The Destitute Persons Act 1881 (Act no. 210/1881) was assentend to on 18 November 1881. Its full title was: An Act to repeal 'The Destitute Persons Relief and Industrial and Reformatory Schools Act, 1872,' and to make other provisions in lieu thereof'. The Destitute Persons Act 1881 entitled two Justices to commit a destitute or neglected child to an industrial school to be detained until the age of 16 years (boys) or 18 years (girls). The Destitute Persons Act 1881 was repealed by the Maintenance Act 1926, which commenced in 1927.
Key provision: Two Justices may commit a destitute or neglected child to an industrial school to be detained until the age of 16 years (boys) or 18 years (girls). Destitute Board may apprentice children, manage their wages and property, licence foster mothers and supervise education, work and discipline. Amended by Destitute Persons Act Amendment Act 1886 - introduced term 'State child' for destitute and neglected children. Established the State Children's Council to replace the Destitute Persons' Board. Ages for detention of boys and girls made uniform (under 18 years). Repealed by State Children's Act 1895.
1843 - 1867 Maintenance Act 1843
1848 - 1867 Orphans Act 1848
1863 - 1867 Destitute Asylum Act 1863
1867 - 1872 Destitute Persons Relief Act 1866
1872 - 1881 Destitute Persons Act 1872
1881 - 1927 Destitute Persons Act 1881
1927 - 1972 Maintenance Act 1926
1972 - Community Welfare Act 1972
Sources used to compile this entry: To Remove and Protect, South Australian Legislation, AIATSIS, 2009, http://aiatsis.gov.au/collections/collections-online/digitised-collections/remove-and-protect/south-australia;
Law Research Service, Melbourne Law School, Law Library, The University of Melbourne. 'Find and Connect Project - South Australia Legislation', 13 December 2013, held in the project files at the University of Melbourne eScholarship Research Centre.
Prepared by: Melissa Downing, Christine Moje
Created: 21 February 2011, Last modified: 16 January 2023