Adoption in Australia: Review and reflection

In Australia the rate of local or ‘known’ child adoptions is very low. Figures from the US and the UK (England only) are presented to highlight this issue. Adoptions from State ‘care’ are especially low compared with these other countries. This article explores public and professional commentary that may have contributed to the decline in the use of adoptions in Australia. Given that adoption offers the most permanent alternative care arrangement, suggestions are then made as to how adoption might become a more frequently used route out of State care for some Australian children.