Australian gay and lesbian couples can adopt children – but only in the state of Victoria.

Australian activists celebrated yesterday, when the state of Victoria’s lower house passed the Adoption Amendment (Adoption by Same-Sex Couples) Bill which grants equal adopt rights to same-sex couples.

#AdoptionEquality has now passed the Vic Parliament and will be law. I couldn’t be prouder. pic.twitter.com/9ikDBsPPjX

— Daniel Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) December 9, 2015

Thrilled for families and kids across Vic that there is finally adoption equality! #adoptionequality #springst

— Amanda Alford (@A_Alford_) December 9, 2015

Ecstatic that same-sex couples can now adopt! But haven’t achieved full #adoptionequality ’til religious exemptions are removed. #springst

— Matthew Wade (@MatthewRWade) December 9, 2015

The years of waiting by LGBTI families is over. Well done to the many activists who made #AdoptionEquality happen. #springst

— Victorian Labor (@VictorianLabor) December 9, 2015

Last month, however, the Victorian upper house amended the bill to include religious exemptions before passing it.

The amendments mean that religious institutions have the right to refuse adoption to a couple based on their sexual orientation.

While LGBT rights groups have welcomed the bill, Victorian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby’s Sean Mulcahy was disappointed that the religious exemptions were included.

“We will continue to advocate for a broader review of religious exemptions with a view to ensuring no lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex person is turned away from services simply because of who they are,” he promises.

“We firmly believe that children’s rights, welfare and best interests must never be trumped by the religious beliefs of a state-funded service provider.”