“Recognition matters — but the journey to justice continues.” – Gary Oliver, Knowmore Legal Service.
Members of the Stolen Generations across Western Australia have remembered the day they were forcibly taken from their families as children, as applications officially open for compensation through the Western Australian Stolen Generations Redress Scheme.
The work that has been done by Yokai: Healing our Spirit, Yorgum Healing Services, and the Kimberley Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation has been instrumental in advocating for the Scheme.
The scheme acknowledges the deep and enduring harm caused by the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families under past government policies.
It is estimated that between 3,000 and 3,500 Aboriginal people who were forcibly taken from their families as children under government policy are still alive in Western Australia today. Many were sent away to missions, institutions or to live with strangers, separated from family, culture and Country — experiences that continue to cause deep intergenerational trauma.
From today, eligible applicants who were removed as children before 1 July 1972 can apply for a one-off payment of $85,000 and may also choose to receive a personal acknowledgement from a representative of the WA Government.
Families may also apply on behalf of loved ones who have passed away on or after 27 May 2025, the date the scheme was announced.
Recognising truth and harm
Gary Oliver, Executive Director, Strategy and First Nations Engagement at Knowmore Legal Service, welcomed the opening of the scheme as a vital step in recognising truth and harm, while noting the need for ongoing support for survivors navigating redress.
“With the WA Government now implementing a redress scheme for Stolen Generations survivors, Queensland remains the only Australian state or territory yet to take this important step,” Mr Oliver said.
“Knowmore calls on the Queensland Government to urgently address this gap, to ensure all survivors and their descendants have access to truth, justice, and healing.”
Honouring survival and continuing advocacy
Aunty Glendra Stubbs, Elder in Residence at Knowmore Legal Service, paid tribute to the strength of survivors and their families who have fought for justice and recognition over decades.
“Our people have carried the weight of these stories in silence for too long,”
Aunty Glendra said.
“This scheme is an important acknowledgment of the pain and trauma that thousands of Aboriginal people in Western Australia have carried throughout their lives – but it must also remind governments and services that healing takes time, truth-telling, and genuine cultural respect.”
About the WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme
The scheme is coordinated by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and offers:
A one-off payment of $85,000; and
The opportunity for a personal acknowledgement from a WA Government representative.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, removed from their families in WA as children under 18 years of age, before 1 July 1972, and be living at the time of application.
Applications can also be made on behalf of a person who died on or after 27 May 2025.
Media contact:
To arrange interviews with Gary Oliver, Executive Director, Strategy and First Nations Engagement at Knowmore Legal Service or Jackie Mead, CEO, please contact:
Barbara Charan
Communications & Fundraising Manager Knowmore Legal Service
E: Barbara.charan@knowmore.org.au | M: 0432 681 037
Knowmore is a community legal centre that provides free, independent legal advice and multidisciplinary support for survivors of child sexual abuse.