Support

This service is free to call from all states and territories on 1800 16 11 09. They provide specialist trauma informed counselling, referral services, peer support, education and social support programs. Services also provide assistance to locate and access records and reconnect with family members (where possible). There is a Find & Connect support service in every state and territory. See below for more information about state specific services.

Free to call from all states and territories on 1800 008 774, CLAN offers support to people who have grown up in Orphanages, Children’s Homes, Missions and Foster Care in Australia and New Zealand, or whose parents or other family members had this experience. You do not need to be a member of CLAN to use its counselling service.

Link-Up is an organisation focused on supporting the Stolen Generations. It also provides services to subsequent generations of family members who have been affected by intergenerational trauma related to removal. There are Link-Up services in most Australian States and Territories.

The Child Migrants Trust provides a range of, specialised services to Britain’s former Child Migrants including; family restoration, document retrieval (including birth certificates), family research, counselling and assisting former Child Migrants to apply for citizenship. The Trust provides a skilled and sensitive service based on principles of confidentiality and professional ethics, employing well qualified and experienced Social Workers to perform the delicate task of counselling and making contact with relatives.

Relationships Australia Canberra and Region provides support to people throughout the ACT, in the NSW Riverina, the far south coast of NSW and surrounding regions. Services are available to all who need support, regardless of income, age, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, gender or cultural background. Various supports are available ​including: Find & Connect services for Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants, National Redress Scheme support as well as a specialised support service for those affected by forced adoptions.

Wattle Place offers free specialist services, each offering tailored support to people impacted by: placement in institutional or foster care prior to 1990, those affected by forced adoption; people who experienced State care in NSW after 1990 and who are 26 or over; and those who are thinking of, or who are currently applying to the National Redress Scheme. Assistance is available in person, over the phone, online, or working together with other services. Wattle Place is able to assist eligible people living anywhere in Australia.

Relationships Australia Northern Territory offers specialised support services for Care Leavers including free support for people considering an application to the National Redress Scheme.

Lotus Place is a dedicated support service and resource centre for people who experienced abuse in an institutional setting including out-of-home care. Lotus Place focuses on helping each person to fulfill their potential and to access justice and healing from the effects of childhood abuse. Services include: access to information and resources, advocacy, support, and providing a space where Care Leavers can make connections with others who have shared experiences of childhood.

Elm Place offers free support services to people whose lives have been affected by institutional and out-of-home care as children, specifically: Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants, the Stolen Generations and people affected by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Services available at Elm Place include Post Care Support Services, Find & Connect Support Services and Redress Support Services.

Relationships Australia Tasmania provides Find & Connect Support Services state-wide. If you spent time in a children’s home or institution, were a ward of the state or placed in foster care before the end of 1989 the Find & Connect support service may be able to assist you. Services include: accessing personalised support and counselling; where possible, obtaining your personal records, trace your history and understand why you were placed into care; connecting with other services and support networks that may assist you at this time in your life; reconnecting with family, where possible; and connecting with other Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants through drop-in centres and newsletters.

Open Place is a support and advocacy service that co-ordinates and provides direct assistance to address the needs of Australians who grew up in Victorian orphanages and homes during the last century. Open Place helps people who identify as Forgotten Australians to deal with the legacy of their childhood experiences and provide support to improve their health and well-being. Support services include: personal support, assistance accessing specialist services, financial assistance and individual advocacy.

From its location at Lanterns House, Relationships Australia WA offers Find & Connect support services at to help Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants uncover their history, trace and reclaim their identities, help build relationships with their families and come to terms with their past. Personalised support and counselling is offered in a respectful and understanding environment.

Tuart Place is a resource service for people who have been in out of home care in Western Australia. It is located in Fremantle, Western Australia. Tuart Place provides a range of services including: counselling and support groups; help with the National Redress Scheme and other abuse claims; phone outreach; a drop-in centre; supported access to records and family tracing; computer and IT assistance; and social activities. Freecall on 1800 619 795 or visit the Tuart Place website via the link below for other contact information.

1800RESPECT is the national counselling service for sexual assault, domestic or family violence. The qualified counsellors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by phone and web chat.

Call 1800 737 732 or web chat via the website

Free counselling service available on 1800 657 380.

Free call, 24-hour service for all states and territories on 13 11 14.

1300 22 4636

1800 650 890

1800 650 890