Planning to adopt from overseas

Safeguards

The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption(Opens in a new tab/window) (Hague Convention) is an international treaty about intercountry adoption. It helps make sure overseas adoptions are safe, legal and focused on the child’s best interests. 

For information on international law and Australian legislation, learn more about legislation and research.

Partner country arrangements

Australia only works with countries with established partnerships. These countries also follow the Hague Convention. 

Each partner country has its own waiting times, fees and rules about who can apply. Partner country arrangements can change at any time. Australia or the overseas country can also pause or close arrangements at short notice.

Learn more about Australia's partner countries. Each partner country page includes specific information about adoption in that country. This includes general information about waiting times and fees.

Responsibilities

Australia and our partner countries make sure decisions are based on what is best for the child. Wherever possible, children should first be cared for in their own country. 

Partner country responsibilities

Authorities in the child’s country decide if the child can be adopted overseas. They look at the child’s needs and background. They also choose a suitable adoptive family for the child. 

Australia’s responsibilities

Authorities in Australia assess and approve people who want to adopt. Australia does not choose the child or make the final matching decision. The adoption can only go ahead if both countries agree.

People in Australia who want to adopt a child from overseas must apply through their state or territory central authority. You can find details on the intercountry adoption contacts page.

Learn more about the adoption process. 

Children in need of adoption

There are many reasons a child may need to be adopted. Their parent or parents may have died, or they may be alive but unable to care for the child. 

In many countries, more children are now able to stay with their birth families or be adopted in their own country. This is a positive change. Reasons for the decline in intercountry adoption include:

• Children needing adoption often have additional needs.
• Prospective adoptive parents may not have the ability, capacity or willingness to meet those needs.
• Waiting times are longer.
• Countries of origin have stricter rules about who can adopt.

The needs of the child

The children needing intercountry adoption are different in each of Australia's partner countries. They are often older children, part of a sibling group, or children with additional needs. Each partner country has its own meaning for additional needs. In general, many children may have physical, mental or behavioural needs, such as:

• health problems, from minor issues to complex conditions that need ongoing treatment
• mild to severe developmental delays
• difficult family or social history, including abuse
• physical or intellectual disability.

Older children may remember their birth family. Some children may have lived in foster care, orphanages or other institutions for many years. These experiences, along with moving to a new country, can affect children for life. They may need ongoing care and support.

Information gaps

Sometimes, there may not be much information about a child’s background. The child’s birth country may also give information that is incomplete or not correct. This could include information about the child’s age, health or background.

Your state or territory central authority will give you all the information available about a child. You can find details for these central authorities on the intercountry adoption contacts page.

The central authorities also encourage partner countries to keep high standards. More information about a child may become available later. This new information may add to what you already know, or it may be different from earlier information.

Because of this, a child may arrive with needs that have not been identified yet. These may include:

• medical
• cognitive
• emotional
• social
• behavioural and/or
• developmental.

Waiting times and costs

Long waiting times are common. The adoption process can take several years. Adopting a child from overseas can also be expensive.

For information about waiting times and the various costs, learn more about applying for intercountry adoption.

Uncertainties

Even if a country has accepted your application, there is no guarantee that you will be matched with a child. On some occasions a partner country may choose to place a hold on adoptions or suspend or close an arrangement at short notice. In some circumstances a country’s eligibility criteria may also change, making you no longer eligible.

Breakdown of adoption

On rare occasions, adoptions can break down. This can be due to complications with bonding and attachment between you and your child. Support is available through the Intercountry Adoptee Family Support Service. This is a lifelong free service for families and individuals going through, or who have gone through, the intercountry adoption process.

More information

• Learn more about Types of adoption
• State and territory central authorities are listed on the intercountry adoption contacts page
• If you are interested in applying for intercountry adoption you can speak to someone about the process and your specific circumstances. You can also get current information on wait times and detailed costs. Contact your local state and territory central authority.