Please contact the Freedom of Information Team at the Department for Child Protection:
Phone: (08) 8226 4399
Postal address: Ground Floor, Building 2, 300 Richmond Road, Netley SA 5037
Email: DCP.FOI@sa.gov.au
Website, Out-of-Home Care information: https://www.childprotection.sa.gov.au/research-and-publications/freedom-information/provision-information-care-leavers
Website, Adoptions information: https://www.childprotection.sa.gov.au/support-and-guidance/adoption-processes/applying-for-adoption-information
These records are held by State Records of South Australia (1919 - current).
State Records of South Australia holds many records that contain information about South Australian families who had contact with the child welfare system, and relating to the paternity of South Australian children who were born outside of marriage (including for cases where this is not noted on a birth certificate). They may contain some information about children who were placed in out of home care. The records were kept by the State departments responsible for child and social welfare.
Access to these records is restricted for 100 years in order to protect personal privacy. People mentioned in these records have a right to access information about themselves. To request access to restricted records please contact the Department for Child Protection Freedom of Information team.
Ledger cards – Family Maintenance Branch, 1928-1980 (GRS/6648)
Affiliation files, 1940-1972 (GRG29/138)
Contains records relating to the paternity of children born out of wedlock. Only a 5% sample of these files have been retained.
Maintenance files, 1940-1972 (GRG29/139)
Contains records relating to maintenance payments for children. Only a 5% sample of these files have been retained.
Family maintenance files – Affiliation (Type 21), 1946-2003 (GRS/6635)
Includes information about the paternity of children born outside of marriage, including where this information has not been recorded on a birth certificate.
Briefs for proceedings brought by Department, 1950-1964 (GRG29 /107)
Contains records relating to paternity, affiliation, and maintenance cases.
Report on circumstances parentage of certain children dealt with by Social Welfare Department, 1960-1960 (GRG29/109)
Trust maintenance ledgers and related accounting records, 1974-1999 (GRS/8601)
Matrimonial agreements – Family Maintenance (Type 20), 1976-1990 (GRS/7773)
Affiliation files – Family Maintenance (Type 21), 1990-1990 (GRS/7774)