From time to time, the FCAV receives inquiries from people who have been in care and are now seeking their records, family members, foster carers and personal history. If you have had a care experience, or are supporting someone in this situation, the contacts below may be of assistance.
The Find & Connect web resource brings together historical resources relating to institutional ‘care’ in Australia. You can use it to
read information about and view images of children’s homes
get help to find records about your childhood in ‘care’
connect with support groups and services in your state/territory
Phone: 1800 16 11 09
Website: https://findandconnect.gov.au
Open Place provides support and advocacy for people who identify as Forgotten Australians.
Address: Suite 1/8 Bromham Place, Richmond VIC 3121
Phone: 1800 779 379 or (03) 9421 6162
Email: info@openplace.org.au
Website: www.openplace.org.au
The Freedom of Information Act 1982 gives you the right to apply for access to documents held by government agencies and ministers, including child protection personal files.
Address: Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
FOI Unit, GPO Box 1774
Melbourne Vic 3001
Phone: 1300 151 883
Email: foi@dffh.vic.gov.au
VANISH provides a specialised search service for:
people affected by adoption in Victoria - mothers, fathers, adopted persons and adoptive parents.
people affected by adoption in other states and territories, overseas as well as intercountry adoptions.
people affected by donor conception - donors, offspring, and parents.
Forgotten Australians/Care Leavers - former wards of state, de facto adoptions.
and/or those who were placed in institution or foster care in Victoria up to and including 1989.
Address: 1st Floor, 50 Howard Street, North Melbourne, Victoria 3051
Phone: (03) 9328 8611
Toll Free: 1300 VANISH (1300 826 474)
Email: info@vanish.org.au
Website: https://vanish.org.au
CLAN (Care Leavers Australasia Network) offers support to people who have grown up in orphanages, children’s homes, foster care and other Child Welfare institutions in Australia and New Zealand.
Address: 247 – 251 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
Phone: 1800 008 774
Email: support@clan.org.au
Website: www.clan.org.au
CREATE Foundation is the national consumer body representing the voices of children and young people with an out-of-home care experience (including kinship care, foster care and residential care).
Address: 325-327 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne, Victoria 3051
Phone: (03) 9918 0002
Email: victoria@create.org.au
Website: http://create.org.au
