Time and costs
How long does the adoption process take?
Waiting times of several years are not uncommon. Many factors can affect the time the process takes, including:
- the number and characteristics of children needing intercountry adoption
- the number of applicants the partner country has already received
- the age and needs of the child/children you have been approved to adopt
- how long the partner country takes to process your application.
You can contact us or your state and territory central authority (STCA) for current waiting times for each partner country.
How much does adoption cost?
Adopting a child from overseas can be expensive. Fees vary between STCAs and the partner countries.
You can expect STCA fees to cost between $3,000 and $12,000 per application.
You will also need to pay fees to the partner country, as well as paying for:
- document preparation and translation
- travel and accommodation costs
- incidentals
You can read about each partner countries’ fees.
Remember that paying your application fees doesn’t guarantee that a child will be placed with you.
State and territory central authority intercountry adoption fees
Below is a guide to state and territory central authority (STCA) fees. You should contact your local STCA for detailed costs.
ACT | NSW | NT | QLD | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Administrative application fee |
$1,768 | $1,000 | ||
Home study | $2,999 | $4,260 | $2,300 | $5,009.20 |
General preparation, education and training programs |
$362 | $640 | ||
Post-adoption services | $1,217 | $1,000 | $2,146.85 | |
Expression of interest | ||||
File preparation to be sent overseas |
$1,300 – $1,900 | |||
Placement (after allocation) | $4,800 | |||
Total | $6,346 | $9,700 | $5,600 – $6,200 | $7,156 |
SA | TAS | VIC | WA | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Administrative application fee |
$4,422 | $324 | $1,879.40 | $1,009 |
Home study | $1,526.04 | $3,834.30 | $1,328 | |
General preparation, education and training programs |
$350 | |||
Post-adoption services | $810 | $3,472.90 | ||
Expression of interest | $885 | $143.70 | ||
File preparation to be sent overseas |
$2,947 | $810 | $1,880.90 | |
Placement (after allocation) | $3,749 | |||
Total | $12,003 | $3,470 | $11,211 | $2,687 |
Other costs
Below is a guide to immigration and documentation fees you will also need to pay.
ACT | NSW | NT | QLD | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Birth certificate | $65 | $60 | $46 | $48.20 |
Change of name certificate | $192 | $195 | $46 | $183.60 |
Passports | $150 (under 16) $298 (over 16) |
$150 (under 16) $298 (over 16) |
$150 (under 16) $298 (over 16) |
$150 (under 16) $298 (over 16) |
Adoption Visa (subclass 102) | $2665 | $2665 | $2665 | $2665 |
SA | TAS | VIC | WA | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Birth certificate | $49.75 | $55.42, plus $324 preparation of application for birth certificate | $33 | $49 |
Change of name certificate | $236.75 | $55.42 | $107.90 | $173 |
Passports | $150 (under 16) $298 (over 16) |
$150 (under 16) $298 (over 16) |
$150 (under 16) $298 (over 16) |
$150 (under 16) $298 (over 16) |
Adoption Visa (subclass 102) | $2665 | $2665 | $2265 | $2665 |