Adoptions Australia 2020–21
Publication
Release Date:
Topic: Adoptions
Citation
AIHW (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) (2021) Adoptions Australia 2020–21, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 4 June 2026, doi:10.25816/ym2f-ty54.
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Adoptions Australia 2020–21, the 31st report in the series, covers the latest data on adoptions of Australian children and children from overseas, and highlights important trends in the number of adoptions dating back to 1996–97. Data cover characteristics of adopted children, their parents and adoptive families, as well as applications and vetoes for contact and information exchange.
- ISSN: 978-1-76054-927-5
- ISBN: 978-1-76054-928-2
- DOI: 10.25816/ym2f-ty54
- Cat. no: CWS 85
- Pages: 56
Findings from this report:
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Adoption numbers in Australia declined by 63% over the past 25 years – from 709 in 1996–97 to 264 in 2020–21
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The majority of local adoptees (95%) and intercountry adoptees (71%) were aged under 5
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From 1996–97 to 2020–21, 124 Indigenous children were adopted: nearly 3 in 5 through known child adoptions
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The 264 adoptions finalised in 2020–21 are the lowest number on record