Changes to the number of adoptions
Since adoption legislation was first introduced in 1928, around 64,000 Victorians have been adopted. The number of adoptions decreased after the 1970s but has been relatively stable for the past twenty years.
The reduction in adoptions since the 1970s is largely due to:
- increase in social acceptance of single parent families and de facto relationships
- government benefits for single parents
- improved access to contraception and abortion.
Another reason why there has been a decrease in the number of adoptions is that in Victoria adoption only occurs when a child is freely placed for adoption by their birth parent.
You can learn more about the steps taken now to support parents considering adoption for their child.
Also before the current Adoption Act, children were sometimes placed for adoption because the courts had decided a parent could not care for them.
Most children in Victoria who are placed permanently with another family are placed by child protection. Such arrangements are made under permanent care orders not adoption orders
The number of permanent care orders made in Victoria every year is much greater than the number of adoptions.
You can read more about past adoption practices, including forced adoption. You can also learn more about the context of adoptions at that time.
History and timeline of forced adoptions in Victoria
It is estimated that 250,000 Australians were affected by policies and practices of forced adoption, with most adoptions occurring between 1950 and 1975.
Historical forced adoption in Victoria
Forced adoption refers to past practices that forcibly separated mothers and their babies.
Official apologies for forced adoption
Both the Commonwealth and Victorian governments have issued official apologies for their involvement in these practices, recognising the profound harm and trauma inflicted upon families.
Updated 12 February 2025
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