The Industrial Schools Act 1863 (Act no. 27 Vict. No.24) established the Hobart Town Female Refuge (also known as the Hobart Girls’ Industrial School) before being repealed and replaced in 1867 by a new Industrial Schools Act (Act no.31 Vict. No.37). This act enabled female children between 12 and 16 years to be detained in the Hobart Town Female Refuge. Children deemed uncontrollable, neglected or who had been convicted of an offence were regularly placed in this institution.