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Australian Government
Funded Each State & Territory Government, known as the
Central Authority, provides professional post adoption support services.
Details are provided below by State/Territory. If you are seeking
information to assist you in a search and possible reunion, you should make contact with
the Central Authority that legalised your adoption to obtain a copy of
your adoption papers. You may also contact the professional
organisation that provides post adoption support service in your state of
residence who can assist you with search, mediation, counselling. New South Wales (NSW) The Adoption Information Unit within the
DoCS provides information to adoptees and their birth and adoptive
parents who want to find out information and/or search for each other.
A
Supply Authority form needs to be completed and entitles the person to
obtain a range of adoption information, on a fee-for-service basis.
DoCS provides funding to the Post Adoption Resource Centre (PARC) to offer counselling and information resources to people affected by adoption living in NSW and ACT. PARC charges fees on a sliding scale based on household income. DoCS also provides funding to International Social Services NSW (ISS) to offer professional search and reunification assistance to individuals and families separated across two countries. If you are a resident of NSW, you are not charged for search services. Docs provides Special Search Service funding to the
Salvation Army to assist
adult people who were separated by the NSW State Government via adoption,
committal to care orders, foster care, or being made ward of the state or
being placed in a home as a child. Victoria (VIC) The Adoption and Information Services (AFIS) unit within the DHS provides access to copies of adoption records. The cost to access this information is usually $82.90 but this can be waived or reduced in cases of financial hardship. AFIS also provides basic counselling for search & reunion. DHS provides funding to VANISH to provide a search, information and support service to adoptees in VIC. This service began as a result of local adoptions and foster care, however, they occassionally have requests from intercountry adoptees and usually refer them to ICASN or PASS. VANISH provides a telephone, in-person or e-mail support service and conducts regular support groups. They also provide referrals to counsellors specialising in adoption. International Social Services has it's headquarters based in Melbourne and offer professional search and reunification assistance to individuals and families separated across two countries. Their services incur a cost but have been highly recommended for adoptees searching across countries.
Queensland (QLD) The Adoptions Services QLD (ASQ) unit of DChS administers the intercountry adoption program for prospective parents and assessment up to 1 year post placement only. There are no formal Post Adoption Support Services provided by DChS currently. Adoptees can access their adoption records by contacting ASQ but for search and reunion services, or assistance with mediation, we recommend you contact International Social Services located in Melbourne or Sydney. A fee will be charged for their services, however, they are well placed around the globe and have professional experience to assist you. Jigsaw QLD is a Brisbane based service which provides support for adoptees and birth families, however, it was established for local adoption & foster care, so is limited in its ability to provide assistance with searches overseas. Adoptees are probably best to seek counselling referrals from Jigsaw, who receives limited funding from the QLD state government to provide their services.
South Australia (SA) The Adoption & Family Information Service (AFIS) in the DFC provides adoptees with access to their adoption records. The DFC also provides funding to Relationships Australia for provision of Post Adoption Support Service (PASS). Their services range from information and referral, to support with searching and mediation, telephone and face-to-face counselling, a variety of workshops / seminars / support groups. There are no fees associated except for their professional development training only. Adoptees can also access International Social Services who specialise in search & reunion across countries.
Western Australia (WA) The Adoption Service in the DCP provides adoptees with access to their adoption records. WA is distinct from other Australian States / Territories in that its adoption legislation requires only a person licensed by DCP as a "Contact and Mediation Licensee" may act on behalf of another person in relation to contacting another party to an adoption, or negotiate contact between parties to an adoption. You should contact DCP for a list of their licenced Mediators. The DCP funds Adoption Research and Counselling Service (ARCS) to provide professional post adoption support services. These services include telephone counselling, individual, group and family therapy options. Counselling services are charged on a fee for service basis and a means-tested fee structure applies. ARCS also provides a search service and has qualified mediators. ARCS also provides research and information to people affected by adoption and offers a number of counsellor facilitated groups for people to share experiences and knowledge. DCP also funds Jigsaw WA to provide professional post adoption services. Jigsaw WA engages qualified mediators on a fee for service basis. Counselling is provided at a charge of $50 per session, with searching fees included in the cost of membership to Jigsaw WA. Jigsaw WA was initially established for local adoption & foster care and adoptees needing to search internationally might prefer to utilise International Social Services (ISS). ISS has it's headquarters based in Melbourne and offer professional search and reunification assistance to individuals and families separated across two countries. Their services incur a cost but have been highly recommended for adoptees searching across countries.
Tasmania (TAS) The Adoption & Information service in the DHHS provides information and counselling to people affected by adoption and also maintain the Adoption Information Register. There are no other Post Adoption Services in TAS so you may wish to utilise International Social Services (ISS) if you are considering a search internationally. International Social Services has it's headquarters based in Melbourne and offer professional search and reunification assistance to individuals and families separated across two countries. Their services incur a cost but have been highly recommended for adoptees searching across countries.
Northern Territory (NT) The Adoption Unit within the DFACS comprises a Family Information Service that provides information and counselling to adoptees, adoptive parents, and birth family and can provide some mediation support if conflict arises after contact. For adoptees wishing to search for birth family, you might consider using International Social Services who has it's headquarters based in Melbourne and offers professional search and reunification assistance to individuals and families separated across two countries. Their services incur a cost but have been highly recommended for adoptees searching internationally.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT) The Adoption & Permanent Care Unit in the DDHC provides information, mediation, and counselling services to anyone affected by adoption. The Adoption & Permanent Care Unit also maintains a Reunion & Information Register for those who wish to search and receive counselling. You can also refer to NSW for Post Adoption Support Services as these are available to you if you are a resident of the ACT.
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