A new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) has found that Stolen Generations survivors and their descendants experience significantly greater physical and health challenges than the wider Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations, including higher rates of severe or profound disability.
The report, commissioned by the Healing Foundation — a peak advocacy body that supports Stolen Generations survivors and their families — builds on data first released in 2023. It confirms that the tens of thousands of Indigenous Australians forcibly removed under past government assimilation policies carry a heavier health burden compared with other Australians.
The findings show survivors are more likely to have severe or profound disability, along with a range of other physical and health challenges. The Healing Foundation commissioned the research to strengthen understanding of the long-term impacts of forced removal, which continued across generations.
While the report does not quantify every gap, it highlights the enduring health consequences of government policies that separated Indigenous children from their families, and adds to a growing body of evidence on the intergenerational effects of the Stolen Generations.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The findings quantify ongoing health inequities faced by Stolen Generations survivors, reinforcing the need for targeted support services.
- Because the effects are intergenerational, descendants of survivors also carry an increased health burden, widening the policy challenge.
- The report may inform future government funding decisions for Indigenous health, disability support, and healing programs.
Background
The Stolen Generations refers to Indigenous Australian children who were forcibly removed from their families under federal and state government policies of assimilation, in effect from the late 19th century through the 1970s. These removals were later condemned in national inquiries, and the Healing Foundation was established to support survivors and their families in addressing the resulting trauma. The AIHW's role as a national data agency gives the new report official statistical weight, and its use of 2023 baseline data suggests a continuing effort to track long-term health outcomes.
Key Perspectives
Healing Foundation: As the commissioning body, the Healing Foundation is likely to use this evidence to advocate for greater recognition of survivors' health needs and for dedicated healing and disability services.
AIHW: The report's authors provide an independent, data-driven assessment, strengthening the factual basis for policy discussions among health agencies.
Critics/Skeptics: Some may argue that the report does not establish with certainty how much of the health gap is attributable solely to forced removal versus other socioeconomic factors. The report itself builds on existing data, so it may not capture the full lived experience of survivors.
What to Watch
- Whether federal and state governments respond with new funding for Indigenous health and disability programs.
- Further AIHW or Healing Foundation releases that break down the findings by age, region, or severity of disability.
- Advocacy calls for formal government acknowledgment or policy changes in response to the report's findings.