This law amended the *Aborigines Protection Act 1909* (NSW).

Aborigines Protection (Amendment) Act 1918 (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

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, the Aborigines Protection Board and later the Aborigines Welfare Board had control over the labour of Aboriginal people living on reserves and could remove people from reserves if they determined they should be working off the reserve. Labour on reserves was often for no pay, unfair pay or...

Adult labour under the Aborigines Protection Act

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...

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Aborigines Protection (Amendment) Act 1918 (NSW)

'Protection' and assimilation era child removals

Stolen wages system

Adult labour under the Aborigines Protection Act

Child labour under the Aborigines Protection Act