Latest findings
Adoption numbers in Australia declined by 63% over the past 25 years – from 709 in 1996–97 to 264 in 2020–21
The majority of local adoptees (95%) and intercountry adoptees (71%) were aged under 5
From 1996–97 to 2020–21, 124 Indigenous children were adopted: nearly 3 in 5 through known child adoptions
Adoption numbers in Australia declined by 63% over the past 25 years – from 709 in 1996–97 to 264 in 2020–21
The 264 adoptions finalised in 2020–21 are the lowest number on record
In 2020–21, the median length of time to process an intercountry adoption was 3 years and 4 months