Wards of the State or people who were placed under the Guardianship of the Minister may have been adopted by foster parents. Often, no formal adoption took place but the child took the surname of the foster parents.
The Adoption and Family Information Service (AFIS) can access and provide information drawn from the subject's file under the
Freedom of Information Act. If there is a Departmental file in your name as a Ward of the State - or in the name of a family member whose file you believe you are entitled to access - you can apply for access by:
- Printing off the Request for Access under the Freedom of Information Act 1991 form. See this link: Adoption forms (for people affected by adoption issues, you might also wish to contact the Post Adoption Support Services on phone: (08) 8245 8100.
- Completing it; and
- Posting it to AFIS
Please note: AFIS cannot accept the form electronically.
AFIS will make sure you receive all the information you are entitled to.
If you were once a Ward of the State, placed under the "Guardianship of the Minister" or previously in care and are now in need of help in relation to this, the Post Care Research and FOI Team may be able to help you. See
how to complete an application form.
Self-Help Guides
The Commission of Inquiry (Children in State Care - “Mullighan Inquiry”) gave its report to the South Australian Government in the week beginning 31 March 2008. PDF copies of the report are available for download at the Mullighan Inquiry website, which also provides other information.