Scheme overview

• The Scheme includes individual monetary compensation of $85,000 per person for living eligible members and a non-individual allocation for healing and other support measures. Individual compensation payments apply according to the following eligibility criteria:
  • living Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; and
  • who were removed from their families in WA before 1 July 1972
• Family members can submit an application on behalf of Stolen Generations members who passed away on or after the Scheme was announced on 27 May 2025.
• The WASGRS is expected to open to registrations in the second half of 2025 with distribution of payments to commence in late 2025. Interested stakeholders can provide their contact details to receive updates, details for registration will follow shortly.

Links

Media Statement: Cook Labor Government announces support scheme for WA’s Stolen Generations | Western Australian Government

Website: Stolen Generations Redress Scheme

Key messages

• The WA Government is delivering significant reparations for living members of the Stolen Generations in Western Australia.
• The WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is a further step towards reconciliation and healing past wrongs.
• It acknowledges the Stolen Generations era represents a sorrowful and shameful period in WA’s history and recognises that it has caused cycles of disadvantage and intergenerational trauma.
• A payment of $85,000 will be made available to Aboriginal people who were removed as children from their families in Western Australia prior to 1 July 1972 in recognition of the harm and trauma caused.
• The WA Government will partner with WA Aboriginal organisations on additional measures to support members of Stolen Generations such as healing and truth telling programs.
• WA now joins every other Australian State and Territory, except for Queensland, in delivering a scheme.
• The WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is expected to open to registrations in the second half of 2025 with distribution of payments to commence in late 2025. Family members will be able to submit an application on behalf of Stolen Generations members who passed away on or after the Scheme was announced (27 May 2025).
• More details, including eligibility and the option to provide contact details to receive updates on the scheme about when and how to apply, can be found at wa.gov.au/stolen-generations-redress-scheme.

Frequently asked questions and responses

What is the WA Stolen Generations Redress Scheme?

• In May 2025 the WA Government announced it is delivering a Stolen Generations Redress Scheme, including an $85,000 paymentto living Stolen Generations members who were removed as children from their families in Western Australia prior to 1 July 1972.
• The scheme will also include measures for healing and truth telling developed with Aboriginal stakeholder organisations.

How many people will receive a payment?

• All eligible Stolen Generations members will receive an $85,000 payment.
• The WA Government will undertake a thorough outreach and communications program to ensure as many people are possible who are likely to be eligible are aware of the scheme.
• The number of eligible applicants will become clearer once registrations open but we are expecting approximately 3000 or so people.

What is the total cost of the scheme?

• All eligible Stolen Generations members will receive an $85,000 payment and the scheme will include measures for healing and truth telling, developed with Aboriginal stakeholder organisations.
• The total cost of the Scheme is subject to the number of payments made to eligible applicants which will become clearer once registrations open.
• All eligible applicants to this Scheme will receive their individual $85,000 payment.

Who is eligible to get a payment under the Scheme?

• Living Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
• Removed from their families in WA before 1 July 1972
• Removal took place on or before age of 18
• Regardless of where in WA Stolen Generations members are living or their personal circumstances, we want to ensure that anyone who meets these criteria is aware of the scheme and is able to make an application for a payment.

How can Stolen Generations members make a claim for a payment under the Scheme?

• Interested stakeholders can provide their contact details on wa.gov.au to receive updates as they become available and full details of the Scheme will be available prior to its commencement.

Can the families of Stolen Generations members make a claim for a deceased relative?

• The Scheme provides payment for living members of the Stolen Generations who were removed in WA.
• Family members can submit an application on behalf of Stolen Generations members who passed away on or after the Scheme was announced on 27 May 2025. Completing an application does not guarantee payment. The application will still need to be assessed against the eligibility criteria. If found eligible, payment will be made to the relevant beneficiary or estate.

Pictured Above: WA Premier Roger Cook announces the redress plan. Image: Maria Marouchtchak