Department for Child Protection (Department of Communities)

Address: 189 Royal Street
East Perth WA 6004

Mailing: PO Box 6334
East Perth WA 6992

Telephone: (08) 9222 2555 or 1800 622 258
Fax: (08) 9222 2776
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.00am - 5.00pm.

The Department of Communities holds information on file regarding Aboriginal families in Western Australia in the past. These files were kept by the former Native Welfare Department and other departments responsible for Aboriginal people. Information about Aboriginal people's personal and family lives and about major happenings was recorded. The Department also holds information about Aboriginal people who have had dealings with other departments such as the Child Welfare, Community Welfare and Community Services Departments.

The Department of Communities Family Information and Adoptive Services can help in finding out about a past adoption. To access information about a past adoption you can contact the Department. There are also agencies which will assist you to research adoptions, such as Adoption Jigsaw and the Adoption Research and Counselling Service.

Also check ROADS: an index of locations and access to adoption records, a publication which provides details of records helpful to those tracing adoptions. Signposts: a guide for children and young people in care in Western Australia from 1920, and Find & Connect. are sites that provide details of organisations and institutions which may hold relevant records.