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released: 5 Feb 2010 author: AIHW media release

During 2008-09, there were 441 adoptions across Australia (one more than in 2007-08): 61% were intercountry adoptions, 15% were local and 24% were 'known' child adoptions; 71% of all intercountry adoptions were from China, South Korea, the Philippines and Ethiopia; 71% of adopted children were aged less than 5 years. This report contains comprehensive information relating to adoptions in Australia, including characteristics of adopted children, adoptive families and birth mothers.

ISSN 1320-081X; ISBN 978 1 74024 993 5; Cat. no. CWS 36; 88pp.; Internet only

Full publication

Publication table of contents

  • Preliminary material
    • Title and verso pages
    • Contents
    • Acknowledgments
    • Abbreviations
    • Symbols
    • Summary
  • Body section
    1. Introduction
      1. Categories of adoption
      2. Adoption legislation and processes
        • Intercountry adoptions
        • Local adoptions
        • ‘Known’ child adoptions
      3. Report structure
    2. An overview of adoptions in Australia
      1. Adoptions in 2008–09
      2. Trends
        • Trends in categories of adoptions
    3. 3 Detailed information
      1. Intercountry adoptions
        • Country of origin
        • Characteristics of adopted children
        • Administration of Hague adoptions
        • Characteristics of adoptive families
        • Other intercountry adoptions
      2. Local adoptions
        • Characteristics of adopted children
        • Characteristics of birth mothers
        • Administration of local adoptions
        • Characteristics of adoptive families
      3. ‘Known’ child adoptions
        • Characteristics of adopted children
      4. Adoption of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
      5. Permanent care orders (Victoria only)
      6. Access to information
        • Information applications
        • Contact and identifying information vetoes
    4. Discussion of key findings
      • National patterns and trends
      • Characteristics of adopted children
      • Characteristics of adoptive families
      • Access to information
      • Inquiry into overseas adoptions
      • International comparisons
      • Adjustment following adoption
  • End matter
    • Appendixes
      1. Statistical tables
      2. Legislation
        1. Summary of legislation
          • Commonwealth
          • New South Wales
          • Victoria
          • Queensland
          • Western Australia
          • South Australia
          • Tasmania
          • Australian Capital Territory
          • Northern Territory
        2. Provisions for ‘open’ adoptions
          • New South Wales
          • Victoria
          • Queensland
          • Western Australia
          • South Australia
          • Tasmania
          • Australian Capital Territory
          • Northern Territory
        3. Access to information and veto systems
          • New South Wales
          • Victoria
          • Queensland
          • Western Australia
          • South Australia
          • Tasmania
          • Australian Capital Territory
          • Northern Territory
      3. Countries party to the Hague Convention
    • Glossary
    • References
    • List of tables
    • List of figures

Recommended citation

AIHW 2010. Adoptions Australia 2008-09. Child welfare series no. 48. Cat. no. CWS 36. Canberra: AIHW. Viewed 13 June 2013 <http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=6442468329>.