What is the difference between rapid payment assessment and individualised claim assessment?

The rapid payment option is fast, but does not fully assess what happened

The claims of survivors who are at high risk of dying or suicide will be are prioritised.

The rapid payment option means you receive a payment based on how long you were involved with the government organisation responsible for your guardianship or care.  

The more time you were involved with the organisation, the larger the payment you get. The payment range for a rapid payment assessment is between $10,000 and $30,000.

You may receive additional payments if:  

• you were in a place where serious abuse is known to have happened  
• you were in a certain type of placement on or after 25 September 1990
• you were inappropriately detained (for example, being held in a secure unit). 

Learn more about the rapid payment optionopen_in_new. 

The total payment, including any additional payments, can be up to $30,000.

An individualised claim assessment is a more detailed look into your experiences  

This option will take longer than the rapid payment option because Historic Claims assesses what happened to you. 

This includes:  

• reading your records from when you were in the care of the government organisation 
• asking you to share your experiences with them.

You can share your experiences with Historic Claims by phone, video, in writing or in person.  Or your lawyer can do this on your behalf.

If you decide to do it in person, you can choose where and when to meet. You can also bring support people with you. 

Making a claim and talking about your experiences can bring up a range of emotions. Find out about support you can get during this time. 

Historic Claims will then talk to you about what they will offer. This could be an apology and/or a payment of money and of your reasonable legal fees. 

Learn more about the individualised assessment optionopen_in_new.