National Redress Scheme faces 30,000-case backlog before 2028 closure

The National Redress Scheme holds a backlog of 30,000 applications and is not expected to clear them before its legislated closure on July 1, 2028, at its current processing rate. Applications close on July 1, 2027. The scheme was established to provide financial compensation and institutional acknowledgement to survivors of institutional child sexual abuse.

Processing rates and projections The Department of Social Services reported an average of 993 applications resolved per month so far this year, up from 643 per month in the prior five-month period. Even at the higher rate, the department projects it would finish the existing backlog six months after the scheme closes.

An additional 1,500 applications per month are expected over the next year. The department also noted 9,726 claims currently on hold pending further information or criminal-conviction assessments.

Calls for extension Knowmore CEO Jackie Mead said the scheme cannot process all pending applications without an extension. Griffith University criminologist Kathleen Daly projected that even optimistic scenarios would leave cases unresolved until at least 2032.

Greens Senator David Shoebridge and Liberal Senator Dean Smith both expressed concern during a Senate inquiry that the government has not presented a plan to meet the deadline. Department of Social Services Secretary Michael Lye said new processes and the recruitment of 15 additional independent decision makers, underway since May, are intended to shorten wait times.

The federal government allocated $11.5 million to Knowmore and $15.7 million to other redress support services in last year's budget.