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Get support to find records

There are a range of supports to help you.

On this page

Community values and attitudes have changed over the years and historical records may contain language that would now be considered offensive or discriminatory.

Historical records may also present a different view of reality from your lived experience. Some content might be surprising or hurtful, and can potentially trigger painful memories.

You can choose someone you trust to help you access historical records.

This could be a:

Your support person can:

Supported release

Supported release is a free service that can assist with accessing records available from the Department of Health, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, Department of Justice and Community Safety and other sources.

All Victorian care leavers can request the supported release service.

Support is provided to:

Supported release is provided by the Care Leavers Record Service located within the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

More information about how to apply for the supported release service is available on the Making a Freedom of Information request page.

24-hour support

In an emergency call Triple Zero (000). If you need immediate support, contact one of the below 24-hour services:

Other services available

Find and Connect

Find and Connect is an online resource that provides information about non-government services that may also hold relevant records.

The site also provides links to counselling and assistance for people who spent time in care as children between 1920 and 1980.

You can use it to:

Open Place (Relationships Australia Victoria)

Open Place is a support and advocacy service that coordinates and provides direct assistance to people who grew up in Victorian orphanages and homes prior to 1990.

Relationships Australia Victoria manages Open Place services in Victoria. This includes:

Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN)

CLAN is a national, independent, peak membership body which represents, supports and advocates for people who were raised in Australian and New Zealand orphanages, children’s homes, missions and foster care.

Their services include, but are not limited to:

VANISH

Vanish supports adults affected by adoption. This includes adopted people, mothers and fathers separated from a child by adoption, and other family members. VANISH also supports Forgotten Australians (Care Leavers) and donor-conceived people.

The organisation offers free services including help with applying for records, family tracing, outreach and reunion support, counselling and support groups. VANISH was established by and for people affected by adoption, and is a strong advocate for the adoption community.

Support for National Redress Scheme

The National Redress Scheme commenced on 1 July 2018, in response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The scheme is for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse.

For help with your application, access the free support services.

Support for Redress for Historical Institutional Abuse

Redress is for a people who experienced physical, emotional or psychological abuse and neglect as children in institutional settings in Victoria before 1990.

Applications opened on 10 December 2024 and are expected to be open for 18 months. Redress is managed by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.

If you apply and are found eligible, you will be offered:

If you are eligible for Redress, you can choose any or all these options.

Redress services and supports are available to assist with a Redress application.

Support for Stolen Generations

Link-Up Victoria is part of a national network of Stolen Generations services across Australia. Link-Up Victoria provides support services to members of the Stolen Generations to find family, and for family to find members who are Stolen Generations.

Support for people with disability

The Victorian Office of the Public Advocate provides services to protect and promote the rights, interests and dignity of people with a disability and mental illness living in Victoria.

The Victorian Government helps to promote inclusion and accessibility for people with a disability by funding disability advocacy and self advocacy organisations. You can contact these organisations for support.

Freedom of information

The Freedom of Information unit (FOI) is legally obliged to balance your right to receive information with other laws and guidelines that sometimes restrict the information you may receive.

We know this can sometimes be confusing or frustrating.

If FOI has deleted (redacted) anything from your records, you are entitled to know their reasons.

In 2015 the Commonwealth circulated Access Principles for Records Holders & Best Practice Guidelines. All State and Territory Freedom of Information regimes were asked to make sure they do not hinder care leavers’ access to information about their childhoods and families.

The principles are consistent with Recommendation 16 of the Senate’s Forgotten Australians report. They say that:

“…you have the right to receive copies of all personal identifying information about yourself, your family, identity and connection; circumstances surrounding your placement in care; and details of your time in care.

“This includes information you need to establish the identity of close family members, including details of parents, grandparents, siblings (as well as half siblings, aunts, uncles and first cousins).”

The Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic), Part V– Amendment of Personal Records (sections 39-49), allows you to write to the record holder and request the amendment of a record concerning your personal affairs (or those of your next of kin). You can do this if the record is inaccurate, incomplete, out of date or would give a misleading impression. The record can be altered or a note added.

Updated 18 June 2025

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