The Historical Forced Adoptions Redress Schemee was announced by the Victorian government in April, 2025.
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. The establishment of a scheme for mothers whose babies were forcibly removed was a key recommendation of the report from the Inquiry into Historical Forced Adoptions in Victoria.
The aim of the package is to “help address the trauma and suffering caused by the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families, community, culture, identity and language”.
The scheme is open to mothers who gave birth in Victoria, or were a Victorian resident but gave birth interstate, and who were forcibly separated from their newborn babies prior to 1990.
If found to be eligible, applicants can receive a one-off financial payment of $30,000. The scheme also offers access to counselling and psychological support, and apology processes.
It was announced that the scheme would operate until February 2028. The package is administered by the Department of Justice and Community Safety.