Girls working in the garden, watched over by officers, Hay Institution for Girls, 1965.

Find & Connect was developed to help people who were in out of home care between 1920 and 1990 understand more about their past and about the historical context of child welfare in Australia. We assist people who spent time in an orphanage or children’s home in Australia and their families.

If you are searching for a family member and were not in care, or are not a direct family member of a person who was in care, you can try our Finding Family section.

To contact a Forced Adoption Support Service in your state or territory call 1800 21 03 13, or email the support service in your state.

Find information on adoption records. 

Unfortunately we cannot assist with your family history research. You may find our Family History page useful.