This article provides an overview of the adoption of Aboriginal children during the Stolen Generations.

Pat Dudgeon, 'Dark chapters in Australian History: Adopted children from the Stolen Generations' (2014) 36(4) InPsych 1

In the early years, laws relating to adoption concerned ‘child convicts’ or wards of the State. Other adoptions began to be regulated from 1923, when the process for private adoptions was formalised.

Adoption contact - closed adoptions

While adoption of Aboriginal children into European families happened in the early years of the colony, this was not regulated by law until 1923. Throughout this period, no law or policy had regard to the cultural needs of Aboriginal children being adopted.

Document

Pat Dudgeon, 'Dark chapters in Australian History: Adopted children from the Stolen Generations' (2014) 36(4) InPsych 1

Adoption contact - closed adoptions

Adoption by non-Aboriginal families