Historical Forced Adoptions Redress Scheme Update

The Victorian Government’s Historical Forced Adoption Redress Scheme is open for applications from Mothers who gave birth in Victoria, or were a Victorian resident and gave birth interstate, and were forcibly separated from their newborn baby prior to 1990.

The Victorian Government has established the scheme to acknowledge the impact of historical forced adoption practices.Establishment of the scheme delivers on a key recommendation of the Inquiry into Responses to Historical Forced Adoptions in Victoria.

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.

Applications have been open since March 2024 and many women have already applied.

In recognition of the feedback that has been provided to the Scheme by Mothers, the Scheme have recently updated their application form to make it easier to complete. The new form can be found on the Scheme’s website.

Unfortunately, the scheme will not accept applications on behalf of mothers who have already passed away and adopted people are not eligible for redress at this time. 

To contact the Historical Forced Adoptions team, please phone 1300 217 425 9am to 4:30pm AEST Monday to Friday (excluding Victorian public holidays) or email forcedadoptions.redress@justice.vic.gov.au

For further information, frequently asked questions and to download the application form https://www.vic.gov.au/redress-forced-adoptions