Lost contact, but not missing?

What other search agencies can assist in finding my missing loved one, other than police?

When a case doesn’t fit the police definition of a missing person, i.e. 'someone whose whereabouts are unknown and there are concerns for their safety and welfare', there are other agencies you can turn to for help.

Search agencies operate global search networks with the aim of reuniting family members with those who have lost contact, whether it be as a result of long-term disconnect, adoption, child abduction, or separation as a direct result of war or disaster. These types of searches are referred to as 'family tracing' matters.

Additionally, there are a number of directories, archival resources and specialised platforms that you can engage with independently to search for loved ones who don’t fall within the police definition of a missing person. Each of these services provides access to different types of records and information that may assist in locating or learning more about individuals. We have included a number of these in the below list.

If there is an active police investigation, it is important to inform your case officer that you are considering using these services.

Resources for conducting your own search

The Australian Red Cross - Restoring Family Links service is part of the Global Family Links Network and provides free of charge and confidential services to assist families reconnect and clarify the fate of missing loved ones, predominantly when contact is lost due to war, migration, or disaster. The Restoring Family Links service works across international borders and does not provide 'domestic' tracing services within Australia.
They are contactable on 1800 875 199 or via email at tracing@redcross.org.au
ISS Australia offers an international family tracing and reunification service to support Australian residents in locating an immediate family member who are believed to be living overseas. The service aims to locate and reunite family members, and to facilitate contact in a supportive, respectful and empathetic manner. Please note, ISS Australia does not provide domestic family tracing services within Australia. Additionally, please note that fees apply for this service.
Access the ISS Australia website here: https://www.iss.org.au
Link-Up provides First Nations people who have been affected by Government policies resulting in the separation of families with ongoing research support in family tracing. There are Link-Up organisations in most states and territories, however please note, services do not operate in the ACT or Tasmania.
To connect with Link-Up, please visit their website.
The Find & Connect website provides access to information about records relating to children who experienced “out of home” care in Australia, including orphanages, Children’s Homes, and other institutions. These records can assist individuals in learning about the institutions where they lived, the legislative and social context that shaped welfare policies of the time, and, where available, how to access records created about them.
Access the Find & Connect website here: https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/
An Australia wide electronic version of the Electoral Roll is able for viewing at AEC offices in each state and territory.
The White Pages is a free online telephone directory which can search business and government or residential. Information found on the White Pages can be cross referenced with information found on the Electoral Roll.
Social media can be a powerful tool for locating friends or family who you have lost contact with. As of January 2024, 78.3% of the Australian population are recorded to use social media websites, such as Facebook, Instagram and X.
Search tips include:
- Broadly searching multiple social media websites.
- Narrowing down searches to local community groups in the town, city or area that your lost contact has had previous associations with.
- Broadly searching search engines.
The National Library of Australia has both detailed guides and extensive resources and records that can help in the research of family history. These include, but are not limited to, family history research guides, guides to accessing births, deaths and marriages records, First Australians’ family history resources, and electoral rolls research guide. The National Library of Australia also offers an in-person family history zone, which houses hard copy family history materials.
The National Library of Australia also maintains the Trove resource, which hosts a range of resources contributed by a large number of partners, including, libraries, museums, galleries, universities and archives.
Access the National Library of Australia website here: https://www.library.gov.au/research/family-history
Access the Trove website here: https://trove.nla.gov.au/
The National Archives of Australia holds an extensive collection of government records that can be a valuable resource for those seeking to reconnect with family members or friends. Available records include those relating to migration and citizenship, military service, employment and other areas of life that may assist in tracing efforts.
Access the National Archives of Australia website here: https://www.naa.gov.au/
The Ryerson Index is a free index of death notices - including obituaries, funeral notices and probate notices – that appeared in Australian newspapers, and as of 2020, from online sources.

Access the Ryerson Index website here: https://www.ryersonindex.org/
Oz Reunion is a platform dedicated to helping reconnect Australian family members and friends. For a fee, users can submit a post on the website outlining details of the person or people they are seeking to contact. It is important to note that Oz Reunion does not actively conduct any searches for missing persons or lost family members and friends on behalf of the users. Instead, the platform relies on the individual (or someone who knows them) becoming aware of the posted information.
Access the Oz Reunion website here: https://www.reunion.com.au/