
If you are looking to find your adopted brother in Australia, there are a number of organisations and services that can help. In Victoria, Relationships Australia Victoria, AIS and VANISH can offer free assistance and advice, and help you compose a letter. The Victorian State Government Department of Justice and Community Safety provides AIS to help people separated by adoption obtain records and get in contact with one another. You can apply to AIS for adoption records, including records created by past adoption agencies and courts, and copies of the adopted person's original birth certificate. If you are living in another Australian state, you can contact the Forced Adoption Support Services to find out what support is available in your area. It's important to note that the adoption legislation in Australia is state-based, so the records you can access and how you access them will depend on the state in which you were adopted. Online services such as Adopted.com, the world's largest adoption reunion registry, can also be useful. It's free to register, and you can create a profile with the information you know, such as when and where the adoption took place, and instantly enter a space that your adopted brother may also be in.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Websites | Adopted.com, Long Lost Families, Relationships Australia Victoria, American Adoptions |
| Services | DNA testing, adoption records, peer support groups, counselling, intermediary agencies |
| Organisations | VANISH, AIS, Link-Up Victoria, Forced Adoption Support Services, Adoption Information Services |
| Contact details | 1300 826 474, 1800 21 03 13, 07737 259732, 1-800-ADOPTION |
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What You'll Learn

Register with a DNA service
Registering with a DNA service is a viable option to find your adopted brother in Australia. DNA testing can be an effective method to locate your adopted sibling, even if you don't know their name. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to approach this process:
Choose a Reputable DNA Testing Service
Select a well-known and trusted company that specialises in DNA testing for family connections. Examples include Ancestry, MyHeritage, 23andMe, Family Tree DNA, and Living DNA. These companies offer both ethnicity reports and DNA match lists, increasing your chances of finding relatives.
Take the DNA Test
The DNA test itself is typically straightforward and often involves a simple cheek swab or saliva sample. Follow the instructions provided by your chosen testing service to ensure an accurate sample is collected.
Receive and Analyse DNA Results
After submitting your sample, you will receive a list of DNA matches. Evaluating these matches can be a complex task, so consider seeking assistance from professionals who specialise in interpreting DNA results and finding biological families. They can guide you in understanding your matches and determining potential connections.
Reach Out to Matches
Once you've identified potential matches, you can utilise the testing website's messaging system to initiate contact. It's important to keep in mind that not all matches may be actively engaged with the website or willing to engage in a connection. Respect their privacy and boundaries, and be mindful that they may have their own reasons for not responding or wishing to remain unidentified.
Explore Other Resources
In addition to DNA testing, you can utilise online resources such as Adopted.com, a website dedicated to connecting adoptees with their biological families. Creating a profile on Adopted.com is free, and you can instantly connect with a large community of individuals seeking similar connections.
By combining DNA testing with other online resources, you significantly increase your chances of finding your adopted brother and successfully making a connection. Remember to be patient and persistent in your search, as locating your adopted sibling may take time and effort.
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Contact Relationships Australia Victoria, AIS or VANISH
If you are looking to find an adopted family member in Australia, you can contact Relationships Australia Victoria, AIS, or VANISH.
Contacting Relationships Australia Victoria
Relationships Australia Victoria offers a Forced Adoption Support Service that provides support on how to search for family members. You can contact them via telephone, email, or by filling out a contact form on their website.
AIS
AIS, or VANISH, is a Victorian-based not-for-profit organization that provides support to adults affected by past adoption practices, including adopted people and their mothers and fathers. They also support care leavers and donor-conceived individuals. AIS offers a range of free and confidential services, including information and support, assistance with search and reunion, access to specialist counseling, peer support groups, and creative workshops.
AIS is widely respected as a lived experience-led organization and advocate. They have been acknowledged for their professionalism, sincerity, kindness, and compassion in assisting individuals with their search. AIS also provides support to the adoptee community and works towards a society that honors the best interests of the child and the right to genetic identity and connection.
VANISH
You can begin the process of searching for your adopted brother by downloading an application form for the Adoption Information Register, as required by the Victorian Adoption Act 1984. This register enables people affected by adoption to connect with others if they wish, recording the details of each applicant and their wishes regarding contact.
VANISH provides general post-adoption information and support, including referrals, individual and small group support for people undertaking their own search for biological family, and direct family search and location services. They also offer intermediary support for first contact if required.
VANISH has been recognized for its high standard of service provision and advocacy, especially for the adoptee community. They provide a safe space for adoptees to connect with others who understand and can relate to their experiences.
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Create a profile on Adopted.com
If you are looking for an adopted sibling in Australia, there are a few organisations that can help. Relationships Australia Victoria, AIS, and VANISH all offer free assistance, advice, and support with composing letters. The Victorian State Government Department of Justice and Community Safety provides the Adoption Information Services (AIS), which helps people separated by adoption obtain adoption records or get in contact with one another. If eligible, you can apply to AIS for adoption records, including records created by past adoption agencies and courts, and copies of the adopted person's original birth certificate.
Another option is to create a profile on Adopted.com, the world's largest adoption reunion registry. Registration is free, and you will be asked to answer ten simple questions about your adoption situation, such as location, birth date, or name. You can also upload your DNA data if you have had a DNA test done. Your answers will be compared to more than 1,209,296 profiles, and you will be notified immediately if there is a match. With a subscription, you can also access additional features, such as NameSearch™, which allows you to search for specific keywords related to your adopted siblings, such as their names or a former address.
It is important to note that searching for family members can be a complex and lengthy process, and it is essential to respect the privacy of all individuals involved.
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Apply to see your adoption records
If you are looking for adoption records, you can contact the Victorian Adoption Network for Information and Self Help (VANISH) on 1300 826 474. The Victorian State Government Department of Justice and Community Safety provides Adoption Information Services (AIS) to help people separated by adoption obtain adoption records or get in contact with each other. If eligible, you can apply to AIS for adoption records, which may include records created by past adoption agencies and courts, as well as copies of the adopted person's original birth certificate.
In Victoria, there are also specialist services and peer support groups that can help. Relationships Australia Victoria Forced Adoption Support Service provides support on how to search for family members. VANISH supports all adults affected by adoption, including adopted people, mothers, fathers, and other family members. They offer search expertise, as well as understanding and support with empathy and respect.
In New South Wales, you can apply for a copy of a post-adoption birth certificate with an Integrated Birth Certificate (IBC). You will need to complete the IBC application form and provide three current identifications and a copy of the original post-adoptive birth certificate. If you do not have the original, you will need to pay $68.00, which includes $11 for registered postage.
To apply to add a parent to a pre-adoptive birth registration, the birth must be registered in NSW. The Registry may require a Parentage Testing DNA report or a court order to confirm paternity. DNA result evidence must be provided from laboratories authorised under the Family Law Regulations to conduct DNA parentage testing.
In Queensland, if you have received authorisation from the Department to receive identifying information on your birth parents, you can apply to the Queensland Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages for your original birth certificate. Post Adoption Service Queensland (PASQ) provides counselling and support, including search and reunion assistance, to people affected by adoption.
In Tasmania, the Tasmanian Adoption and Information Service administers requests for the release of information about adoptions. If you have received authorisation to receive identifying information on your birth parents, you can apply to the Tasmanian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages for your original birth certificate.
In Western Australia, if you have received authorisation to receive identifying information on your birth parents, you can apply to the Western Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages for your original birth certificate. Jigsaw Western Australia provides services to those affected by adoption.
In South Australia, the Department for Families and Communities administers requests for the release of information about adoptions. If you have received authorisation to receive identifying information on your birth parents, you can apply to the South Australian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages for further information. Post-Adoption Support Service (PASS) provides search, support, and intermediary services for those affected by adoption.
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Hire a private investigator
If you are considering hiring a private investigator in Australia, it is important to understand what they can and cannot do within the law. Private investigators in Australia can conduct surveillance, but there are strict laws that govern how they can do it. Investigators must not break the law while conducting surveillance, nor can they use illegal recording devices, such as hidden cameras, to record video or audio footage. They can, however, use photographic evidence to catch a person in the act.
Private investigators in Australia can be hired to carry out a wide range of investigations. They can be used to locate missing persons, for instance, using various techniques, including database searches, enquiries, and surveillance. They can also conduct background checks, which can be useful for employment screening, due diligence checks, or to gather information on someone you are dating.
When hiring a private investigator, it is recommended to hire a registered and licensed professional. You can book a consultation with an investigator to discuss the background of your case and your requirements. They will then devise a strategy that aligns with your objectives.
Some agencies that provide private investigators in Australia include:
- National Inquiry Agency
- Truth Investigations
- Triumph Australia
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Frequently asked questions
There are a few ways to find your adopted brother in Australia. You can start by registering with a sibling reunion registry like Adopted.com, which is free and has over 1,209,296 profiles. You can also contact organisations like Relationships Australia Victoria, AIS and VANISH, which offer free assistance and advice. If you are living in Victoria, you can also contact VANISH (Victorian Adoption Network for Information and Self Help) on 1300 826 474.
If you have done a DNA test, you can upload your DNA data to Adopted.com and have it compared to their database. If you haven't done a DNA test, you can provide details such as when and where the adoption took place, names, former addresses, or adoption agencies.
Finding your adopted brother can be a complex and lengthy process, taking several months or longer. Records may be incomplete or inaccurate, and your brother may be hard to locate if they have moved interstate or changed their name. Additionally, it is important to consider the potential emotional impact of the reunion on all parties involved, including adoptive parents and birth parents.



























