Adoption in Australia can feel like a maze of red tape, regulations, and emotional rollercoasters. But we’re here to help you navigate it with clarity, and the facts you actually need.

Whether you’re just getting curious, wondering if adoption is right for your family, or weighing it against other paths (like surrogacy or fostering), this guide is your soft landing.

Let’s unpack everything—types of adoption, who can adopt, international options, and how it all works across different states.

Types of Adoption in Australia

1. Local (Domestic) Adoption

  • Involves children born in Australia whose birth parents have chosen adoption.
  • It’s rare—only a small number of local adoptions happen each year.
  • Most are now open adoptions (we’ll explain that below).

2. Intercountry (International) Adoption

  • Adopting a child from overseas through a government-approved program.
  • Requires meeting both Australian and partner country requirements.

3. Known Child Adoption

  • Adoption of a child with whom the adoptive parent already has a relationship (e.g., step-parent, relative, or long-term foster carer).

International Adoption: What to Know

International adoption is governed by the Hague Convention, and all adoptions must go through formal, government-approved channels.

Australians may be eligible to adopt from the following countries (as of 2025):

  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Sri Lanka
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand

👉 For current program info, visit:
https://www.intercountryadoption.gov.au/countries-and-considerations/countries/

Eligibility Considerations for International Adoption

Each partner country has different requirements for adoptive parents. Here’s a quick snapshot:

Age

  • India: Up to 45 years for a child under 4, 50 for a child aged 4–8, 55 for older children.
  • Colombia: Minimum age 25, and must be at least 15 years older than the child.
  • Chile: Must be between 25 and 60, and at least 20 years older than the child.

Marital Status & Sexuality

  • India: Only married heterosexual couples and single women can apply.
  • Colombia: Inclusive of married, de facto, same-sex couples, and singles.
  • Taiwan: Accepts applications from same-sex couples.

Medical & Health

  • Conditions like cancer, diabetes, obesity (BMI > 35), psychiatric diagnoses, or substance abuse can disqualify applicants in some countries (e.g., Philippines).

Number of Children

  • India: Families with 3+ children are usually limited to special needs adoptions.
  • Thailand: Prefers childless couples but considers others case by case.

Who Can Adopt in Australia?

Eligibility varies by state, but generally includes:

  • Married or de facto couples (together for 2+ years)
  • Single applicants (varies state to state)
  • LGBTQIA+ individuals and couples (increasingly accepted)
  • Applicants must be in good health, financially stable, and pass police and child safety checks

What is Open Adoption?

Open adoption is now the standard across Australia. It means the child may maintain some form of contact with their birth family, depending on what’s best for everyone involved.

This could include:

  • Sharing photos and updates
  • Visits or video calls
  • Cultural or medical info exchanges

It helps kids grow up with a strong sense of identity and story.

What About Fostering?

Foster care is different from adoption. It’s usually temporary or long-term care without transferring full parental rights.

Sometimes, foster carers go on to adopt the children in their care—especially through known child adoption.

Where Do You Have to Foster Before Adoption?

In some states, fostering is a formal part of the adoption process:

NSW:

  • Fostering is required before adoption. This is called foster-to-adopt.
  • Services like Barnardos Australia support this path, ensuring kids have stability before legal adoption happens.

ACT:

  • Also follows a foster-to-adopt model where carers must foster before becoming eligible to adopt.

In both places, this helps build trust and test long-term compatibility.

Are Closed Adoptions Still Allowed?

Closed adoptions, where no contact or identifying information is exchanged between the birth and adoptive families, were common pre-1980s.

Today, all states and territories encourage open adoption wherever safe and possible.

That said, closed adoptions can still happen in rare or complex cases (e.g., safety concerns). These are always handled individually.

State-by-State Differences

Every state and territory runs adoption slightly differently. Here’s a quick glance:

  • NSW: Emphasizes open adoption and foster-to-adopt.
  • VIC: Uses permanent care orders more than adoption, especially from foster care.
  • QLD: Prioritizes maintaining connection with birth families.
  • WA: Offers both open and closed adoptions depending on the child’s best interest.
  • ACT: Foster-to-adopt approach is common.

Always check your state’s central authority for the most up-to-date info.

Final Thoughts

Adoption in Australia is complex. Whether you’re exploring local adoption, stepping into foster care, or starting an international journey, you’re not alone.

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