Indigenous Australians in WA who were ripped off and made to work for little or no pay have been given more time to lodge their compensation claims under a $180.4 million settlement.

Shine Lawyers, who have been representing about 14,000 people who worked in institutions, on farms and on cattle stations from 1936 and 1972, have been in discussions with the State Government, and this week a court extended the deadline for claims by three months to September 30.

Shine Lawyers’ joint head of class actions Vicky Antzoulatos said that those who had already submitted a registration form before November 14 were now required to register again using a different form.

The law firm had visited over 100 community groups in WA since last November to alert them of the scheme.

Premier Roger Cook has apologised in State Parliament for the “shameful period” in WA’s history.

The settlement amounts to $16,500 for each eligible claimant, with the maximum total figure of $165 million only paid if there are 10,000 or more eligible claimants.

Up to $15.4 million will be paid for some of the applicants’ legal costs.

For eligible workers who are now deceased, the payments will be made to their surviving spouses or children.