payment in some cases
Redress focuses on acknowledgement and response rather than determining legal fault or liability.
Who may be eligible to apply?
You may be eligible to apply for redress if:
- you experienced child sexual abuse before 1 July 2018
- the abuse occurred in an institutional context
- the responsible institution is a participating institution under the Scheme
Applications are made by survivors as adults. You do not need to have reported the abuse at the time it occurred.
What does redress include?
If an application is successful, redress may include one or more of the following:
- Monetary payment – payments are capped under the Scheme and assessed according to its framework
- Counselling and psychological care – funding to support access to treatment
- Direct personal response – such as an apology or acknowledgement from the institution, if requested
Not all applicants will receive the same components.
Which institutions are covered?
Only institutions that have joined the National Redress Scheme can provide redress. Participating institutions include many schools, religious organisations, care providers and residential facilities, and youth and community organisations. If an institution has not joined the Scheme, redress may not be available through this pathway, even if abuse occurred in that setting.
How is redress different from a civil compensation claim?
The National Redress Scheme and civil compensation claims are separate pathways with significantly different outcomes.
- Process: Redress is administrative; civil claims are legal proceedings
- Outcomes: Redress payments are capped at $150,000 (most payments are substantially lower – the average for serious abuse is around $80,000); civil compensation is not capped and is assessed on the actual harm suffered
- Focus: Redress centres on recognition and response; civil claims assess legal responsibility
- Finality: Accepting redress permanently prevents you from bringing a civil claim against the same institution for the same abuse
For a comprehensive comparison of both pathways, including our assessment of the Scheme’s limitations, see our detailed analysis: Understanding Australia’s National Redress Scheme: Key Insights and Comparisons.
Should you apply for redress or pursue a civil claim?
This is one of the most important decisions a survivor will make. The right choice depends on the strength of available evidence, the severity and ongoing impact of the abuse, whether the institution participates in the Scheme, and your personal circumstances.
We recommend seeking independent legal advice before deciding. Koffels Solicitors & Barristers offers a free, confidential consultation to help you understand which pathway is most appropriate for your situation. We do not lodge Redress applications, but we can advise on whether Redress or a civil claim is likely to achieve the best outcome for you.
Call 02 9283 5599 or use the contact form below to request a free consultation.
What evidence is required?
The Scheme takes a flexible approach to evidence, particularly for historical abuse. Evidence may include personal statements, institutional or placement records, medical or counselling records, and other material supporting your experience. You do not need to have made a formal complaint at the time of the abuse.
Timeframes
Applications can take time to assess. Timeframes vary depending on the complexity of the application, the institution involved, and whether additional information is required. Survivors are able to take time to consider any offer made under the Scheme.
Getting advice about the National Redress Scheme
The National Redress Scheme can have long-term legal consequences, particularly in relation to civil compensation options. Independent legal advice can help clarify whether redress is available in your circumstances, what accepting an offer may mean, and how redress compares with other pathways.
Koffels Solicitors & Barristers does not prepare or lodge National Redress Scheme applications. However, we provide independent legal advice on whether pursuing a civil compensation claim or applying for the Scheme is likely to achieve a better outcome in your specific circumstances. We offer a free, confidential consultation.
For a detailed analysis of the Scheme’s strengths and limitations, see: The National Redress Scheme – a review.
The Scheme closes 30 June 2027
Applications to the National Redress Scheme close on 30 June 2027. Each week until the deadline, we publish one fact survivors need to know before applying – or before deciding not to. Read the NRS countdown series →
Frequently asked questions
What does a National Redress Scheme lawyer actually do?
A National Redress Scheme lawyer does not prepare or lodge Redress applications – the Scheme is designed for survivors to apply directly. A specialist lawyer’s role is to advise you on whether applying for redress is the right decision in your circumstances, or whether a civil compensation claim would produce a better outcome.
This advice is critical because accepting a Redress offer generally prevents you from later bringing a civil claim against the same institution. The maximum Redress payment is $150,000, and in practice most payments are significantly lower – Koffels has seen cases where survivors received as little as $7,000, unaware they were foreclosing a civil claim worth substantially more.
Koffels provides this advice free of charge and without obligation. Call 02 9283 5599 or use the contact form below.
Is the National Redress Scheme the same as compensation?
No. The National Redress Scheme is separate from civil compensation. It provides capped payments and support services rather than court-assessed damages. The maximum payment under the Scheme is $150,000. Civil compensation has no cap and is assessed on the actual harm suffered, including psychological injury, economic loss, and treatment costs.
Can I apply if the abuse happened a long time ago?
Yes. Many applications involve abuse that occurred decades ago, provided the abuse happened before 1 July 2018 and involved a participating institution.
What if the institution has not joined the Scheme?
If an institution has not joined the Scheme, redress may not be available through this pathway. However, other legal options – including a civil compensation claim – may still exist. Contact us to discuss your specific circumstances.
Do I have to accept an offer of redress?
No. If an offer is made, you are able to consider it and decide whether to accept or decline. You should never feel pressured to accept. Before accepting any Redress offer, we strongly recommend obtaining independent legal advice – this is free at Koffels and can be arranged before you make any decision.
Can I still bring a civil claim after accepting redress?
Generally, no. Accepting a Redress offer permanently extinguishes your right to bring a civil claim against the same institution for the same abuse. This is one of the most important consequences of accepting Redress and is why independent legal advice before accepting any offer is essential.
Do I need a lawyer to apply for redress?
You are not required to use a lawyer to apply for the National Redress Scheme. However, many survivors benefit significantly from obtaining independent legal advice before deciding whether to apply for redress or pursue a civil compensation claim instead. Legal advice can help you understand whether you may be eligible for both pathways, which is likely to achieve a better outcome, and what accepting a Redress offer would mean for your future legal options. At Koffels, we do not lodge Redress applications, but we offer free, confidential advice on which pathway is most appropriate for your situation.
Does Koffels help with National Redress Scheme applications?
We do not prepare or lodge National Redress Scheme applications. The Scheme is designed as a self-help process where survivors apply directly.
However, we provide independent legal advice on whether pursuing a civil compensation claim or applying for the Scheme is likely to achieve a better outcome in your specific circumstances. This advice is important because accepting a Redress payment generally prevents you from pursuing a civil claim later. Some survivors receive significantly more compensation through a civil claim than through the Scheme. We will advise you honestly on which option is most suitable for your situation.
Contact us for a free, confidential consultation: 02 9283 5599
Related information
- Institutional abuse compensation in Australia
- Institutional child sexual abuse lawyers – Koffels
- Time limits and historical abuse claims in Australia
- Understanding Australia’s National Redress Scheme: Key Insights and Comparisons
- The National Redress Scheme – a review
- NRS countdown – 52 facts before the Scheme closes
