Benevolent Asylum


The Destitute Asylums were institutions established throughout the colonies of Australia in the 19th century to house destitute men and deserted, vagrant or homeless women, their children and orphans not able to support themselves. Poor conditions in the sleeping quarters and harsh treatment in some of these institutions created unpleasant experiences for many of those who had to reside in such places.
Victoria had 9 Benevolent Asylums in 1857 with an annual cost to the colony of £124,250.
By January 1860 there were 11 Benevolent Asylums in New South Wales housing 1,282 inmates and with a total annual expenditure of £25,822.

Benevolent Asylums and Infirmaries in Australia

Several of the buildings of the Adelaide Destitute Asylum are now home to the SA Migration Museum, which opened on August 26, 2003.