Australia has set a date for a formal apology to those affected by forced adoption practices from the 1950s to the 1970s by Prime Minister Julia Gillard next year, Attorney-General Nicola Roxon confirmed on Wednesday.

The apology, which will be delivered at the Parliament House on Thursday 21 March 2013, comes after a landmark inquiry by the Federal Senate, which found up to 250,000 babies were forcibly taken from their mothers, who were mostly young and unmarried.

It will include a ceremony for mothers and fathers who were forcibly separated from their children, those now adult children who were adopted, affected siblings, and extended family members.

"The Government recognises the pain and suffering of those affected by these policies and practices," Roxon said in a statement. "The apology will be offered on behalf of the nation as a significant step in the healing process for those affected."

In February the Senate Committee recommended the government formally apologise for past forced adoption practices, which it described as barbaric and a "horror of our history."

Australian states and territories including Tasmania, Queensland and Victoria have already apologised to those affected.