From approximately 1912 to 1968 a child migration scheme was conducted in which thousands of children were shipped from the UK and Malta to live permanently in Australia. They were usually placed in institutions and a large number were told that they were orphans, when in fact they were not.

The UK government established a UK Child Migrant Support Fund, which operated in all countries to which child migrants were sent. This project was funded by the UK Department of Health and administered by International Social Service in each receiving country.

The UK Child Migrant Support Fund operated from April 1999 to October 2002. In this time ISS Australia organised reunions for 325 former child migrants with surviving family members. Most have reported that their reunions have been life changing, giving them a sense of belonging and of closure with the past.

Following an inquiry by the Australian Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee, of which ISS was an active participant, the Australian government established an Australian Travel Fund.

The Australian Travel Fund assisted those who were separated from their families and sent as child migrants from the UK or Malta to live in children’s institutions in Australia. It paid for a return trip and some associated expenses to the UK or Malta to reunite with family or to visit a family gravesite.

ISS worked closely with child migrant support agencies that assist former child migrants in locating identifying documentation. Often records had been lost or destroyed so, for some, finding living relatives or gravesites could be quite difficult.

As of August 2005, there were 771 successful applications and 694 reunions for former child migrants through the Australian Travel Fund.

The demand on the Australian Travel Fund was much higher than first anticipated. The Fund is now closed, however previously approved applicants may be eligible to travel up to May 2006.

Journey of Discovery Report - (October 2005)

For more information
Contact International Social Service if you have been previously approved for travel under the Australian Travel Fund and had special circumstances that prevented you from travelling before August 2005. Phone 03 9614 8755 or toll free on 1300 657 843 or by email on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Support Agencies for Former Child Migrants

Christian Brothers Ex-Residents and Student Services (C-BERS Services)
PO Box 1172
Subiaco WA 6904
Tel: 08 9381 5422
Fax: 08 9382 4114

Child Migrants Trust
228 Canning Street
North Carlton VIC 3054
Tel: 03 9347 7403
Fax: 03 9347 1791

Child Migrants Trust
5 Thomas Street
Nedlands WA. 6009
Tel: 08 9386 3605
Fax: 08 9386 3695

Catholic Migrant Centre
Catholic Migrant Centre
25 Victoria Square
Perth WA 6000
Tel: 08 9221 1727
Fax: 08 9221 3793

ISS Australian Branch – NSW Office
Suite 8, Level 1
13-15 Wentworth Ave
East Sydney NSW 2010
Tel: 02 9267 2615
Fax: 02 9267 3886

For information on British Passports
Contact the British High Commission in Australia, or visit the website at www.uk.emb.gov.au.

For information about child migrant records
Contact the Child Migrant Central Information Index, currently managed by the Department of Health in the UK. This can best be accessed through their website www.doh.gov.uk/childinf.