Notes
Data are subject to minor revisions over time.
Data quality statement
Data in the displays are based on the National Adoptions Dataset Specifications.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2021) Adoptions Australia 2019–20, AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 29 March 2024.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2021). Adoptions Australia 2019–20. Canberra: AIHW.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Adoptions Australia 2019–20. AIHW, 2021.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Adoptions Australia 2019–20. Canberra: AIHW; 2021.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2021, Adoptions Australia 2019–20, AIHW, Canberra.
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Adoptions Australia 2019–20, the 30th report in the series, covers the latest data on adoptions of Australia children and children from overseas, and highlights important trends in the number of adoptions dating back to 1995–96. Data cover characteristics of adopted children, their parents and adoptive families, as well as applications and vetoes for contact and information exchange.
334 adoptions were finalised in 2019–20—a rise of 20% since 2015–16, but an overall decline of 50% since 1995–96
Of the 249 known child adoptions finalised in Australia, 171 or 69% were by carers, such as foster parents
The median waiting time for families adopting from overseas was 2 years and 9 months
Almost all (98%) local adoptees and 67% of intercountry adoptees were aged <5, compared with 22% of known child adoptees
Data are subject to minor revisions over time.
Data in the displays are based on the National Adoptions Dataset Specifications.