If you attended St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill
St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill (often known as “Joeys”) is a long-established Catholic boys’ school in Sydney, New South Wales. Founded by the Marist Brothers in 1881, the college has operated as both a day and boarding school for over a century, educating boys from across Sydney and from regional and rural families who boarded during the school term.
Some former students have later reflected on distressing or harmful experiences from their time at the school, including those that occurred while they were children or adolescents. For some people, these memories may only surface many years later.
If you attended St Joseph’s College in earlier decades – particularly as a boarder or in circumstances where you were living away from family – you may recognise aspects of your own experience in broader discussions about historical abuse in institutional settings.
This page is intended to help former students understand what options may now be available, without making assumptions about any individual experience. It does not make findings or allegations against St Joseph’s College or any individual.
Why do people come forward many years later?
It is common for survivors of childhood abuse in schools and other institutions to delay speaking about what happened. Reasons can include:
- fear of not being believed
- feelings of shame or self-blame
- loyalty to the institution or community
- lack of information about legal or support options
- believing it was “too late” to do anything
Changes in the law in Australia now recognise that many survivors were unable to come forward earlier, and that delay does not diminish the seriousness of what may have occurred.
Abuse in school and boarding environments
Historical abuse in schools has taken many forms and may have occurred:
- on school grounds
- in boarding facilities
- during camps, excursions, or sporting activities
- in contexts where adults held authority or control over students
Responsibility for responding to such abuse is assessed at an institutional level, rather than placing the burden on survivors to prove individual fault. Boarding environments are recognised in law as requiring a heightened duty of care, given the level of control exercised over students outside school hours and away from family.
Historical context at St Joseph’s College
St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, was among the Marist Brothers institutions examined by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Royal Commission conducted public hearings into the Marist Brothers’ response to child sexual abuse across several schools in 2014.
The Marist Brothers have publicly acknowledged that at least eight members who served at St Joseph’s College were later found guilty of sexual offences against children in court. A number of individuals have faced criminal proceedings, and former students have brought civil claims for compensation.
Further background on the Marist Brothers’ history across Australian schools is available on our Marist Brothers compensation page and in our article on historical abuse at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill.
Your legal options today
Former students of St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, may be eligible to pursue one or more options, depending on their individual circumstances.
Civil compensation – the recommended pathway
For most survivors with a viable claim, a civil compensation claim through the courts is the pathway most likely to produce the best outcome. Civil compensation is assessed on the actual harm you have suffered – including the impact on your health, career, relationships, and quality of life – and is not subject to any cap. The large majority of claims settle before reaching a hearing, and confidentiality is standard.
In most cases, NSW limitation periods are no longer a barrier to civil claims arising from child sexual abuse, meaning former students can pursue claims regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred. Our limitation periods article explains the current legal position in detail. Individual circumstances still matter, and legal advice will help clarify your specific position.
You can read more about what civil claims involve on our abuse compensation lawyer page.
The National Redress Scheme – understand the limitations before applying
The National Redress Scheme provides access to counselling and a monetary payment for eligible survivors, without requiring court proceedings. However, there are significant limitations survivors should understand before applying.
The maximum Scheme payment is $150,000. In practice, payments for serious abuse average around $80,000, and many are considerably lower. More critically, accepting a Scheme payment permanently extinguishes your right to bring a civil claim against the institution. This is a one-way decision that cannot be reversed.
The Scheme may be appropriate in limited circumstances where a civil claim is not viable. For most survivors who have a viable claim, it is likely to produce a materially lower outcome. We strongly recommend obtaining independent legal advice before making any application. Applications close 30 June 2027.
Further reading:
- The National Redress Scheme – a review
- 5 things you should know about the National Redress Scheme
- Understanding Australia’s National Redress Scheme – key insights and comparisons
Not every survivor will wish to take legal action, and no option is mandatory.
Other Marist Brothers institutions in NSW
The Marist Brothers operated several schools across New South Wales. If you or someone you know attended another Marist Brothers school, recognition-first information may be available:
- Red Bend Catholic College, Forbes – Marist Brothers boarding school in regional NSW
- Parramatta Marist High School – Marist Brothers school in Western Sydney
For a broader context about Catholic schools and religious order institutions in NSW, see Catholic Schools and Institutions in NSW.
Speaking with a lawyer
Seeking legal advice does not mean you are committing to a claim. Many people simply want to understand:
- whether their experience is covered by current schemes or laws
- what steps are involved
- and whether it feels right for them personally
Conversations with Koffels are confidential, trauma-informed, and survivor-led. There is no cost to an initial discussion.
Phone: 02 9283 5599
Email: info@koffels.com.au
Frequently asked questions
Was there historical abuse at St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill?
St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, was among the Marist Brothers institutions examined by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The Royal Commission conducted public hearings into the Marist Brothers’ response to child sexual abuse across several schools in 2014. The Marist Brothers have publicly acknowledged that at least eight members who served at St Joseph’s College were later found guilty of sexual offences against children in court. Former students have brought civil claims for compensation. This page is intended to help former students understand what options may be available to them now.
Is there still time to make a civil compensation claim for abuse at Joeys?
In most cases, yes. NSW has removed time limits for civil claims relating to child sexual abuse, meaning former students can pursue claims regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred. Civil compensation is assessed on the actual impact of the abuse on your life – including your health, career, and relationships – and is not subject to any cap. Settlements can significantly exceed what other pathways offer. A confidential discussion with a specialist lawyer can help clarify whether a claim is viable and what the process would involve. See our limitation periods article for details on the current legal position.
What is the difference between a civil claim and the National Redress Scheme?
A civil compensation claim is pursued through the courts and is not subject to a cap – compensation reflects the real harm you suffered. The National Redress Scheme, by contrast, limits payments to a maximum of $150,000 (rarely reached; the average for serious abuse is around $80,000, and many payments are considerably lower). More critically, accepting a Scheme payment requires you to permanently sign away your right to bring a civil claim against the institution. This cannot be reversed. For survivors with viable civil claims, the Scheme often produces a significantly lower outcome. We strongly recommend obtaining independent legal advice before making any decision about the Scheme. Applications close on 30 June 2027.
I already applied to the National Redress Scheme. Can I still make a civil claim?
If you have applied to the Scheme but have not yet accepted an offer, you may still be able to explore a civil claim. If you have already accepted and received a Scheme payment, your right to bring a civil claim against that institution is generally extinguished. However, individual circumstances vary, and it is worth seeking legal advice to understand your specific position. Contact Koffels on 02 9283 5599 for a confidential discussion.
Who are the Marist Brothers, and what is their connection to St Joseph’s College?
The Marist Brothers (Fratres Maristae a Scholis) are a Catholic religious teaching order. St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill, was founded by the Marist Brothers in 1881 and conducted in the Marist tradition. For much of the school’s history, the Marist Brothers were directly involved in teaching and residential supervision. The Marist Brothers’ Province of Australia is a separate legal entity from the school, and both may be relevant respondents when considering a civil compensation claim. Our Marist Brothers compensation page provides further detail on the Order’s history and institutional liability.
What type of lawyer should I speak to about abuse at St Joseph’s College?
You should speak with a lawyer who specialises in institutional child sexual abuse claims. This area of law involves civil claims against schools and religious organisations, as well as an understanding of the specific history and legal structure of institutions such as St Joseph’s College and the Marist Brothers. Koffels Solicitors & Barristers has acted for former students of Marist Brothers schools and has experience with claims involving this institution.
What compensation amount can I expect from a civil claim?
Civil compensation is assessed on the harm you have actually suffered – there is no cap and no fixed schedule of amounts. Outcomes vary significantly depending on the nature and duration of the abuse, its impact on your life, and other individual factors. Civil claims typically produce considerably higher outcomes than National Redress Scheme payments for equivalent abuse. Most claims settle before reaching a hearing. A specialist lawyer can give you a realistic assessment once they understand your circumstances.
Will I have to give evidence in court?
Most claims settle before reaching a hearing, which means most survivors do not have to give evidence in open court. If your matter does proceed to a hearing, there are procedural options available to protect your identity, including the use of anonymised initials in court filings. Your lawyer can advise on these protections from the outset.
What if I am not sure whether what happened to me was abuse?
Many survivors are uncertain about how to describe or categorise their experience, particularly when they have carried it for a long time. You do not need to be certain before speaking to a lawyer. A confidential discussion can help you understand whether your experience may fall within a recognised legal category and what options might be available. There is no obligation to take any further action after an initial conversation, and there is no cost to speak with Koffels.
Does this page make allegations against St Joseph’s College?
No. This page provides institutional and historical context only, drawing on publicly available information including Royal Commission findings and court records. It does not make findings or allegations against St Joseph’s College or any individual. Its purpose is to help former students understand what legal options may be available to them.
