Here we provide a comprehensive list of formal post adoption supports in Australia.
Adoptee-led Post Adoption Support
For a list of intercountry adoptee led informal peer supports click here.
Nationwide Post Adoption Services
funded by Federal Government available and specific for all Australian based intercountry adoptees:
For free counselling, case management, therapeutic groups, small grants & bursaries, education & training: contact Relationships Australia.
For answers to any questions relating to Intercountry adoption not in scope for psychologists or searching services, adoptees can contact the Federal Intercountry Adoption Australia hotline e.g. visa / passport questions, sending country contacts or queries, other adoption services in your state/territory.
See updated information for passport and citizenship process for Australian intercountry adoptees.
State and Territory Services
funded by their State Governments:
Each department of adoption is a useful place to start if you are wanting a copy of your adoption records.
The funded post adoption service by state provides support for all adoptions (domestic and intercountry).
Australian Capital Territory
Department of Community Services
Adoptions
New South Wales
Department of Communities and Justice
Adoptions
The Benevolent Society
Post Adoption Resource Centre (PARC)
International Social Services (ISS) Australia
NSW Special Search Service for domestic adoptions or International Post Tracing Service (IPTS) for intercountry adoptions
Northern Territory
Department of Families, Housing and Communities
Adoptions
Queensland
Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs
Adoptions
The Benevolent Society
Post Adoption Support Queensland (PASQ)
South Australia
Department for Child Protection
Adoptions
Relationships Australia
Post Adoption Support Service (PASS)
Tasmania
Department for Education, Children and Young People
Adoptions
Victoria
Department of Justice and Community Safety
Adoptions
Adoption Information Services – for access to adoption records, or discharge of adoption
Permanent Care and Adoptive Families
Victorian Adoption Network for Information and Self Help (VANISH)
Western Australia
Department of Communities
Adoptions
Jigsaw – Search and Contact (closing at end of 2023)