“Recognition matters — but the journey to justice continues,” according to Knowmore Legal Service strategy and First Nations engagement executive director Gary Oliver.

He said members of the Stolen Generations across Western Australia have remembered the day they were forcibly taken from their families as children, as applications officially open for compensation through the Western Australian Stolen Generations Redress Scheme.

The scheme acknowledges the deep and enduring harm caused by the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families under past government policies.

It is estimated that between 3000 and 3500 Aboriginal people who were forcibly taken from their families as children under government policy are still alive in Western Australia today.

Many were sent away to missions, institutions or to live with strangers, separated from family, culture and Country - experiences that continue to cause deep intergenerational trauma.

From this week, eligible applicants who were removed as children before July 1, 1972 can apply for a one-off payment of $85,000 and may also choose to receive a personal acknowledgement from a representative of the WA Government.

Families may also apply on behalf of loved ones who have passed away on or after May 27, 2025, the date the scheme was announced.

Mr Oliver welcomed the opening of the scheme as a vital step in recognising truth and harm, while noting the need for ongoing support for survivors navigating redress.

Aunty Glendra Stubbs, Elder in Residence at Knowmore Legal Service, paid tribute to the strength of survivors and their families who have fought for justice and recognition over decades.

“Our people have carried the weight of these stories in silence for too long,” she said.

“This scheme is an important acknowledgment of the pain and trauma that thousands of Aboriginal people in Western Australia have carried throughout their lives - but it must also remind governments and services that healing takes time, truth-telling, and genuine cultural respect.”

The scheme is coordinated by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and offers a one-off payment of $85,000, and the opportunity for a personal acknowledgement from a WA Government representative.

Premier Roger Cook said the Stolen Generations era is a sorrowful and shameful part of history, and the impacts continue to be felt across families and communities.

“No amount of money can ever make up for the experiences of Stolen Generations survivors and their families, or the ongoing effects on people’s lives.

“This scheme is about acknowledging the injustices and offering a path forward - towards healing, truth-telling, and reconciliation.

To find out more, including how to apply, call 08 6552 5050 or visit the website.