While these amounts are taken into account when compensation is calculated, they are subtracted from the lump sum before the money reaches survivors' bank accounts.
Richard Turner, a child abuse survivor, believes the system should instead be streamlined.
Mr Turner had to repay more than $90,000 to his private health insurance, relating to three stays at a mental health clinic during his criminal and civil proceedings.
"The view is that they have already compensated you enough in your settlement, but that's a fallacy," he said.
"This money represents my abuse, [it] made me feel sick.
"Knowing that they'd also taken money from me, surely I can't be the only one that feels that way, and it needs to change."
Mr Turner believes the system should be streamlined, and any repayments should be accounted for early in the process so that survivors can plan for the full amount they will receive.
"The civil compensation journey is really quite long and arduous, to have a system where they also take another bite at the cherry, there's no such word as closure," he said.
The Department of Social Services says the federal government is committed to ensuring the National Redress Scheme is reflective of the needs of survivors.