People who experienced abuse and neglect as children in institutional settings before 1990, can receive support. The Victorian Government acknowledges that there are multiple ways individuals and groups identify themselves including but not limited to care leavers and Forgotten Australians.
We are providing support to Victorians who experienced child abuse and neglect in institutional settings before 1990.
Redress for historical institutional abuse
The Victorian Government will offer redress to people who were physically, emotional or psychologically abused and neglected as children in institutional settings in Victoria before 1990.
Redress for historical institutional abuse will include:
- payment of up to $20,000
- personal apology – in person or written
- up to 20 counselling sessions
FAQs - Redress for people who have experienced historical abuse and neglect. Information on how to apply will be available on this webpage in December 2024.
Advance redress payments
Until redress starts, an advance redress payment of $10,000 is available to people who were physically, emotionally or psychologically abused or neglected as children in institutional settings in Victoria before 1990 and are terminally or critically ill.
Visit Advance redress payments for more information.
Advance redress payments will be available until redress for historical institutional abuse starts.
Parliamentary Apology
On Thursday 8 February 2024, Premier Jacinta Allan made a formal Apology in Parliament, to Victorians who experienced abuse and neglect as children in institutional settings before 1990.
A recording of the Apology can be viewed on the Parliament of Victoria website.
Available services and supports
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:
- advocacy, case work support and referrals to other services such as health, housing, education, income support and employment
- counselling with qualified staff -the counselling can be for you, your family or in a group session with other people. You can attend in person or online if you prefer.
- drop-in centre (located in Richmond), peer and social support groups, events, educational and personal development activities and workshops
- financial assistance for health needs (e.g., dental expenses)
- access to records
- supporting people applying or thinking about applying for redress through the National Redress Scheme.
Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN)
CLAN is a national, independent, peak body that offers support to people who have grown up in orphanages, children’s homes, missions, foster care and other child welfare institutions in Australia and New Zealand.
Their services include, but are not limited to:
- Free counselling
- helping you access state ward files and records
- helping you to locate lost family members and friends
- social get-togethers
- supporting you with Centrelink, housing, policy and courts.
- assisting you apply for the National Redress Scheme.
Find and Connect
Find and Connect is an online resource for anyone interested in the history of child welfare in Australia.
You can use it to:
- read information about and view images of children’s homes
- get help to find records about your childhood in institutions
- connect with support groups and services in Victoria.
Other support services
If crisis support is needed, people are encouraged to contact one of the below services:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
- Mensline: 1300 78 99 78
- Suicide call-back Service: 1300 659 467
- In an emergency call Triple Zero (000)
There are several other organisations that provide support including:
- Child Migrants Trust
- In Good Faith Foundation
- Link-Up Victoria
- Connecting Home
- Victorian Adoption Network Information and Self Help (VANISH)
- Adoption Information Services.
More information
Thousands of children were placed in institutional settings in Victoria prior to 1990. Many of them experienced abuse and neglect. The challenges people faced have been documented in numerous inquiries including: