Historical forced adoptions redress scheme - open for applications

Were you separated from your baby through forced adoption?

The Victorian Government has established a redress scheme to acknowledge the impact of historical forced adoption practices on mothers who continue to live with the serious, complex and ongoing effects of forced separation from their babies.

The scheme has been open since 2024 and is taking applications until 31 January 2028.

The Historical Forced Adoptions Redress Scheme provides a one-off payment of $30,000, access to counselling and support as well as an apology process.

The Scheme is open to mothers who gave birth in Victoria, or were Victorian residents who gave birth interstate, and who were forcibly separated from their newborn babies soon after birth, prior to 1990.

Forced adoption refers to institutional past practices that separated mothers and their babies, where women were forced, pressured or coerced to give up their babies.

A support team is available to guide you through the application process, answer questions, and assist you with any supporting information that may be required. To find out if you are eligible or to talk about your options:

• call 1300 217 425 (9:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday to Friday)

• visit https://www.vic.gov.au/redress-forced-adoptions

• or email forcedadoptions.redress@justice.vic.gov.au

Other Support Services

VANISH - Telephone: 1300 826 474 Email: info@vanish.org.au

Link-up - Telephone: 03 9287 8800 Email: linkup@vacca.org

Relationships Australia Victoria - Telephone: 1800 210 313 Email: fass@rav.org.au

Lifeline -Telephone: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue - Telephone: 1300 224 636

Suicide Call Back Service - Telephone: 1300 659 467