If you experienced childhood sexual abuse within an institution, you are not alone. In Queensland alone, more than 12,700 institutions have self-enrolled in the National Redress Scheme. That includes schools, churches, sporting clubs, government departments and out-of-home care providers. The scale of that number reflects just how many people’s lives were affected, and how long this was allowed to go on.

The National Redress Scheme exists because of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. It was created to give survivors a formal path to acknowledgement and support. Applications close on 30 June 2027. But the closing date is not the most important thing on this page. The most important thing is that you understand your options, at your own pace, with support available whenever you need it.

Over 12,700 Queensland Institutions Have Joined the Scheme. What Does That Mean?

That number tells a story. Behind every one of those institutions are real people, real childhoods, and real harm that should never have happened. If you experienced abuse within an institution, you are part of a community of survivors far larger than most people realise.

When an institution self-enrolls in the National Redress Scheme, it is formally agreeing that survivors of abuse within that institution can apply to the scheme for redress. Each enrolled institution is listed at nationalredress.gov.au/institutions, where you can search by state and see the time periods each institution has enrolled for.

Self-enrolment does not mean the institution is admitting legal liability. It means the institution has agreed to participate in the scheme’s process, including the possibility of making a direct personal response to survivors.

If the institution responsible for what happened to you has not self-enrolled, we want to say this clearly: that does not mean your options are gone. It means you cannot apply to the scheme in relation to that institution. But a civil legal claim against the institution may still be available to you, and that path does not depend on whether the institution chose to join the scheme. We explain that further below. Whatever you discover when you search that list, there are still people who can help.

What Can the Scheme Offer?

For eligible survivors, the National Redress Scheme can provide three things:

A Redress Payment

A payment of up to $150,000, assessed based on the nature and impact of the abuse. The amount is determined through the scheme’s own assessment process and is not negotiated in the same way as a legal settlement.

Counselling and Psychological Support

Access to counselling and psychological care. You do not need to wait until your application is decided before accessing this support. It is available before, during and after the process.

A Direct Personal Response

A formal response from the institution, which may include an apology, an explanation, or an acknowledgement of what happened. For many survivors, this is as meaningful as any financial outcome.

For more on what the scheme involves and how our team can support you through it, visit our National Redress Scheme page.

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, you generally need to:

• Have experienced sexual abuse as a child (under 18) within an Australian institution
• Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or have been one at the time of the abuse
• Have been abused by an officer of the institution, or on premises under the institution’s control, or through the institution’s activities
• Have been born prior to 30 June 2010
• Have experienced abuse that occurred prior to 1 July 2018
• Be applying before 30 June 2027
• Be applying in relation to an institution that has self-enrolled in the scheme

What About Survivors Who Have Passed Away?

If a survivor passed away after 1 November 2018, certain family members may be able to apply on their behalf in some circumstances. The scheme has specific eligibility rules for deceased survivors. If this applies to your family, seeking legal advice is worth considering given the 2027 deadline.

If You Are Thinking About Applying: What to Know Before June 2027

If you are at a point where you are ready to consider applying, there are a few things worth knowing before you begin.

The process involves describing your experience, which many people find emotionally difficult. There is no expectation that you do it quickly, but there are practical steps involved: confirming whether the institution has self-enrolled, gathering any available records, and in some cases, getting legal advice about whether applying to the scheme or pursuing a separate civil claim better suits your situation.

Applications need to be submitted before 30 June 2027. Those submitted close to the deadline may face processing delays, so if you are feeling ready, starting that process sooner rather than later gives you more breathing room.

One other thing is worth understanding before you apply: accepting a redress payment through the scheme prevents you bringing a civil claim against that same institution for any abuse you suffered at that institution, regardless of whether that abuse is identified in your Redress application. This is a significant decision, and it is not the right choice for everyone. Getting independent legal advice before you accept any offer is always worth considering.

The Application Process: What to Expect

The process is designed to be as accessible as possible, but it does involve sharing your experience. You do not have to do that alone.

Part One: Your Application

The first part asks you to describe your experience, identify the institution involved, and explain how the abuse has affected your life. You can apply online, by phone or on paper. A support person can assist you with the form, and legal support is available throughout the process.

You are not expected to have everything perfect. The scheme assessors will consider all the information you provide and may contact you if they need clarification.

Part Two: The Assessment

Once your application is received, the scheme assesses your eligibility and the likely redress amount. The institution is also given the opportunity to respond. You will then receive an offer, which you can accept, decline or request a review of.

You are not required to accept the first offer. Taking time to understand what is being offered, and getting legal advice before you accept, is worth considering. Accepting an offer through the scheme will affect your ability to bring a separate civil claim against the same institution.

What If You Are Not Ready Before the 2027 Deadline?

Trauma does not follow a schedule. Some survivors reach a point where they feel ready to act within months. For others, it takes years. Decades, sometimes. There is no right timeline, and no one should feel pressured to pursue something before they are ready.

If 30 June 2027 passes and you have not applied, that does not close every door.

In Queensland, childhood sexual abuse claims are not subject to the same limitation periods that apply to most personal injury matters. This means a common law claim against an institution may still be available to you regardless of how long ago the abuse occurred. When you are ready, legal support is available to help you understand what that process involves.

Redress Scheme vs a Civil Claim: What Is the Difference?

The two pathways work differently, and what is right for you depends on your circumstances.

The scheme is an administrative process. It is designed to be accessible, involves set payment amounts up to $150,000, and provides a formal acknowledgement from the institution. It is generally faster and less adversarial than court proceedings. For some survivors, the certainty of the process and the absence of litigation is a meaningful consideration.

A common law claim is a civil legal action against the institution. It can be pursued independently of the scheme, but not if you have already accepted a redress payment. In some circumstances, a civil claim may result in a higher amount, particularly where abuse was severe, long-lasting or has had a significant impact on earning capacity, relationships or daily life. Civil claims can also name individuals, not just institutions.

There is no universal right answer. A lawyer with experience in institutional abuse claims can help you understand which path makes sense for your situation before you commit to either one.

Support Is Available

What happened to you was not your fault, and the weight of it does not have to be carried alone. Many survivors live with the effects of institutional abuse for years, sometimes without ever having spoken about it. Whether you are in crisis right now, or simply having a hard day, the organisations below offer free and confidential support. You do not need to be considering a formal process to reach out to any of them.

• Beyond Blue — 1300 224 636
• Lifeline — 13 11 14
• 1800RESPECT — 1800 737 732
• 13YARN (First Nations crisis support) — 13 92 76
• Full Stop Australia — 1800 385 578 or 1800 211 028
• MensLine Australia — 1300 789 978
• Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467
• National Redress Scheme support line — 1800 737 377

If you have been wondering whether what happened to you counts, it does. You are not alone, and people are ready to listen.

We Are Here When You Are Ready

There is no right time to reach out, and no pressure to do anything before you feel prepared. If you would like to understand what your options look like, whether that is today or much further down the track, our team is here to listen and to help you make sense of what is available to you.

Whenever you feel ready, our team is here. You are welcome to book an obligation free consultation at a time that suits you. The conversation is confidential, there is no obligation to proceed, and we will follow your lead.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the National Redress Scheme close?

The National Redress Scheme closes to new applications on 30 June 2027. If you are not ready before then, a common law claim may still be available to you depending on your circumstances.

When are National Redress Scheme payments expected to be finalised?

The scheme is expected to finalise outstanding payments and close by 30 June 2028. This means applications must be submitted before 30 June 2027 to be processed within the scheme’s timeframe.

What can the National Redress Scheme provide?

If eligible, you may receive a redress payment of up to $150,000, counselling and psychological support, and a direct personal response from the responsible institution.

What does self-enrolment mean for the National Redress Scheme, and what if the institution has not enrolled?

When an institution self-enrolls, it agrees to participate in the scheme’s process, including the possibility of making a direct personal response to survivors. If the institution has not enrolled, you cannot apply to the scheme in relation to that institution. A civil legal claim may still be available to you in that situation, and that path does not depend on whether the institution chose to join the scheme.

Can I apply to the National Redress Scheme without a lawyer?

Yes. You can apply online, by phone or on paper, and a support person can help you with the form. Legal advice is worth considering before you accept any offer, because accepting a redress payment will affect your ability to bring a separate civil claim against the same institution.

Should I get legal advice before I accept a National Redress Scheme offer?

Yes. Accepting an offer through the scheme prevents you bringing a civil claim against that same institution for any abuse you suffered at that institution, regardless of whether that abuse is identified in your Redress application. Getting independent advice before you accept is always worthwhile.

What if I am not ready to apply to the National Redress Scheme before the 2027 deadline?

In Queensland, childhood sexual abuse claims are not subject to the same limitation periods that apply to most personal injury matters. A common law claim may still be available to you when you are ready. There is no pressure to act before you feel prepared to do so.

Where can I get support while I work out what to do?

Several organisations offer free, confidential support. You can reach out to any of these services whether or not you decide to pursue any formal process:

• Beyond Blue — 1300 224 636
• Lifeline — 13 11 14
• 1800RESPECT — 1800 737 732
• 13YARN — 13 92 76
• Full Stop Australia — 1800 385 578 or 1800 211 028
• MensLine Australia — 1300 789 978
• Suicide Call Back Service — 1300 659 467
• National Redress Scheme support line — 1800 737 377

This article was written by the team at AX Compensation Lawyers, personal injury lawyers helping Queenslanders understand their rights after an injury. AX Compensation Lawyers operates across Queensland. General information only. This is not legal advice. Please seek independent legal advice for your specific situation.