This law amended the Aborigines Protection Act 1909 (NSW) to make changes to the conditions in which children could be removed and their placement.

Aborigines Protection Amending Act 1915 (NSW)

The Aborigines Protection Act 1909 (NSW) was the first law in NSW that specifically authorised the removal of Aboriginal children from their families. It continued to exercise control over Aboriginal people and their children until 1969. Separate systems of child welfare existed for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children throughout this period.

'Protection' and assimilation era child removals

The government often removed Aboriginal children from missions and reserves, with the aim of assimilating them into a ‘civilised life’. Children were often placed on government-controlled stations, into homes and into apprenticeships. Removing children under specific laws and policies for Aboriginal children persisted until the late 1960s.

Missions, reserves and stations

Laws and policies specifically forced Aboriginal children into apprenticeships and domestic servitude.

Apprenticeships and service under the Aborigines Protection Act

Aboriginal families were forced to cooperate with child removal practices by various methods, including legislated offences, threats and intimidation. This subject examines the punishments or penalties imposed on Aboriginal families during the process of child removal between 1788 and 1969. It also includes instances where families/children refused to cooperate with...

Punishment/penalties for refusing to cooperate  

Although the law gave Aboriginal families the right to appeal child removal, research suggests there was limited use, if any, of this appeal right by Aboriginal families during this period.  

Families' rights following child removal historically

This subject examines the treatment of children in the care of the NSW government between 1788 and 1969. It explores the law and policy that regulated the treatment of children and documents that discuss experiences of people who were in the care of the state during this period. State care...

Treatment of children in state care 

Dispossession and displacement of Aboriginal people separated them from their Country and culture. This had a significant impact on Aboriginal languages.

Impact of 'protection' and assimilation laws 

From 1909 to 1969, NSW laws allowed the Aborigines Protection Board to collect and keep the wages of Aboriginal people in trust accounts. This primarily impacted Aboriginal children who had been placed in apprenticeships. The system made it very difficult for people to access their wages. Labour practices such as...

Stolen wages system

From 1909 to 1969, the Aborigines Protection Board and later the Aborigines Welfare Board could remove certain Aboriginal children from their families under the Aborigines Protection Act. These children were placed in training homes and apprenticeships. Apprenticeships were used to separate Aboriginal children from their communities and assimilate them into...

Document