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According to its preamble, the Industrial Schools Act provided for 'the Establishment in Tasmania of Institutions for the Industrial Training and Benefit of Vagrant Children and Youthful Offenders'.
Children under the age of 14 who were 'found begging or receiving alms'; 'found wandering and not having any home or settled place of abode, or proper guardianship or visible means of subsistence'; or were 'destitute' because they were an orphan or their only living parent was in gaol could be sent to an industrial school.
Children under 12 charged with an offence punishable by prison but not of a felony, could also be sent to an industrial school.
The Act had its origins in vagrancy laws which explains why in this, and subsequent acts, children could be charged with their own neglect.
