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author: AIHW media release

This report contains comprehensive information relating to adoptions in Australia, including characteristics of adopted children, adoptive families and birth mothers. During 2009-10 there were 412 finalised adoptions across Australia-the lowest annual number recorded since reporting commenced. Of these adoptions: 54% were intercountry, 15% were local and 31% were `known' child adoptions; 65% of adopted children were aged less than 5 years. The majority of intercountry adoptees came from the Asian region (82%). The three most common countries of origin in Asia were the Philippines (22%), China (14%), and South Korea (14%). Ethiopia was the most common country of origin outside the Asian region (15%).

ISSN 1320-081X; ISBN 978-1-74249-093-9; Cat. no. CWS 38; 94pp.; $27.00

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Publication table of contents 

  • Preliminary material
    • Contents
    • Acknowledgments
    • Abbreviations
    • Symbols
    • Summary  
     
  • Body section
    1. Introduction
      • 1.1 Categories of adoption
      • 1.2 Adoption legislation and processes
        • Intercountry adoptions
        • Local adoptions
        • ‘Known’ child adoptions
         
      • 1.3 Post adoption adjustment and support
        • Adjustment following adoption
        • Placement disruptions
        • Post-adoption support
         
      • 1.4 Special needs children
      • 1.5 Report structure
       
    2. Adoptions in Australia
      • 2.1 Adoptions in 2009–10
      • 2.2 Trends
        • Trends in categories of adoptions
       
    3. Detailed information
      • 3.1 Intercountry adoptions
        • Country of origin
        • Characteristics of adopted children
        • Administration of Hague adoptions
        • Characteristics of adoptive families
        • Other intercountry adoptions
         
      • 3.2 Local adoptions
        • Characteristics of adopted children
        • Characteristics of birth mothers
        • Administration of local adoptions
        • Characteristics of adoptive families
         
      • 3.3 ‘Known’ child adoptions
        • Characteristics of adopted children
         
      • 3.4 Adoption of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
      • 3.5 Permanent care orders (Victoria only)
      • 3.6 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
      • International comparisons
     
  • End matter
    • Appendixes
      • Appendix A Statistical tables
      • Appendix B Legislation
        • B.1 Summary of legislation
          • Commonwealth
          • New South Wales
          • Victoria
          • Queensland
          • Western Australia
          • South Australia
          • Tasmania
          • Australian Capital Territory
          • Northern Territory
           
        • B.2 Provisions for ‘open’ adoptions
          • New South Wales
          • Victoria
          • Queensland
          • Western Australia
          • South Australia
          • Tasmania
          • Australian Capital Territory
          • Northern Territory
           
        • B.3 Access to information and veto systems
          • New South Wales
          • Victoria
          • Queensland
          • Western Australia
          • South Australia
          • Tasmania
          • Australian Capital Territory
          • Northern Territory
         
      • Appendix C Countries party to the Hague Convention
       
    • Glossary
    • References
    • List of tables
    • List of figures

Recommended citation

AIHW 2010. Adoptions Australia 2009-10. Child welfare series no. 50. Cat. no. CWS 38. Canberra: AIHW.