Where To Turn

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AFA is an alliance of existing groups and individuals supporting people who were raised in institutional and other out-of-home care in Australia in the 20th century. Its aim is to promote the needs of Forgotten Australians through cooperative advocacy and projects. To learn more about AFA's aims, priorities and endeavours please visit the following link.
Click this link to visit the page About AFA.

AFA predominantly aims to promote the needs of Forgotten Australians through cooperative advocacy and projects. AFA does not provide a direct support service to Forgotten Australians - however a number of Support Groups do assist directly.
Click this link to find out about where to find help.

Updates - Redress Schemes

Tasmanian Government re-opens Redress scheme - closed
In 2003, the Tasmanian Ombudsman conducted a review into claims of abuse in care. A redress scheme was opened in 2005 and closed mid 2007. The Government has reopened the scheme.

Western Australia Redress scheme - closed April 2009
In December 2007, the former Western Australian Government announced the $114 million Redress WA Scheme for those who were abused and/or neglected in State care in Western Australia.

Queensland Redress scheme - closed 2009
The Queensland Government created a redress scheme in response to the Forde Inquiry into institutional care of children was held in 1998-99. Eligible applicants received an ex gratia payment, ranging from $7,000 up to $40,000

South Australia - No Redress To Date
The SA Government conducted an inquiry into sexual abuse and deaths in State care known as the Mullighan report. SA has not announced their intentions, however a Redress Taskforce has been established to investigate options of a redress scheme.

New South Wales - No Redress To Date
NSW Government refuses to either conduct an inquiry into past abuse of children in state care nor set up a redress scheme.

Victoria - No Redress To Date
The Victorian Government's view is that survivors of state care should be seen on a case by case basis- meaning care leavers have to go through the court system and relive their abuse and trauma. Given the abuse occurred decades ago, there are issues around the statute of limitations that make this course prohibitive for the majority.

UK Government support package for former Child Migrants

Search for Records

Are you a former Ward?

If you grew up in a state or church institution or were in foster care, you may have been a State Ward. This New South Wales Community Services Centre website outlines the steps you can take to find out more about your personal history or find members of your family if you live in NSW.

Pathways

Historical resources who experience out of home 'care' in Victoria. Pathways brings together information about 'care' in Victoria from the 1840's to the present.

Child Migrant Records Access

This guide provides details on the access regime in place for each Archive and outlines the procedures a researcher needs to follow to gain access to the records.  In some jurisdictions, the Archive controls access to the records which may be restricted or closed until they are of a certain age (eg 30 years or longer).  In other jurisdictions, the Archive acts as the custodian of the records and applicants need to contact the agency that created the records or has responsibility for them directly to apply for access.

PHIND - the Personal History INDex

Coming Soon

Forgotten Australians information booklet available

In 2008 AFA produced a booklet which has released 90,000 copies. It is informative and useful for Forgotten Australians and those who work, interact with or relate to them.

This booklet can be viewed by clicking the following link which will download the booklet in PDF format - Forgotten Australian's Booklet.pdf (238kb).

You can also receive a free copy of this booklet by post or order a box for distribution. To place your order click this link to our Contact Us page and provide us with the details for your request.

Policy, Reports and Recommendations

To view useful research, policy and Reports (such as the Lost Innocents, and Forgotten Australians Reports), Senate Inquiry information and reviews about Forgotten Australians, you will find the following useful.
Click to view the page about Research

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