Australian Government roles

Australian Government roles for intercountry adoption.

Department of Social Services

We are the Australian Central Authority. We manage Australia’s intercountry adoption program. 

We support:

We also fund specialists supports for intercountry adoptees, adoptive parents and their families. Learn more about intercountry adoption support.

Department of Home Affairs

Home Affairs is responsible for:

  • managing immigration and citizenship for adoptions
  • assessing and deciding visa applications
  • granting visas to children adopted by Australians
  • tracking and reporting on adoption and visa activity
  • directing adoptees and families to support services.

For further information, visit the Home Affairs website(Opens in a new tab/window).

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)

 DFAT is responsible for: 

  • issuing Australian passports to children once they have been legally granted Australian citizenship
  • providing Consular support for Australian’s travelling overseas
  • official travel advice on overseas countries through smartraveller.

For further information, visit the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website(Opens in a new tab/window).

Smartraveller

For the latest advice for your child’s birth country, visit Smartraveller(Opens in a new tab/window).

Smartraveller can help you with:

  • travel checklists
  • getting a foreign visa
  • working out if you need vaccinations
  • finding the right travel insurance
  • information about risks that you could face
  • consular services overseas.

Services Australia

Services Australia(Opens in a new tab/window) provides payments and services to help you care for an adopted child(Opens in a new tab/window).

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

The NDIS (Opens in a new tab/window)helps Australians with disability to access the services and supports they need. 

The NDIS can provide information, referrals and help you access community support.

Other supports

Free translation of documents

The Free Translating Service(Opens in a new tab/window) is available to permanent residents. It is also available to some temporary or provisional visa holders. You can translate up to 10 eligible documents into English for free.

Family and Relationship Services

Family and Relationship Services provide counselling and education for all families. They aim to:

  • strengthen family relationships
  • prevent breakdown
  • ensure the wellbeing and safety of children

Family Relationship Advice Line

The Family Relationship Advice Line(Opens in a new tab/window) is a national phone service that provides:

  • information to support healthy relationships
  • advice on family and separation issues
  • telephone and online dispute resolution
  • guidance on parenting arrangements after separation
  • information about the family law system
  • referral to other services.

Family Mental Health Support Services (FMHSS)

The FMHSS provide early intervention support to children and young people who show signs of, or are at risk of, developing mental illness.

FMHSS can help with:

  • assessing needs
  • practical and home-based support
  • community outreach and mental health education.

More information

Learn more about Intercountry adoption authorities.

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