Time and costs
Length of the adoption process
The amount of time an adoption process takes can vary. It is usually a lengthy process, and waiting times of several years are not uncommon. Factors that may affect the duration of the process include:
- the number and characteristics of children requiring intercountry adoption
- the number of applicants
- the age and needs of the child/children who you are approved to adopt
- how long it takes the overseas country to process your application (which is outside of Australia’s control and subject to changes in their policies).
Please contact us or the central authority in your state or territory for more information about waiting times for Australia’s intercountry arrangements.
Adoption fees and costs
Intercountry adoption can be expensive. Fees vary between states and territories, ranging from around $3,000 to around $11,000 per application (see table below). In addition, fees also vary between the overseas countries involved. There are also other expenses to consider such as:
- airline travel
- overseas accommodation
- preparing documents (translation, legal and notary fees).
Paying state and territory application fees, or sending a completed application overseas, does not guarantee that you will be matched with a child.
Information about the fees charged by overseas authorities is available by visiting Partner countries.
State and territory intercountry adoption fees
Adoption costs current @ 1 July 2017. Please note that adoption costs can be subject to change.
| State/ Territory | Type of fee | Stage | Fees – 1st application/ assessment | Fees – subsequent application/assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | Information seminar | Information | $339.96 | n/a |
| Administration | Pre-assessment | $1658.84 | $1658.84 | |
| Home study | Pre-assessment | $2813.75 | $2813.75 | |
| Post placement reports | Pre-commencement | $1141.65 | $1141.65 | |
| SA | Expression of interest lodgement | Pre-assessment | $866 | $649 |
| Application for registration and assessment | Pre-education and assessment | $4327 | $3605 | |
| Preparation of file for overseas lodgement | Dossier preparation | $2884 | $2884 | |
| Placement | After allocation | $3749 | $3605 | |
| QLD | Assessment
|
Selected for assessment | $4733.30 | $4733.30 |
| Supervision | Post placement | $2028.60 | $2028.60 | |
| NSW | Information stage | Information & expression of interest | $640 | No charge |
| Assessment | Application & assessment | $4260 | $2100 | |
| Allocation | Allocation | $4800 | $4800 | |
| TAS | Registration | Registration | $310 | $310 |
| Assessment | Assessment | $1460.10 | $1460.10 | |
| Preparation of file for sending overseas | File preparation | $775 | $775 | |
| Post placement services | Post placement | $775 | $775 | |
| Preparation of file for court (to get Tasmania birth certificate) | Preparation of file for court (to get Tasmania birth certificate) | $310 | $310 | |
| VIC | Registration of interest to adopt a non-citizen child | Application | $137.90 | $137.90 |
| Application | Application | $1666.60 | $1389.30 | |
| Applicant assessment and report | Assessment | $3681.60 | $2152.90 | |
| Approval and preparation of documents required by overseas country | Assessment | $1805.90 | $1805.90 | |
| Placement proposal and post placement visits and reports | Post placement | $1389.30 | $1389.30 | |
| WA | Information seminar and education sessions | Before assessment | $700 (per couple) $350 (per person) |
No charge |
| Registration | Before assessment | $1009 | $992 | |
| Applicant assessment and report | Before assessment | $1328 | $874 | |
| Home study dossier | Fees payable to relevant agencies | Fees payable to relevant agencies | ||
| Preparation of file for court | No charge | No charge | ||
| Post placement services | No charge | No charge | ||
| NT | Application | Application | $1000 | $750 |
| Assessment and education | Assessment | $2300 | $2300 | |
| File transmittal | File transmission | $1300-$1900 | $1300-$1900 | |
| Placement supervision | Post placement | $1000 | $1000 |
Please contact the central authority in your state or territory for further information about adoption fees.