Intercountry Adoption Australia eligibility tool

From the information you have provided you may not be eligible to apply for intercountry adoption at this time due to citizenship requirements.

All Australian states and territories require that at least one applicant must be an Australian citizen, to be eligible to adopt through intercountry adoption.

If you would like to discuss your eligibility further you can call Intercountry Adoption Australia on 1800 197 760 or email us at info@intercountryadoption.gov.au

From the information you have provided it seems you are interested in undertaking a known non-relative child adoption.

When people are interested in adopting a child who is known to them but not biologically related to them and is a resident overseas, it’s referred to as a known non-relative child adoption.

Known non-relative child adoptions are considered on a case by case basis by the central authority responsible for adoptions in the state or territory you live in.

In states and territories where known non-relative child adoptions are allowed they will only be considered in accordance to strict requirements.

Further information on known non-relative adoptions and an overview of the process is available on the Intercountry Adoption Australia website.

If you would like to discuss your situation further you can call Intercountry Adoption Australia on 1800 197 760 or email us at info@intercountryadoption.gov.au

From the information you have provided it seems you are interested in undertaking a relative child adoption.

When people are interested in adopting a child who is biologically related to them and is a resident overseas, it’s known as a relative adoption.

Relative adoptions are considered on a case by case basis by the central authority responsible for adoptions in the state or territory you live in. In most states and territories, where relative child adoptions are allowed they will only be facilitated in limited circumstances and where all other available options for the child in their country have been investigated. The process can only begin in Australia once the relevant overseas authority in the child’s country of origin sends a report to the relevant Australian state or territory central authority outlining the child’s circumstances and recommending the child is in need of adoption. The Australian state or territory central authority can assess whether the adoption would comply with Australian legislative requirements and the principles of the Hague Convention.

Further information on relative adoptions and an overview of the process is available on the Intercountry Adoption Australia website.

If you would like to discuss your situation further you can call Intercountry Adoption Australia on 1800 197 760 or email us at info@intercountryadoption.gov.au

From the information you have provided you may not be eligible to apply for intercountry adoption at this time as you are not living in Australia.

Intercountry adoption applications are considered by each State and Territory authority. To be eligible to apply for adoption prospective adoptive parents are required to live in the Australian state or territory where they submit their application to adopt.

If you currently reside overseas you will not be eligible to access Australia’s intercountry adoption process.

If you want to adopt through Australia’s intercountry adoption process you will need to wait until you return to live in Australia to apply.

From the information you provided it seems you are seeking to adopt as a single person. Options for single people to adopt a child from overseas are limited. Many of the overseas countries require applicants to be married to be eligible to adopt.

In countries that do accept applications from single people, additional requirements are generally applied, with most countries restricting single applicants to the adoption of older children or children with special needs only. Single applicants may also be subject to longer waiting times as two parent families are preferred in many countries.

State and territory authorities also have their own eligibility requirements for single people, which need to be met before an applicant will be considered for intercountry adoption. If you are seeking to adopt as a single person, you will need to check your eligibility with your state or territory authority.

From the information you provided it seems you are seeking to adopt as a de facto couple. Options for de facto couples to adopt a child from overseas are limited. Many of the overseas countries require applicants to be married to be eligible to adopt.

In some countries, applicants in de facto relationships may be accepted if one partner (usually the female) applies as a single applicant. You will need to discuss this option with your state or territory authority.

There are limited options for people over 45 years old to adopt a child from overseas. Many of Australia’s intercountry adoption partner countries have a strong preference for younger, married couples.

From the information you provided it seems you are seeking to adopt as a same-sex couple. Options for same-sex couples to adopt a child from overseas are very limited. Many of Australia’s intercountry adoption partner countries have a strong preference for married heterosexual couples.

The purpose of this eligibility tool is to provide accurate information to you on your eligibility to submit an intercountry adoption application to one of Australia's partner countries. The questions in this tool relate to the eligibility requirements set by the overseas countries and gender is considered in conjunction with an individual's broader personal circumstances.

As you have identified as a gender other than female or male, we strongly encourage you to contact the Central Authority in the state or territory in which you live to ensure consideration of eligibility is accurate for your personal circumstances. Your Central Authority is available here.

From the information provided it seems you already have children in your care. Many of Australia’s intercountry adoption partner countries require an adopted child to be the youngest child in the family by a two-year age gap, and will not accept applications from people with more than five children. Many of the overseas countries have a preference for childless married couples.