How Easy is It to Adopt a Healthy Baby
How does adoption work?
4-minute read
Before you decide to adopt a baby, child or young person, you will need to consider if adoption will work for you and your family.
What kind of adoption?
There are 2 main types of adoption available in Australia:
- intercountry adoption, when a child is adopted from an overseas country and brought back to Australia to live
- local adoption, when the child adopted was born or is permanently living in Australia
To find out more about these types of adoption as well as what happens legally, visit the What is adoption? page on this website.
You may also be considering adopting a child with special needs or a child who you already have a relationship with, such as a step-child.
Am I eligible to adopt?
Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements set out by the Australian state or territory where the application is being lodged. This may cover things like:
- if you are an Australian citizen
- your age
- how much older you are than the child you want to adopt
- if you live in the state you want to adopt in
- if you are pregnant
You may also need to satisfy other requirements, such as:
- criminal, violence, traffic and child protection history checks
- checks concerning your health
- interviews with you, your family and other adult household members
Each state and territory has different eligibility requirements for adoption so check with the relevant government agency listed at the bottom of this page.
What if I have other children already?
If you are planning to adopt a child into your family there are some things you might want to think about. It can be difficult for your current child to adjust to this change. There may also be potential problems if the adopted child thinks you have a closer relationship with your own child than with them.
Your own child may have an issue with how much you focus on the adoption process and the other child. It may also be difficult if the adopted child is close in age to your biological child, or is not the youngest sibling after they have been adopted.
It's important to think about what you will tell your children and when. You may want to wait until you know you are eligible and have spent time researching the process. You may also want to find out more about what can happen when adopting a child into a family where there is already a child or children. Then you can gently explore your child's thoughts about adoption. You may then want to involve them in the process, while managing their expectations to avoid causing them stress and disappointment.
If you are adopting a child from overseas, you may also want to discuss with your children how your family will get involved with the adopted child's culture.
Is there any financial assistance available to me if I adopt?
It is possible that once you adopt a child, you may be eligible for Parental Leave Pay. Certain other criteria need to be met, so check with the Australian Government Department of Human Services whether you are entitled to assistance.
If you are adopting a baby or child, you may be able to get a Newborn Upfront Payment and Newborn Supplement. Note that you can't get this payment as well as Parental Leave Pay.
More information
To find out more about adoption in your state or territory, contact the following government agencies:
- Australian Government Attorney-General's Department
- New South Wales - Communities & Justice
- Victoria - Department of Health and Human Services
- Queensland - Queensland Government Community support
- Western Australia - Department of Communities, Child Protection and Family Support
- South Australia - Department for Child Protection
- Tasmania - Department of Health and Human Services
- Australian Capital Territory - Child and Youth Protection Services
- Northern Territory - Department of Children and Families
To find out more about fostering a child, visit What is foster care and kinship care? and How does foster care work?
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Last reviewed: February 2020
Need more information?
What is adoption?
Adoption permanently transfers the legal rights and responsibilities of being a parent from the child's birth parents to the adoptive parents. Learn more here.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Adoption & raising adopted children | Raising Children Network
When you adopt, you give a child a home and a sense of belonging, security and identity. It's good to tell children about their adoption as early as you can.
Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website
Adoption of your child | NT.GOV.AU
What happens if you decide to adopt your child, including information on consent, finalising the adoption and your rights after adoption.
Read more on NT Health website
Giving a baby up for adoption
If you are thinking about adoption for your baby, it's important to get as much information, advice and counselling as you can.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Adoption | Community support | Queensland Government
Adoption Services Queensland responsibilities and contact details for adopting.
Read more on Queensland Health website
Adopting a child - Services Australia
We have a range of payments and services to help parents care for their newly adopted child.
Read more on Centrelink website
Deciding to give a child up for adoption
Deciding whether to give a child up for adoption can be very distressing for parents, but there is support for parents and carers to help them through this process.
Read more on Pregnancy, Birth & Baby website
Adoption - Better Health Channel
betterhealth.vic.gov.au
Read more on Better Health Channel website
Foster care & adoption - The Trauma and Grief Network (TGN)
Children and young people who are in foster care, out of home care or adopted can have complex needs
Read more on Australian Child and Adolescent Trauma, Loss and Grief Network (ACATLGN) website
Intercountry Adoption | Department of Social Services, Australian Government
Improving the lifetime wellbeing of people and families in Australia.
Read more on Department of Social Services website
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Source: https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/how-does-adoption-work
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