Overview

Adoption is one of the options used to provide permanent care for children who are unable to live with their families. The adoption process establishes a permanent, legal parent–child relationship between a child and their adoptive parent/s.

More reports and statistics on adoption can be found under Child protection and Children & youth.

Latest findings

Of the 211 known child adoptions finalised in Australia, 142 or 67% were by carers, such as foster parents. In 2018–19, 56% of intercountry adoptions were from bilateral countries, a decrease from the previous year (62%). The median waiting time for families adopting from overseas dropped to 25 months. The majority (98%) of overseas adoptees were from Asian countries, and the most common country was South Korea (30%). Almost all (98%) of local adoptees and 65% of intercountry adoptees were under the age of 5. Almost all (98%) of local adoptees and 65% of intercountry adoptees were under the age of 5 In 2018–19, 88% of local adoptions were ‘open’—i.e., all parties allowed a degree of contact or information exchange In 2018–19, more males than females were adopted, 166 and 144 respectively 310 adoptions were recorded in 2018–19—an increase of 12% since 2015–16, but an overall decline of 64% since 1994–95. There were 12 Indigenous children adopted in 2018–19. 126 Indigenous children have been adopted since 1994–95.

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Highlights

310 adoptionsThere were 310 adoptions finalised in Australia in 2018–19—82% of these were adoptions of Australian children.
98%Almost all (98%) of local adoptees and 65% of intercountry adoptees were under the age of 5.
25 monthsThe median waiting time for families adopting from overseas in 2018–19 was 25 months.
64%There has been a 64% decline in adoptions since 1994–95.
67%Of the 211 known child adoptions finalised in Australia, 142 or 67% were by carers, such as foster parents.
83%of adoptive parents involved in carer (known child) adoptions were 40 and over, and 40% were 50 and more.
41%Just under half (41%) of Indigenous child adoptions since 1994–95 were adopted by Indigenous Australians.