More churches join abuse redress scheme

A number of Catholic, Anglican and Baptist bodies have joined the national redress scheme, paving the way for payments and services to be provided to more abuse survivors.

To date, the commonwealth, all state and territory governments and 67 non-government organisations covering more than 41,900 sites, such as churches, schools, homes, charities and community groups, across Australia have joined the scheme.

Federal families minister Anne Ruston announced on Thursday another 550 sites had joined the scheme, reducing to 12 per cent the proportion of redress applications on hold because institutions had not joined.

New to the scheme are the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, as well as sites falling under the Anglican Church of Australia, Baptist Churches of Western Australia, and the Baptist Church of Victoria.

As well, the Queensland government has agreed to be a funder of last resort for Beemar Yumba Maud Phillips Memorial Children's Shelter, Beulah Homes, OPAL House and OPAL Joyce Wilding Home.