The government has announced that redress payments will be exempt from the residential aged care means test and no longer considered an asset for the residential aged care subsidy from next year.
The exemption will be made through data matching so survivors do not have to disclose their abuse again, minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth and Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells said in a joint statement this week.
This change ensures survivors are not financially disadvantaged when accessing aged care services, said Ms Rishworth.
“The National Redress Scheme is in place to provide best possible outcomes for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, including removing unintended adverse impacts of any payment they receive as part of redress,” she said.
“Payments received under the Scheme are already not assessed as income for the purposes of social security or aged care means testing, however if the payment is saved or used to buy other assets, it may be included in the asset test like all other assets.
“We’re making this change to remove payments from any aged care means test to ensure survivors are not financially disadvantaged when the time comes for them to access aged care services.”
It’s a welcome change that follows three years of lobbying from the National Roundtable for Aged and Community Care for Forgotten Australians, said the roundtable’s chair Anne Livingstone.
“This is a major result for many Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers who have experienced enormous stress and disadvantage when receiving redress payments and entering or being in residential care,” Ms Livingstone told Australian Ageing Agenda.
“The redress payments are made to eligible applicants who have experienced childhood institutional sexual abuse and are a recognition of the harm caused to those who experienced abuse. These payments should never have been considered as an asset in the aged care means testing regime and this important announcement addresses the unjust financial treatment of these payments.”
The roundtable has spoken to many disadvantaged individuals over the last three years and collected their stories and concerns over the treatment of redress payments in the aged care system, she said.
This makes the decision significant, said Ms Livingstone, who congratulated the government on today’s announcement.
Changes in “lock-step” with reforms
The improvements to the National Redress Scheme are in lock-step with proposed aged care reforms, said Ms Wells.
“In addition to this important change, all older people, including survivors of child sexual abuse, will have a right to access trauma-aware and healing-informed aged care services under our new Aged Care Bill currently before Parliament.”
This improvement follows the passing of the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment Act 2024 in March resulting from the Australian Government’s Response to the Final Report of the Second Year Review of the National Redress Scheme.
The aged care means test change also comes on National Survivor Day – 12 November – which recognises and commemorates the courage and journeys of survivors of sexual assault and institutional abuse and their supporters across Australia.
Change needed for home care
There are still gaps for older people receiving a Home Care Package, said Ms Livingstone, and the advocacy will continue to ensure changes are made.
“Work will continue from our national group in ensuring that the new Support at Home Program addresses this item as well as assisting the government to ensure all Forgotten Australians and Care Leavers are aware of this new decision.”
Get support
More information about the National Redress Scheme can be accessed via 1800 737 377 or on the Department of Social Services website.
Reading about child sexual abuse can bring up strong feelings. Support is available:
- For 24/7 support you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14; call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732; or 13YARN (13 92 76) for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander crisis support
- Bravehearts supports anyone seeking advice or help related to child sexual abuse and is available Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm
- Blue Knot Foundation provides support and information to adult survivors of childhood trauma including child sexual abuse, their families and friends, and is available Monday-Sunday 9am-5pm
- Visit ChildSafety.gov.au/get-support for a dedicated list of support services.
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I am a Survivor of Childhood Sex Abuse and Rape while in Care, l am 65 and know that I need help but I am scared due to my past experiences with homes, I fear being put in a home and Nobody will Understand why I cannot handle Male Carers, We Need a Gold Card for Medical issues as I have many, Cirosis, kidney disease and Heart disease, I am also a Bleeder who had an Aneurysm/Stroke, my brother died two years ago of Cancer and My Sister took her own life 5yrs ago Please Help Us Older FAs
That was a disappointing offer, I was told to take it as you would refuse my request for at least enough to buy a home, my childhood didn’t mean much to You, it was Taken from me the moment those Nuns put their hands in me