Forced adoption support

There are many services available to support people affected by forced adoption.

Funded support services 

The Australian Government funds 7 organisations to provide coordinated specialist support services across Australia for people affected by forced adoption practices.  

The Forced Adoption Support Services complement existing state and territory services and other national support services. 

These organisations deliver the following specialist support: 

  • 1800 21 03 13 - a national helpline answered locally on weekdays 9 am-5 pm (Calls made from a mobile phone may incur extra costs). This number represents the date of the National Apology for Forced Adoptions. 
  • referrals and information based on individual needs, including casework and face to face support where possible 
  • peer support and group activities 
  • records tracing and assistance with family searching and intermediary services 
  • therapeutic counselling or referral to therapeutic counselling 
  • administering small grants to build sector capacity 
  • enhance group healing activities. 

The Forced Adoption Support Services organisations are in the table below.

State Organisation Locations 
NSW and ACT Relationships Australia - NSW Limited(Opens in a new tab/window)

Relationships Australia Canberra & Region Inc (auspiced by Relationships Australia NSW)(Opens in a new tab/window) 		Sydney, Wagga Wagga, and other outreach locations in NSW, and Canberra, ACT with state/territory-wide phone services 
NT Relationships Australia - Northern Territory Inc(Opens in a new tab/window)Darwin and/ Alice Springs, NT, with territory-wide phone service 
QLD Jigsaw-Queensland Inc(Opens in a new tab/window)Brisbane, QLD with state-wide 
phone service 
SA Relationships Australia - South Australia Limited(Opens in a new tab/window)Adelaide, SA with state-wide 
phone service 
TAS Relationships Australia - Tasmania Limited(Opens in a new tab/window)Hobart, TAS with state-wide 
phone service 
VIC Relationships Australia - Victoria Limited(Opens in a new tab/window)Ballarat, Boronia, Cranbourne, 
Greensborough, Kew, Shepparton, 
Sunshine and Traralgon in Vic with 
State-wide phone services 
WA Relationships Australia (Western Australia) Incorporated(Opens in a new tab/window)Perth, WA with state-wide 
phone service 

Read more about information in the Forced Adoption Support Services - Operational Guidelines.

Find more information on services as grants and funding become available on the DSS Grants Service Directory(Opens in a new tab/window). 

Other support services 

The organisations listed below are for information only. It is up to everyone to identify the services that are most appropriate to their needs. 

General counselling

Below is a list of organisations who may be able to assist with general counselling. This list is not exhaustive. 

Mental health services

Mental health services are available through the Primary Health Networks(Opens in a new tab/window) (PHN). These services are for people with a diagnosed mental disorder. Medicare subsidised services can be accessed through the Better Access initiative(Opens in a new tab/window). 

PHNs also lead mental health and suicide prevention planning at a regional level. PHNs work with relevant services to help people with, or at risk of, mental illness and/or suicide. 

Visit the Department of Health website to find PHN contact details in the  PHN map locator(Opens in a new tab/window). 

Indigenous agencies 

Link-Up Services help Indigenous Australians separated from their families. National contacts are available through the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies(Opens in a new tab/window) website or by calling 1800 624 332. 

Find and Connect

Forgotten Australians, Care Leavers and Former Child Migrants can access Find and Connect Support Services(Opens in a new tab/window). This includes the helpline 1800 16 11 09* and Find and Connect web resource(Opens in a new tab/window).

* Calls made from mobile phones may incur additional costs. If you have a hearing or speech impairment contact the TTY service on 1800 555 677 and ask for 1800 16 11 09. Internet relay users - visit the National Relay Service website(Opens in a new tab/window) and ask for 1800 16 11 09.

Learn more about Find and Connect Support Services.

International

International Social Service Australia(Opens in a new tab/window) provides a family tracing and reunification service. This is for people trying to locate a family member who may have been adopted in another country. Call 1300 657 843. 

State and territory support services 

Support services are also available in each state and territory:

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DSS2379 | Permalink: www.dss.gov.au/node/2379