Search

National Redress Scheme

The National Redress Scheme provides acknowledgement and support to people who experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

It was created in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, which estimated that 60,000 people experienced institutional child sexual abuse in Australia.

The Scheme, administered by the Australian Government, started on 1 July 2018 and will run for 10 years.

The Tasmanian Government officially joined the Scheme on 1 November 2018.

More information about the National Redress Scheme is available on the National Redress Scheme website or the National Redress Information Telephone Line – 1800 737 377.

Read the Ministerial Statement, from the Attorney-General, the Hon Elise Archer MP, from 22 May 2018, announcing the Tasmanian Government’s participation in the National Redress Scheme, a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

All Australian governments have now committed to joining the Scheme.

The Tasmanian Parliament passed the National Redress Scheme into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (Commonwealth Powers) Act 2018 to bring Tasmania into the Scheme on 20 September 2018. The Act has received Royal Assent, bringing the Tasmanian Government and participating Tasmanian non-government institutions into the Scheme.

Access the National Redress Scheme into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (Commonwealth Powers) Bill 2018.

Tasmanians are now able to apply to the National Redress Scheme to have their applications assessed. They can also access support services to assist them with this process.

What the National Redress Scheme can provide:

The Scheme can provide:

• A monetary payment;
• Access to counselling and psychological care; and
• A direct personal response (DPR) which provides a meaningful apology and acknowledgment from the responsible institution.

Applicants may request one, two or all three components of the Scheme.

The Scheme is available to people who experienced sexual abuse (prior 1 July 2018) as a child (under 18 years of age) and where an institution was responsible for bringing the person into contact with the abuser.

For more information, see the National Redress Scheme website or contact the National Redress Scheme information line -

Ph: 1800 737 377.

Counselling and Psychological Care (CPC) Services:

Applicants can choose to take part in counselling as a part of the National Redress Scheme. If you do choose to take part in counselling, you can see a psychologist or a counsellor who has expertise in supporting people who have experienced child sexual abuse. Everyone who receives redress will have different counselling needs. You will be able to access at least 20 hours of counselling over your lifetime – at no cost to you. Each person’s offer of redress is different and so the amount of sessions available to you may be higher.

We can help you to connect to a local counselling service. You can choose to have face to face or telephone counselling. Our staff will work with you to find out what you need and help you to find someone who you feel comfortable with. If you already have a psychologist or counsellor, we will pay for your sessions as a part of your redress offer. Your psychologist or counsellor must contact us before you start your sessions. We will discuss the payment arrangements with them.

Psychologists and counsellors can register to become an approved service provider under the National Redress Scheme. There are minimum requirements that you must meet. Please contact us for further information or to register as a provider.

For more information on Tasmania's CPC services, see the following links or contact the Child Abuse Royal Commission Response Unit:

Information on Tasmania's CPC Services - simple text

Information of Tasmania's CPC Services (PDF, 308.9 KB)

A Direct Personal Response (DPR):

A Direct Personal Response (DPR) is a key element of the National Redress Scheme. It is an opportunity for successful applicants to engage with the institution responsible for your abuse. A DPR can include:

• A personal letter of apology,
• A face-to-face meeting with a senior government official,
• Help to access personal records,
• An assurance of what the institution is doing to prevent future abuse, and
• Anything else that is meaningful for you and agreed with the institution.

A DPR face-to-face meeting is a private, facilitated meeting for you to meet with a senior government official to:

• Share your personal story of abuse in a safe environment,
• Have the institution accept responsibility for the abuse, acknowledge its impact and provide a genuine apology,
• Ask questions and seek personal information from the institution,
• Allow the senior government official to listen and to learn from your experience, and
• Request information on what the government is doing to prevent abuse occurring and how they respond when abuse is reported.

For more information on the Tasmanian Government's DPR services, see the following links or contact the Child Abuse Royal Commission Response Unit:

Information on Tasmania's DPR process - simple text

DPR Information Sheet (PDF, 347.5 KB)

Contact us:

Child Abuse Royal Commission Response Unit

P (03) 6165 4802  |  E CPC@justice.tas.gov.au  | W www.justice.tas.gov.au

Level 3, 85-99 Collins Street, Hobart Tas 7000  | GPO Box 825, Hobart Tas 7001

The Child Abuse Royal Commission Response Unit (CARCRU) is a unit within the Tasmanian Department of Justice.

It has been set up in response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Where can you get help?

The Tasmanian Government encourages anyone affected by child sexual or physical abuse to access the services and support groups that are available to assist. Some options for advice and support are listed below:

National