On Monday 8 December 2025, the Minister for Social Services, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, chaired a meeting of the Ministers’ Redress Scheme Governance Board (Board). The Board includes Ministers (or their representative) responsible for the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (Scheme) in each state or territory.
Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to supporting justice, acknowledgement, and healing for survivors through the National Redress Scheme.
Scheme update
Ministers received an update on Scheme operations. They acknowledged the number of survivors seeking redress has exceeded the applications projected by the Royal Commission into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, and that further Scheme improvements are needed to ensure timely outcomes are received for survivors.
Ministers noted additional Australian Government investment into the Scheme that is having an impact, with more than $230 million invested in 42 Redress Support Services to help survivors with emotional and practical supports and help to complete their applications. The Scheme has also appointed additional Independent Decision Makers to increase consistency and speed of redress decisions for survivors. These investments have helped reduce wait times and improve access to trauma-informed support for survivors.
Ministers received an update on the ANAO audit into the National Redress Scheme and that the Department for Social Services has agreed to all recommendations in the ANAO report. Ministers also discussed the Joint Standing Committee’s report, Redress: Journey to Justice and the new Joint Standing Committee inquiry due to report in 2026.
Working with Children Checks
Ministers noted work underway nationally to strengthen Working With Children Check (WWCC) and acknowledged the importance of all governments working together to ensure children are safe and protected. Ministers agreed to continue to prioritise child safety in the administration of the Scheme.
To further strengthen this approach and following agreed reform by the Standing Council of Attorneys-General, Ministers agreed that the Scheme will provide appropriate information to both police and Working with Children Check screening units, when requested by a state or territory. These changes aim to prevent harm while ensuring sensitive information is handled with the utmost care of the survivors’ privacy and in line with legislative protections.
Claim Farming
Ministers discussed concerns raised by survivors and advocacy groups about claim farming and sharp practices, either through civil claims, class actions or Redress applications. Ministers agreed these practices targeting some of the most vulnerable members of our community needs to stop.
Ministers acknowledged the need for strong protections for survivors and noted steps already taken by states and territories to deter and mitigate these practices. The Board agreed to explore further measures to safeguard survivors from these practices, both now and after the Scheme closes.
Scheme Closure
Ministers discussed the legislated closure of the Scheme to new applications in June 2027 and the Scheme legislated end date in 2028. Ministers discussed the importance of clear and consistent communication with survivors, jurisdictions, participating institutions, and service providers will be a priority. Ministers agreed delivering timely outcomes for survivors remains central to this process.
Ministers acknowledged the upcoming Eighth Anniversary Review as a significant milestone. The Review will begin on 1 July 2026 and will prioritise survivor voices and experiences to inform how the Scheme has operated, identify lessons for future policy, and consider enduring support for survivors. Ministers also recognised the importance of the continuity of these supports after the Scheme closes.
Future meetings
As the Scheme approaches its final years, Ministers agreed to increase engagement through more frequent Board meetings in 2026.
