Minister for Indigenous Australians
Stolen Generations survivors who were removed as children from their families and communities in the Northern Territory, the Australian Capital Territory, and Jervis Bay can now apply for redress from the Australian Government.
In addition, $6.55 million will be provided through Link-Up services and The Healing Foundation to support applicants, coupled with free financial and legal services announced on February 14.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, said the $378.6 million financial and wellbeing Redress Scheme will make payments in recognition of the harm caused.
"The Stolen Generations lost their childhoods, their connections to family, country and culture, and while we cannot give back lost childhoods, we are contributing to healing through the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme," Minister Wyatt said.
"This Scheme offers a redress payment of up to $75,000 and a healing assistance payment of $7,000. The Scheme also offers the opportunity for Stolen Generations survivors to, should they wish, confidentially tell their story about the impact of their removal to a senior government official, have it acknowledged and receive a face-to-face or written apology.
"The support package includes significant wellbeing support and will be delivered in a survivor-focused, trauma-informed and culturally sensitive way.
"Today, we are following powerful words with practical action."
Free community-based support services and free legal and financial services will also ensure that survivors are able to make fully informed decisions throughout the application process.
"We are also providing more funding for Link-Up services across Australia to provide direct assistance with preparing and submitting applications, outreach and emotional support, while they continue their important work in family tracing and reunions," Minister Wyatt said.
"Link-Up services in the NT, ACT and NSW will now have six dedicated redress officers between them, and services in other jurisdictions helping applicants who have since moved from the Territories will also receive a boost in funding.
"Link-Up services and The Healing Foundation will use their well-established networks and existing relationships to help promote understanding of and access to the Scheme, maximising the healing opportunities for Stolen Generations survivors, their families and communities.
"In recognition that many Link-Up officers are themselves Stolen Generations survivors or descendants of the Stolen Generations, the Healing Foundation will be providing uniquely tailored supports to Link-Up."
This $6.55 million is in addition to the existing $79.19 million over four years that supports the non-Scheme related operations of the Link-Up services, The Healing Foundation and the Family History Unit at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies.
The Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is open for applications from today until February 28, 2026 and will operate until June 30, 2026.
The Scheme is also open to family members of Stolen Generations survivors who have passed away since 5 August 2021, when the Scheme was announced.
The establishment of the Scheme was guided by an External Advisory Board, co-chaired by the Healing Foundation and the National Indigenous Australians Agency, and comprises Stolen Generations representatives and organisations, and trauma specialists.
