The Tasmanian Government’s Historical Forced Adoption Redress Scheme officially opened for applications on June 15, 2026, offering financial redress and personal apologies to mothers affected by past forced adoption practices. The scheme provides eligible mothers with a $75,000 payment, which includes provision for psychological and counselling support, along with a direct personal apology for those who wish to receive one, according to the Department of Justice.
Attorney-General Guy Barnett stated in May 2026 that the scheme represents an important step in “righting the wrongs of the past” and is a “nation-leading” initiative to support mothers impacted by historical forced adoptions. The scheme is open to mothers who were Tasmanian residents and had their babies taken from them before the end of 1988 without genuine or informed choice, including instances of pressure or a lack of information about their rights. An interim scheme, which offered $10,000 for urgent needs, had been in operation since February 2026, with successful applicants not needing to reapply for the full scheme.
However, the scheme’s current scope has drawn ongoing calls for expansion to include the individuals who were adopted. The Department of Justice explicitly states that the Historical Forced Adoption Redress Scheme is “limited to mothers who were directly subjected to forced adoption practices” and “does not apply to adopted people”. While the government acknowledges that adopted people may have experienced lifelong impacts and that their voices are an important part of understanding past practices, the scheme was intentionally designed to address the specific historical injustice faced by mothers.
Despite this, advocacy groups and individuals continue to press for broader inclusion. A Change.org petition, active since March 2026, supports a submission to the Tasmanian Parliament proposing that the scheme be expanded to recognise, provide financial redress, and offer support services to people adopted through these practices. Social media discussions in August 2026 also highlighted the exclusion of adult adoptees from the current scheme. ABC News Tasmania has previously reported on the ongoing push for compensation, noting in October 2024 that affected mothers were continuing their advocacy and the government had committed to “continue to work with the community”.
The Tasmanian Government has invested $4 million in the scheme, which aims to recognise the deep and lasting harm caused by these practices. Mothers seeking to apply or find more information can visit the Department of Justice website.