Increase Font Size Decrease Font Size Eligibility and payment

Money cannot make up for the abuse some people suffered in State care. However, the experience of abuse may have resulted in missed opportunities in life together with emotional pain and suffering. It is appropriate therefore, that some ex gratia payment is made available.

Find out about:

Who is eligible to apply?
Who is not eligible to apply?
How much will eligible applicants be entitled to?
How will applications be assessed?

Who is eligible to apply?

Adults who, as children, were abused in State care, including Child Migrants and Stolen Generation children, prior to 1 March 2006 are eligible to apply to Redress WA.

State care includes those facilities that were subsidised, monitored, registered or approved by the State Government such as:

  • foster homes or other residential settings
  • institutional settings such as group homes, hostels or orphanages.

Individuals who have already received ex gratia payments from non-government organisations (for example churches) may also apply to Redress WA.

Who is not eligible to apply?

  • Individuals who have received damages from a court or a settlement as a result of abuse and injuries described in the application for Redress WA from the State Government.
  • Relatives of deceased persons, or the estate of deceased persons, who were in State care.

How much will eligible applicants be entitled to?

Individuals may apply to Redress WA and eligible applicants may be entitled to receive:

  • up to $10 000 if they can demonstrate they experienced abuse while in State care

    OR

  • up to a maximum of $80 000 where there is medical and/or psychological evidence of loss or injury resulting from abuse.

The ex gratia payment is based on the severity and impact of the abuse suffered. Assessors will review all applications, and if successful, will determine which option is suitable based on the evidence available.

Eligibility criteria

Option 1: an ex gratia payment of up to $10 000.

To be eligible you must:

  • be over 18 years of age OR be the guardian of a person aged over 18 years with a legal disability (e.g. intellectual disability)
  • be able to show reasonable likelihood that you have experienced abuse and/or neglect while in State care, either institutional or non-institutional.

Option 2: an ex gratia payment of up to $80 000.

To be eligible you must:

  • be over 18 years of age OR be the guardian of a person aged over 18 years with a legal disability (e.g. intellectual disability)
  • provide medical and/or psychological evidence that you have been abused and/or neglected while in State care, either institutional or non-institutional.

How will applications be assessed?

The ex gratia payment is based on the severity and impact of the abuse and/or neglect suffered.

All applications must be lodged between 1 May 2008 and 30 April 2009.

Following the closing date (30 April 2009) for receipt of applications, assessors will review all applications.

If you have any questions regarding Redress WA please go to Frequently asked questions.