About intercountry adoption
Intercountry adoption should only occur if in a child’s best interests. A child should be raised by his or her birth family or extended family. If this is not possible, they should have other forms of permanent care in their country of birth. Intercountry adoption should only happen if these local solutions are not available.
Australia’s intercountry adoption policies reflect this.
Intercountry adoption in Australia
All Australian intercountry adoptions must follow the principles of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption(Opens external website) (Hague Convention).
Australia has intercountry adoption partnerships with countries that also follow the principles of the Hague Convention.
Australians can apply to their State or Territory Central Authority to adopt a child from a partner country.