The National Redress Scheme will provide applicants (survivors) the opportunity to access a monetary payment, counselling and other support which is designed to help them heal.

The Scheme is intended as a simpler and more streamlined alternative to the court system.

Recognising that revisiting the events of the past may be distressing for people, community-based support services will be available for people who apply for the Scheme.

The Scheme will also provide access to free specialist Legal Support Services and counselling services.

Scouts Australia, and each Branch, have been consulted extensively in the development of the National Redress Scheme by both the Minister for Social Services and the Redress Taskforce.

 Scouts Australia also appeared before the Senate Inquiry for the National Redress Scheme, and provided a submission.

Prior to that, Scouts Australia appeared before the Royal Commission and took part in consultative meetings with the Commissioners.

Scouts Australia has been consistently planning to set aside an appropriate amount for the financial component of Redress.

As a community organisation which relies on membership fees paid by families as a main source of its operational income, Scouts is committed to ensure that the sustainability of our organisation is maintained for modern Scouting and community activities.

Scouts Australia is confident that we have in place financial plans to support redress funding.

For some, no amount of money will ever be enough to heal the pain and suffering that they have endured. Scouts Australia is committed to ensuring that applicants (survivors) are heard, feel like they have been heard, and acknowledged.

We are committed to this and support the provision of therapeutic counselling along with other support, and a financial amount to those who apply to the Redress Scheme.

Scouts Australia is made up of nine separate legal entities. However, we recognise that the organisation is understood by many to operate as a single entity in the community.

Whilst the Scheme Operator, the Department of Social Services, will be dealing directly with the individual Branches, Scouts will align internal operations so that we function consistently across the organisation for the purposes of redress.

Scouts Australia released its public apology to survivors on Friday, the 5th of October 2018.  It can be viewed here.

Some applicants may also wish to have a direct personal response (apology) from Scouts Australia which is available through the National Redress Scheme.

Scouts Australia places child safety as its top priority and we have a zero tolerance of abuse of any kind.

All our Branches have rigorous policies and procedures in place to keep children safe at all times.  This is in addition to our National Child Protection Policy, which was developed in conjunction with Child Wise, a leading child protection authority.

All Adult Leaders must undertake working with children checks and undergo specific child protection training which must be updated every three years.

Any allegations of abuse are immediately reported to the Police.

The National Redress Scheme is operated by the Australian Government, so applications are made directly to the Scheme.  For more information call the National Redress Scheme on 1800 737 377 Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm local time (excluding public holidays) or visit www.nationalredress.gov.au.