Finity Consulting Pty Ltd carried out modelling based on 65,000 eligible survivors and average $65,000 payments on behalf of the Royal Commission into Institutionalised Child Sexual Abuse.

Based on these figures, Ballarat’s victims – which so far number about 110 – could receive more than $7 million.

Commission chairman Justice Peter McClellan said any such scheme would be jointly funded by government and institution contributions.

The commission on Friday launched its consultation paper on redress and civil litigation in Sydney.

“Many survivors have a pressing need for assistance, including effective and just redress,” Justice McClellan said. “For these reasons, the commissioners accepted that we should consider the issue of redress and make final recommendations in relation to it as soon as possible.”

He said the paper showed effective redress needed three elements – a personal institution response to the survivor, guaranteed counselling and psychological care funding and money paid in recognition of the wrong done to the individual. It also sets out options for the scheme’s formation and management.

“Many people prefer a single national scheme administered by the Australian government.

“Institutions would contribute to the funding of the scheme in accordance with their responsibility to individual survivors and, in addition, would meet their relative proportion of the costs of the scheme’s administration.

“An alternative considered in the paper is to provide individual state- and territory-based schemes which are administered in accordance with common national principles.”

Justice McClellan said the redress costs would be spread over a number of years, with the maximum given out in any one year $650 million.

Various cap options, such as $100,000, $150,000 or $200,000, would also be examined.

“I stress that no one should assume the commissioners have a final view on any issue.

“We are seeking submissions which will help us to establish our views and provide recommendations which are just, practical and affordable.”

A final report on the issue will be released mid-year.

To make a submission, email redress@childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au by midday on Monday, March 2.

A short online form can also be filled out on the website, which also features the consultation paper, at childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/redress

fiona.henderson@fairfaxmedia.com.au