Justice Peter McClelland made the announcement during a speech last week which dealt with the issues of redress and justice for victims, as well as detailing what lies ahead for the commissioners.

The commission, which began two years ago, will table its final report by December 2017 and Justice McClelland stressed the need to cover as much of Australia as possible in that time.

“The commissioners have throughout our work been conscious of the need to engage with people in regional areas,” he said.

“Apart from many people who we have assisted to travel for a private session in a city, the commissioners have spoken with many people by telephone. 

“We have now conducted private sessions in the regional centres of Rockhampton, Woorabinda, Launceston, Cairns, the Kimberley, Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo and Coffs Harbour. 

“In the first half of 2015, we have programmed private sessions, including some return visits, in the regional centres of Lismore, Newcastle, Townsville, Launceston, Cairns, Warrnambool, Shepparton and the Tiwi Islands.”

There will also be a public hearing in Ballarat in May.

Last month, child abuse survivors from the south-west called on the royal commission to stage a hearing in the region to allow them to tell their stories.