Get support
Information and support services to help provide practical and emotional support to children and their adoptive families during and after the adoption process.
Pre-adoption support
- If you're interested in becoming a foster carer, guardian or adoptive parent there is support, training and advocacy services available at My Forever Family NSW
- Support is available for potential adoptive parents with guidance about the assessment process at Family Spirit, Anglicare, Barnardos, and the Department of Communities and Justice
- Learn more about the open adoption process by calling the Open Adoption Hotline on 1800 003 227
- Find a range of resources to help guide you through the process of intercountry adoption at the Australian Government information and referral service Intercountry Adoption Australia.
Post-adoption support
The Adoption Information Unit (AIU) is part of the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), and helps children and their birth and adoptive families with:
- supporting positive relationships
- counselling and referrals to services
- assist a child to find out information about themselves and their birth family.
You can download the factsheet - Services for adopted children under 18 years and their families - to learn more about the Adoption Information Unit (AIU).
You can also call the AIU on 1300 799 023 (local call within Australia) or email them at adoption.information@facs.nsw.gov.au
Other support services include:
- information, counselling, intermediary services, therapeutic groups and support if you've been adopted or are part of an adoptive family is available through the Post Adoption Resource Centre at the Benevolent Society
- free post adoption support including counselling, information and guidance is available through the Intercountry Adoption Family Support Service at Relationship Matters
- assistance for Aboriginal people who have been fostered, adopted or raised in institutions including research and reunions at Link-Up NSW
- intercountry social work and family support is available for families involved in intercountry adoption through the not-for-profit organisation, International Social Service Australia
- apply for an integrated birth certificate from Service NSW, which includes information about both the birth and adoptive families
- find play and social groups as well as specific intercountry adoption support groups at the Department of Communities and Justice.
Health support
- Add your child to your Medicare card once an adoption order is approved or apply to get your child their own Medicare card
- Understand the children’s health care programs provided by Medicare including dental services and immunisations
- Register for the Medicare Safety Nets
- Get free, public dental health care for children under 18 years old through the Child Dental Benefits Schedule
Family support
- Information and services for all families to manage relationship issues including counselling, mediation, dispute resolution, legal and financial advice at Family Relationships Australia
- Raising Children for information and resources for families raising an adopted child
- Information and support about raising children up to 5 years old including health, parenting and family advice at Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
- Parent Line NSW or call 1300 1300 52 for confidential advice and support
- Tresillian or call 1300 272 736 for advice and support in the early years of a child's life, including Medicare Day Services