# Forgotten Australians Forgotten Australians, formally known as the Alliance for Forgotten Australians (AFA), is a national organisation representing an estimated 500,000 individuals who spent part of their childhood in institutional or out‑of‑home care in Australia before 1989. These individuals—often referred to as Forgotten Australians—include those who lived in children’s homes, orphanages, training schools, foster placements and asylums. AFA’s mission is to ensure their experiences are recognised, their voices heard and their rights and dignity upheld. Established in 2006 following a Senate Inquiry into institutional care, AFA brings together Forgotten Australians and supporters to advocate for policy reform, recognition, and access to appropriate services. The organisation was launched in 2007 at Parliament House by Senator Andrew Murray, a former child migrant. Since inception, AFA has been central to national advocacy efforts, including calls for redress schemes, trauma‑informed care, aged care reform and social housing access. It operates with a national reach while maintaining close partnerships with the Find & Connect Support Services and other regional support organisations. AFA received initial funding of $100,000 from the Commonwealth Government and, following the 2009 National Apology, began receiving annual core funding of $150,000 from the Australian Department of Social Services. This funding, indexed to CPI, is scheduled to conclude in June 2026. AFA’s defining strength lies in its governance structure, led by a majority of Forgotten Australians, ensuring that advocacy, research and national policymaking are firmly guided by lived experience. --- ## Core Products & Services ### Advocacy and Representation - **What it does:** Advocates for justice, acknowledgement and policy reform for Forgotten Australians. - **Who uses it:** Forgotten Australians, Former Child Migrants and their families. - **Key features:** National advocacy campaigns; development of submissions to government inquiries and Royal Commissions; promotion of redress and trauma‑informed services; public education initiatives; coordination of remembrance activities. ### Find & Connect Support Services - **What it does:** Provides trauma‑informed counselling, records assistance, family reconnection and peer support. - **Who uses it:** Forgotten Australians, Care Leavers and Former Child Migrants seeking support and records access. - **Key features:** Counselling, referral, peer programs, social supports, assistance locating personal records, and family tracing. It operates through state‑specific hubs such as Lotus Place (Queensland), Wattle Place (New South Wales) and Open Place (Victoria). ### AFA Voice Newsletter - **What it does:** Keeps members, supporters and sector professionals updated on AFA’s work and campaigns. - **Who uses it:** Forgotten Australians, government agencies, advocacy organisations, allied professionals. - **Key features:** Quarterly publication covering advocacy outcomes, news, and educational resources. ### Resources & Publications - **What it does:** Provides accessible materials for Forgotten Australians and professionals. - **Who uses it:** Forgotten Australians, health and social care practitioners, educators, and policymakers. - **Key features:** Collections include survivor stories, newsletters, research studies, guides and memorial listings. Reports and projects include *Life Stories*, *Aged Care Information Packages*, and collaborations with universities on housing and long‑term wellbeing. ### Events and Forums - **What it does:** Offers opportunities for collaboration, consultation, and public awareness. - **Who uses it:** Forgotten Australians, care providers, policymakers, and advocacy partners. - **Key features:** National and local events such as Aged Care Act consultations, webinars on high‑quality care standards, Blue Knot survivor workshops, and National Child Protection Week activities. --- ## Use Cases & Applications ### Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants - **Their needs:** Access to trauma‑informed counselling, personal records, acknowledgment of abuse, and connection to family and community supports. - **How they use it:** Engage through regional Find & Connect Services for counselling, social support, and advocacy. Participate in AFA programs, events, and campaigns for justice and remembrance. - **Results:** Improved access to records, greater recognition through memorials and the National Apology, representation in policymaking, and strengthened community networks. ### Health, Aged Care and Social Service Professionals - **Their needs:** Training and information to provide sensitive, trauma‑aware care for ageing Forgotten Australians. - **How they use it:** Access AFA’s guides and educational resources, including the *Caring for Forgotten Australians* aged care package and the *Open Doors* educational film. - **Results:** Increased workforce capability in trauma‑informed practice and improved quality of care for Forgotten Australians entering aged care systems. ### Researchers and Policymakers - **Their needs:** Evidence, lived experience perspective, and data to inform reform of care systems. - **How they use it:** Collaborate with AFA on research projects and policy submissions; leverage AFA’s publications such as the *Forgotten Australians History Report* and university partnerships on housing and wellbeing. - **Results:** Stronger evidence base for social and policy change, ensuring the voices of Forgotten Australians remain central to reform. --- ## Company Information ### Metrics & Traction - **Founding and structure:** Established in 2006; launched in 2007; incorporated under the ACT Associations Incorporation Act 1991; restructured in 2023 as a company limited by guarantee. - **Membership:** Governing members include up to seven Forgotten Australians from each state and territory, two skilled appointees, and affiliate and associate members from Find & Connect services across Australia. - **Funding details:** Initial Commonwealth funding of $100,000 (2006); annual core funding of $150,000 from 2009‑2026 provided by the Department of Social Services under the National Apology initiatives. ### Customers & Case Studies Key partnerships include Find & Connect Support Services in each state, such as Lotus Place (Micah Projects QLD), Wattle Place (Relationships Australia NSW), Open Place (VIC), Elm Place (SA), and Lanterns House (WA). These partners provide direct client support and collaborate with AFA on advocacy and awareness campaigns. --- ## Feature Deep Dive ### Oral History Project - **How it works:** Conducted by the National Library to record and preserve the personal experiences of Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants. - **Benefits:** Permanent archival recognition; educational resource for policymakers and the public; empowers survivors through storytelling. ### Identity Card Program - **How it works:** Provides a card allowing Forgotten Australians to identify themselves to health or social services without repeatedly recounting traumatic histories. - **Benefits:** Reduces retraumatisation, simplifies access to care, and upholds dignity. ### Monuments and Memorials Initiative - **How it works:** Advocates and coordinates national memorials at sites of former institutions. Government‑funded and community‑supported. - **Benefits:** Offers safe spaces for reflection, public acknowledgment of abuse, and collective remembrance. ### *Open Doors* Educational Film - **How it works:** Produced during COVID‑19 to show potential trauma triggers for Forgotten Australians entering aged care. - **Benefits:** Training tool for aged care providers; raises awareness of re‑institutionalisation fears among older survivors. --- ## Getting Started Individuals identifying as Forgotten Australians can engage with support through the national Find & Connect helpline at 1800 16 11 09 or by contacting their nearest state service. AFA encourages involvement in advocacy by attending events, engaging with local services, or becoming associate members. Implementation of membership or support involvement is straightforward—enquiries are managed via email at **admin@forgottenaustralians.org.au** or through postal correspondence at **PO Box 5085, Cairnlea VIC 3023**. Ongoing updates, resources and opportunities to participate are distributed via the quarterly *AFA Voice* newsletter, research reports, and national forums. ## Site Map Pages crawled from www.forgottenaustralians.org.au (37 total): - [AFA](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/privacy-policy) - [How to Help](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/how-to-help/attend) - [Resources](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/resources/news-media) - [Resources](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/resources) - [Guides](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/resources/guides) - [Terms & Conditions](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/terms-conditions) - [How to Help](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/how-to-help) - [Research](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/resources/research) - [How to Help](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/how-to-help/participate) - [Resources](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/resources/stories) - [AFA](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/news-media/victorians-can-apply-for-redress-for-historical-institutional-abuse) - [Resources](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/resources/monuments-map) - [Finding Help](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/finding-help) - [Why We Exist](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/why-we-exist) - [Forgotten Australians](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/forgotten-australians) - [Who We Are](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/who-we-are) - [Newsletters](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/resources/newsletters) - [AFA](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/news-media/waiting-too-long-for-public-dental-care-heres-why-the-system-is-struggling---and-how-to-fix-it) - [AFA](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/news-media/survivor-alarm-at-abuse-reforms---change-may-block-compo) - [Redress](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/forgotten-australians/redress) - [AFA](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/research/university-of-nsw-the-forgotten-australians-lofa-study-long-term-outcomes-for-forgotten-australians) - [AFA](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/news-media/child-abuse-inside-girls-homes) - [AFA](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/news-media/stolen-generations-survivors-descendants-want-wa-redress-scheme-expanded) - [AFA](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/news-media/what-the-state-of-was-appeal-of-dion-barbers-2-8-million-compensation-win-could-mean-for-abuse-survivors) - [Australian Apologies](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/forgotten-australians/australian-apologies) - [Long Term Impacts](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/forgotten-australians/long-term-impacts) - [Apologies from States and Territories](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/forgotten-australians/apologies-from-states-and-territories) - [Inquiries](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/forgotten-australians/inquiries) - [AFA](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/news-media/know-your-rights) - [Royal Commission](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/forgotten-australians/royal-commission) - [AFA](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/news-media/federal-government-will-face-pressure-to-add-dental-to-medicare) - [AFA](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/research/university-of-south-australia-forgotten-australians-and-the-housing-system) - [AFA](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/news-media/wa-had-the-highest-rates-of-indigenous-child-removal-in-the-country) - [AFA](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/news-media/victorian-sisters-abused-by-paedophile-priest-say-high-court-decision-has-halted-quest-for-compensation) - [AFA](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/news-media/are-the-ghosts-of-this-convent-about-to-be-heard) - [The Experience](https://www.forgottenaustralians.org.au/forgotten-australians/the-experience) --- Generated by trylapis.com on October 29 2025