The Victorian Government has established the scheme to acknowledge the impact of historical forced adoption practices.
The scheme provides financial redress and support to the many mothers who continue to live with the serious, complex and ongoing effects of their experience of forced separation.
Establishment of the scheme delivers on a key recommendation of the Inquiry into Responses to Historical Forced Adoptions in Victoria.
We recognise the many mothers and adopted people who bravely shared their personal experiences through submissions to this Inquiry.
How the scheme can help you
The scheme is open to mothers who gave birth in Victoria, or were a Victorian resident but gave birth interstate, and who were forcibly separated from their newborn babies prior to 1990.
You can also apply to this scheme if you received funding through the Forced Adoption Exceptional Circumstances Fund (ECF).
Redress outcomes provided by the scheme include a one-off financial payment of $30,000. The scheme also offers access to counselling and psychological support, and apology processes.
Our support team is available to guide you through the application process, answer questions, and assist you with any supporting information that may be required.
Apply to the scheme
The scheme is open for applications.
To apply to the scheme you can:
- download the application form
- contact us to have a paper form sent to you.
If you have difficulty downloading the form please contact us.
Providing this information may be difficult. If you require support with your application, please contact us to discuss how we can help you.
It is important to be aware you do not need a lawyer to apply to the scheme.
You can only make one application to the scheme.
The scheme cannot accept applications on behalf of mothers who have passed away.
Nominate someone to help you
You can nominate a trusted person to act on your behalf and help you with your application to the scheme. Download the nominee form.
You can return your completed form or forms by email to forcedadoptions.redress@justice.vic.gov.au
Submit a paper application
If you would prefer a paper application form, our support team can post one to you. Please call the scheme on 1300 217 425 to request this.
Please send the completed form to:
Historical Forced Adoptions Redress Scheme
Department of Justice and Community Safety
PO Box 18217
Collins Street East VIC 8003
Your next steps
Once we have received your application form, our support team will contact you to confirm your application has been received. They will guide you through the application process and talk with you about any information or documents that may be required.
We aim to process applications and redress payments within reasonable timeframes.
We will not ask you to sign a waiver to accept a redress offer from the scheme and you will not be restricted in your right to pursue legal avenues.
Contact us
The scheme is administered by the Department of Justice and Community Safety and is independent of any institutions that were involved in forced adoption practices.
Phone:
1300 217 425 9 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)
Email:
forcedadoptions.redress@justice.vic.gov.au
Mail:
Historical Forced Adoptions Redress Scheme
Department of Justice and Community Safety
PO Box 18217
Collins Street East VIC 8003
Privacy
Your privacy will always be protected in line with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic)
The terms we use
The Victorian Government acknowledges the term ‘forced adoption’ may not resonate with all mothers. Not all mothers’ experiences of past policies and practices resulted in adoption. As this term was used in the Inquiry, it is used to refer to forced separation practices that the Inquiry and scheme cover.
The scheme uses the term ‘mothers’ to refer to its applicants to mirror the language that was used in the Inquiry. The Victorian Government acknowledges that some applicants may not identify with this term.
We recognise that people of diverse backgrounds and gender identities give birth. This scheme is open to people of all identities, if they gave birth to a baby they were forcibly separated from.
Support services
- VANISH
Telephone: 1300 826 474
Email: info@vanish.org.au - Link-up
Telephone: 03 9287 8800
Email: linkup@vacca.org(opens in a new window) - Relationships Australia Victoria
Telephone: 1800 210 313
Email: fass@rav.org.au(opens in a new window) - Lifeline
Telephone: 13 11 14 - Beyond Blue
Telephone: 1300 224 636 - Suicide Call Back Service
Telephone: 1300 659 467
Historical forced adoption in Victoria
Forced adoption refers to past practices that forcibly separated mothers and their babies.
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