For the first time in seven years, the number of children
adopted from countries outside Australia has significantly
increased, according to a report published today by the Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW).
Adoptions Australia 1999-00 shows there were 566
adoptions in 1999-00, 23 more than in 1998-99, but far from a peak
of nearly 10,000 in 1971-72.
Of the 566 adoptions, 265 were for locally-born children, and
301 adoptions were for overseas-born children-57 more than the
previous year.
Of the 265 locally-born children, 159 were adopted by relatives
or guardians ('known child' adoptions). The other 106 children were
adopted by parents with no previous contact or relationship with
the child ('placement' adoptions).
All 301 overseas-born adoptions were 'placement' adoptions.
These adoptions include children adopted under the 1998 Hague
Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of
Intercountry Adoption. The Convention establishes uniform adoption
procedures among its 40 signatory countries, and safeguards
children's best interests.
Co-author of the report, Susan Kelly, said that the signing of
the Convention by Australia is the likely reason for the increase
in the number of Australian adoptions of overseas-born
children.
'It is now possible for adoption orders to be finalised in the
country of origin and recognised in Australia, and this has
streamlined administrative processes,' Ms Kelly said.
According to the report, this is the first time in seven years
that there has been any significant increase in the number of
overseas-born adopted children, with figures remaining steady at
around 250 each year. For the years 1991-92 to 1999-00 in total,
most of the adopted children have come from Korea (685), India
(262), Thailand (241), the Philippines (197) and Colombia
(183).
There were 5,008 applications for information about past
adoptions in 1999-00 (a fall of 8% from the 5,430 lodged in the
previous year). Of these, half (51%) were made by the adopted
person, 14% by the birth parents, 5% by other birth relatives, 2%
by adoptive parents, and 1% by a child of the adopted person.
Most adoptive mothers (82%) were aged over 35 years, while more
than half (54%) of adoptive fathers were aged 40 years and over.
Almost all adoptive parents (99%) were married and about half (52%)
had no other children in the family.
16 February 2001
Further information: Susan Kelly (co-author),
tel. 02 6244 1182
or 0419 296 053 (mobile).
For media copies of the report: Publications Officer,
tel. 02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for availability.