About the Reparations Scheme
- The NSW Government ran a Stolen Generations Reparation Scheme from 2017 to 2023.
- The Scheme has now closed.
- Successful applicants received payments in recognition of the damage caused by forced removals.
- Successful applicants could receive a personalised apology from the NSW Government if they wished.
- Applicants were also supported to access government held historical records about their experiences.
The NSW Government established the Stolen Generations Reparations Scheme as part of its response to the 2016 Unfinished Business Report. The Scheme recognised and acknowledged the direct role of government in past practices, which forcibly removed Aboriginal children from their families and communities.
The Reparation Scheme was open for seven years, from 1 July 2017 until 30 June 2023. Late application submissions were open until March 2024. It was available to Stolen Generations Survivors who were removed by or came to be in the care of the Aborigines Protection or Welfare Boards under the Aborigines Protection Act 1909, up until the Act was repealed on 2 June 1969. Successful applicants to the Scheme could receive reparation payments of $75,000 in recognition of the damage caused by the act of removal.
The NSW Government also established the Stolen Generations Funeral Assistance Fund, which was available to anyone deemed eligible for the Scheme.
Updates on the Scheme
Stolen Generations Reparation Scheme Interim Report - December 2020
The final report of the Scheme will be made available through this website on publication.
To be notified of its publication, please join our mailing list.
Personalised apologies
In addition to monetary payments, successful applicants to the Reparations Scheme were offered the opportunity to receive a formal, personalised apology from the NSW Government, in writing and in person. These apologies acknowledged the harms experienced by Survivors as a consequence of their removal from their families, community and culture under historic assimilation policies.
Although no act of Government can repair or fully atone for the damage caused to Stolen Generations Survivors, the formal apologies were considered important contributions towards healing and truth telling for many Survivors.
Access to personal records
Under the Reparations Scheme, applicants were supported to access historical records about their experiences. Although the scheme has now closed, Aboriginal people are still able to access their personal records through the Aboriginal Affairs Family Records Service or through the NSW Care Leavers Records.
For further information, visit the Aboriginal Family Records Service webpage. The page also includes information about other family records services.
Further healing initiatives
The NSW Government recognises the importance of collective healing and acknowledges the intergenerational trauma arising from the past practices of removing Aboriginal children from their families. It is also supporting other healing initiatives.
Aboriginal Affairs NSW provides funding to the four Stolen Generations organisations operating in NSW. The Stolen Generations Healing Fund also supports Survivor-led healing activities for Survivors, their families and communities.
Many Survivors are focused on restoring family structures and connections to the culture and communities they were removed from as children. Survivors also advocate for greater resourcing by government agencies to support their families in caring for their children and breaking the intergenerational cycle of trauma caused by child removals.
Aboriginal Affairs NSW is working with Stolen Generations Survivors to establish memorial Keeping Places on the sites of former Aboriginal Children’s Homes in NSW:
- Bomaderry Aboriginal Children’s Home
- Cootamundra Domestic Training Home for Aboriginal Girls
- Kinchela Aboriginal Boys Training Home
- Keller House, North Parramatta.
Alternate supports
Even though the NSW Government’s Stolen Generations Reparations Scheme has now closed, other organisations and alternative schemes may be able to provide support to Stolen Generations Survivors. These include:
Contact Legal Aid NSW’s Civil Law Team to seek free support and advice about legal channels available for childhood separation from family or abuse while in care.
Phone: Free call 1800 793 017 or (02) 9219 5057
Email: clsac@legalaid.nsw.gov.au
Web: https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/my-problem-is-about/my-right-as-a/aboriginal-or-torres-strait-islander/civil-law-service-for-aboriginal-communities
The National Redress Scheme is for people who have experienced institutional child sexual abuse. Applications to the Scheme can be made until 30 June 2027.
Phone: Free call 1800 737 377, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm
Web: https://www.nationalredress.gov.au/
Mail: NRS, Reply Paid 7750 Canberra BC ACT 2610 Australia
Knowmore provides free and independent legal advice and support services for survivors of child sexual abuse.
Phone: Free call 1800 605 762
Email: info@knowmore.org.au
Web: https://knowmore.org.au/
The Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is administered by the National Indigenous Australians Agency. They accept applications from survivors who were removed from their families or communities in the Northern Territory or the Australian Capital Territory before self-government, and the Jervis Bay Territory. You can apply until 31 August 2027.
Phone: Free call 1800 566 111
Email: help@territoriesredress.gov.au
Web: https://territoriesredress.gov.au/
This Scheme applies to children removed in Victoria before 31 December 1976. Applications close 31 March 2027.
Phone: Free call 1800 566 071
Email: stolen.generations@justice.vic.gov.au
Web: https://www.vic.gov.au/stolen-generations-reparations-package