Please contact the Care Leaver Records Access Unit, Community Services:
Postal Address: Care Leaver Records Access Unit, Community Services, Department of Communities and Justice, Locked Bag 5000, Parramatta NSW 2150
Phone: 1300 137 160 or (02) 9716 2500
Quote this number to access your records: State Records Authority of New South Wales Series Number, NRS-19993
These records are held by State Archives and Records Authority of New South Wales (June 1961 - current).
The Immigrant Children’s Registers were created by the School Attendance and Licensing Branch of the Department of Community Services, NSW, and are now held by Museums of History NSW (State Archives). They record information about young people (under 21 years of age) entering the country who have no parent or blood relatives responsible for them in Australia. These young people were generally sponsored by organisations such as the Big Brother Movement and Dr Barnardo’s, and were under the supervision of Child Welfare Officers following their placements in the community.
Access to these records is currently restricted. In New South Wales, records relating to individuals, such as case files and correspondence are closed to public access for 100 years. Records such as registers and indexes are closed to public access for 80 years.
Care Leavers wishing to access records about themselves will need to complete a Care Leaver Records Access Application Form (downloadable from the Care Leaver Records Access Unit website or available at a Community Services Centre). Completed application forms with proof of identity can be sent to the Care Leaver Records Access Unit, or lodged with a Community Services Centre. For further information please contact the Care Leaver Records Access Unit.
The registers include information such as registration number, child’s name, name of school they are attending, and filing action.