Forced adoption support
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 210 313 - a national helpline answered locally on weekdays 9 am to 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 Relationships Australia Canberra & Region Inc (auspiced by Relationships Australia NSW) | Sydney, Wagga Wagga, and other outreach locations in NSW, and Canberra, ACT with state/territory-wide phone services |
| NT | Relationships Australia - Northern Territory Inc | Darwin and/ Alice Springs, NT, with territory-wide phone service |
| QLD | Jigsaw-Queensland Inc | Brisbane, QLD with state-wide phone service |
| SA | Relationships Australia - South Australia Limited | Adelaide, SA with state-wide phone service |
| TAS | Relationships Australia - Tasmania Limited | Hobart, TAS with state-wide phone service |
| VIC | Relationships Australia - Victoria Limited | Ballarat, Boronia, Cranbourne, Greensborough, Kew, Shepparton, Sunshine and Traralgon in Vic with State-wide phone services |
| WA | Relationships Australia (Western Australia) Incorporated | 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.
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.
- Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24-hour crisis support service)
- Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636
- Mensline – 1300 789 978
- Relationships Australia – 1300 364 277
Mental health services
Mental health services are available through the Primary Health Networks (PHN). These services are for people with a diagnosed mental disorder. Medicare subsidised services can be accessed through the Better Access initiative.
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.
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 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. This includes the helpline 1800 161 109* and Find and Connect web resource.
* 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 1 109. Internet relay users - visit the National Relay Service website and ask for 1800 16 1 109.
Learn more about Find and Connect Support Services.
International
International Social Service Australia 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: