Mini vic.gov.au

This is a low bandwidth version of vic.gov.au. Contents may not be up to date. © Copyright State Government of Victoria

Support for people affected by past adoption

On this page

The effects of past adoption practices, including the trauma of forced adoption, can last a lifetime. Counselling, mental health services and advocacy resources are designed to offer practical and emotional support to those who need it most.

If you or someone you know has been affected by forced adoption, we encourage you to use this resource to find the support and assistance you need.

VANISH

VANISH provides professional, confidential search and support services to people affected by adoption. Their staff often have a personal experience of separation and adoption. They can offer understanding and support with empathy and respect, to adopted people, mothers, fathers, and other relatives.

In response to the inquiry, the Victorian Government committed to an uplift in post-adoption services. Read more about the implementation of the Victorian Government’s response to the inquiry into responses to historical forced adoption in Victoria (the inquiry).

As part of this uplift, the Victorian Government committed to continue funding VANISH from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2029 to deliver services to assist people with searching for family members and forced adoption training for support professionals.

Adoption information Services

Adoption information Services assist people to find records that were created at the time of the adoption or to locate family from whom they have been separated by the adoption. Learn more about applying for adoption information. If someone affected by adoption is seeking support, Adoption information Services can also advise them of appropriate services.

Relationships Australia

The Forced Adoption Support Service provides a range of services that support mothers, fathers, adopted persons and other family members affected by forced adoption practices. It also provides funding for projects that support people affected by forced adoption.

Link-Up Victoria, Connecting Home and Koorie Heritage Trust support members of the Stolen Generations and their descendants to reconnect with family, culture and community.

Find a psychologist

Find a psychologist who has listed ‘adoption’ as an area of practice through the Australian Psychological Society.

VANISH also maintains a register of counsellors and psychologists who have knowledge of separation and adoption issues and experience working with this client group.

Other support services

Aged Care providers with specialist care

The Australian Government is rolling out training for aged care providers to specialise in Forced Adoption. Search for providers who specialise in forced adoption.

Illegal and Illicit intercountry adoption

If you have reason to believe an intercountry adoption facilitated through Victoria may have involved illicit or illegal practice, you should raise this, in the first instance with Adoption Services Victoria. The Support Guide below provides you with information about what to do:

Jurisdictional Support Guide for Illicit or Illegal Practices - ICA Adoptions PDF 246.61 KB (opens in a new window)

This Support Guide does not cover expatriate adoptions. If you have concerns about an expatriate adoption (a private adoption by an Australian family residing overseas) you should raise these concerns with the Australian Central Authority (ACA) - the Commonwealth Department of Social Services; or the authorities in the country of origin that facilitated the adoption and with law enforcement authorities where appropriate.

Historical forced adoption in Victoria

Forced adoption refers to past practices that forcibly separated mothers and their babies.

Support for families who have adopted a child

There is support available for families who have adopted a child in Victoria through the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (formerly the Department of Health and Human Services).

Updated 16 March 2026

About the VIC Government

Grants and programs

Jobs and careers

Arts, culture and heritage

Business and the workplace

Communities

Education and training

Environment, water and energy

Finance and economy

Health and social support

Housing and property

Law and justice

Safety and emergencies

Science and technology

Sport and recreation

Traffic and transport

Working in the Victorian Government