Applying for intercountry adoption
How long intercountry adoption can take
The adoption process can take several years. Long waiting times are common.
We work with Australia's partner countries to support intercountry adoption.
Many factors affect how long the process can take, including:
- the number of children who need intercountry adoption
- the number of applications the partner country has already received
- the age and needs of the child or children you have approval to adopt
- how long the partner country takes to process your application.
Costs of adoption
Adopting a child from overseas can be expensive. Fees vary between state and territories and partner countries.
You may also need to pay fees to the partner country, as well as paying for:
- document preparation and translation
- travel and accommodation costs
- incidentals.
It’s important to know that paying your application fees doesn’t guarantee you will have a child placed with you.
Other costs
Other immigration and documentation fees you will also need to pay include:
- passports(Opens in a new tab/window)
- adoption visa (subclass 102)(Opens in a new tab/window)
- citizenship(Opens in a new tab/window).
Partner countries
We have a separate page for each partner country, with specific information about adoption in that country. This includes information about requirements, waiting times and fees.
Learn more about our partner countries.
More information
- Learn more about the adoption process
- Learn more about what happens after adoption
- For current waiting times and detailed costs, contact your local state and territory central authority. They are listed in the intercountry adoption contacts