*Disclaimer: This article discusses the National Redress Scheme and includes references to institutional child sexual abuse. Some readers may find this content distressing. 

On 1 July 2018, the Australian Government established the National Redress Scheme (NRS) / (Scheme) to provide a pathway for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse to obtain redress, including a monetary payment, access to counselling and psychological care and a direct personal response from responsible institutions. The NRS was established in response to recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. 

Under the current legislative framework, the NRS is scheduled to close to most new applications on 30 June 2027 and to sunset on 30 June 2028. However, significant processing delays and an ongoing parliamentary inquiry mean institutions should remain alert to the possibility of legislative or policy change.  

The NRS is presently scheduled to stop accepting most new applications on 30 June 2027 and to cease on 30 June 2028, being the tenth anniversary of the Scheme. The Operator may accept an application during the final year of the Scheme in exceptional circumstances.  

As at February 2026, the NRS has published that 74,174 applications had been received, and that of these about 60% (43,978 applications) are unresolved (see National Redress Scheme - Scheme Data February 2026). Those figures demonstrate the scale of the task facing the Scheme as the current application deadline approaches.  

Whether the NRS will be extended remains a live policy question. The Joint Standing Committee on Implementation of the NRS is currently conducting its Inquiry into the Continuing Operation of the National Redress Scheme (Inquiry). The terms of reference include consideration of the Scheme's operational timeline and the potential for that timeline to be extended. 

Submissions closed on 6 February 2026 and public hearings have since been held. Any report and subsequent Government response may affect the future operation of the Scheme and be significant for both survivors and institutions. 

The National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Act 2018 (Cth) (Act) already allows new applications in "exceptional circumstances" after the 30 June 2027 cut-off date. 

Sub-section 20(1)(e) of the Act is clear that new applications cannot be made "in the period of 12 months before the Scheme sunset day" i.e. from 1 July 2027 until the closure of the NRS on 30 June 2028. However, sub-section 20(2) of the Act states sub-section 20(1)(e) "does not apply if the Operator determines there are exceptional circumstances justifying the application being made."  

In brief, the Act provides that in the event of "exceptional circumstances", of which no examples are provided, the Operator may permit a person to apply during the final year of the Scheme in exceptional circumstances, provided the application is made during the final year and the person has contacted the Operator before applying.  

Whether the NRS ultimately concludes on its presently scheduled timetable remains to be seen. What is clear is that institutions should not assume that the approaching application deadline marks the end of their redress-related obligations. Ongoing scrutiny of the Scheme, coupled with the substantial number of unresolved applications, means that preparedness and continued vigilance remain prudent. 

If your institution participates in the National Redress Scheme and you would like to understand the potential implications of any extension or reform, please contact our Institutional Risk & Liability team.