Western Australia has finally signed up to the national redress scheme for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, with the state's attorney-general saying the federal government had satisfied all concerns.
As the last state to sign up to the scheme, attorney-general John Quigley said he did so for the right reasons so sticking points, especially relating to child migrants brought out from the UK, could be addressed.
"Where (the federal government) first disavowed responsibility, they now accept to pay 50 per cent. This will save Western Australia tens of millions of dollars," Mr Quigley told reporters on Wednesday.
He also negotiated discretionary power to consider eligibility of victims who had criminal convictions, paving the way for his counterparts in other jurisdictions.
Survivor John Ryall said that was important and the WA government had been forerunners.
"They should be recompensed because they were told they were going to be criminals, they were told they were ratbags, like I was," Mr Ryall said to reporters on Wednesday.
"It took a long time to actually get that thought out of my head - many people have never been able to get that recovery - because of the cruel, malicious indoctrination."
The WA government was the first in the nation to formally apologise to survivors, in parliament on Wednesday afternoon.
Mr Ryall said that was a turning point because it meant survivors were believed.
"The recognition is wonderful," he said.
A state legislative amendment that removes the limitation period for civil actions by victims will be proclaimed on Sunday, Mr Quigley also announced.
That will leave survivors with the option of pursuing civil litigation or seeking compensation through the redress scheme.
Mr Ryall said cash would help as he had never been able to earn big money because of his lack of education due to the abuse.
It also left him a recovering alcoholic.
The scheme and the civil litigation is expected to cost the state around $650 million, but Premier Mark McGowan said it was hard to estimate.
WA previously ran its own redress scheme for children who were abused and/or neglected while in the care of the state and an ex-gratia scheme for those who suffered at country hostels, which paid out a combined $120 million.
Mr Quigley said survivors who had already accessed those schemes would be able to apply for more through the national redress program, capped at $150,000 and including what they've already received.
Mr Ryall said he was still a practising Catholic "because I believe that God didn't do this but a lot of sick people in God's name did this".
"There will always be pedophiles in institutions - it's what management do with them, whether they're archbishops, in government institutions or whatever."
The WA government gave its commitment to join earlier this month but has been getting the matter through cabinet in the meantime.
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