Latest revision as of 04:13, 17 February 2018

The official flag.
Source: cia.gov.

Map.
Source: cia.gov.

Sunset in the Outback.
Source: cia.gov.

Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory, the Outback.
Source: cia.gov.

Sydney Opera House.
Source: cia.gov.

Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating international adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry Universal Accreditation Act.

The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed and qualified professional. While the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.

About Australia

Prehistoric settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia at least 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession of the east coast in the name of Great Britain (all of Australia was claimed as British territory in 1829 with the creation of the colony of Western Australia). Read more About Australia.

Australia Adoption Alert

There have been a few adoption alerts for Australia. To learn more please read the Australia Adoption Alert page.

Hague Convention Information

Australia is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Convention). Read more about Australia and the Hague Convention.

Who Can Adopt

Each State and Territory in Australia has its own legislation relating to domestic and intercountry adoption by residents of Australia. The legislation is generally referred to as the State's 'Adoption Act' and is supported by regulations which govern the process of adoption in that particular State or Territory. Read more about Who Can Adopt from Australia.

Who Can Be Adopted

Australia is party to the Hague Convention, but is a receiving country only and does not have an outgoing inter-country adoption program. Read more about Who Can Be Adopted from Australia.

How to Adopt

The Australian Central Authority for Inter-country Adoption is the Australian Government Attorney General's Department, Intercountry Adoption Branch. The Commonwealth Government, through the Attorney-General's Department, has responsibility for the establishment and overall management of Australia's intercountry adoption programs. Learn more about How to Adopt from Australia.

Traveling Abroad

Learn more about Traveling Abroad in Australia.

After Adoption

N/A

Contact Information

U.S. Mission in Australia

U.S. Consulate General, Sydney Level 59 MLC Centre, 19-29 Martin Place Sydney, NSW 2000 Australia Tel: 61 2 9373 9200 Email: sydneyacs@state.gov.au Internet: U.S. Consulate General Sydney

The U.S. also has consular representatives in Canberra, Melbourne, and Perth.

Australian Central Authority for Intercountry Adoption

Australian Government Attorney-General's Department Intercountry Adoption Branch’’’ Robert Garran Offices 3-5 National Circuit Barton ACT 2600 Phone: 61 2 6141 3217 Email: intercountryadoption@ag.gov.au Web: Australian Government Attorney General Department

Australia's State and Territory Adoption Central Authorities:

Australia State and Territory Adoption Central Authorities

Embassy of Australia

The Embassy of Australia 1601 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20036 Tel: (202) 797-3000 Fax: (202) 797-3209 Web: Embassy of Australia

Australia also maintains Consulates General and Consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Honolulu, Los Angeles and San Francisco

Office of Children's Issues

U.S. Department of State CA/OCS/CI SA-17, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20522-1709 Tel: 1-888-407-4747 E-mail: AdoptionUSCA@state.gov U.S. Department of State

SOURCE

Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs. U.S. Department of State Country Information adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=australia

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-=Hague Convention Information=
+{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/flags/large/as-lgflag.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''The official flag.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
-Australia is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption ([http://adoption.state.gov/hague_convention/overview.php   Hague Convention] ). Therefore all inter-country adoptions in Australia must meet the requirements of the Convention. Under the Hague Convention, Australia is a receiving country only and does not have an outgoing inter-country adoption program to place Australian children with families seeking to adopt from overseas.
+{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/maps/as-map.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''Map.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
+{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/graphics/locator/aus/as_large_locator.gif|410x579px|thumb|'''Map.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
-For domestic and intercountry adoptions by prospective adoptive parents residing in Australia, each State and Territory is responsible for assessing and approving adoption applications in accordance with its particular legislation. Depending on the applicable State legislation, prospective adoptive parents must generally be resident in that State and at least one applicant should be either an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia to be eligible to adopt.
+{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/photo_gallery/as/images/AS_016.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Sunset in the Outback.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
+{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/photo_gallery/as/images/AS_010.jpg|410x579px|thumb|'''Ayers Rock in the Northern Territory, the Outback.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
-Therefore, adoptions of Australian children by citizens of the United States residing outside Australia and/or who do not hold Australian citizenship or permanent residency are not permitted.
+{{#eimage:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/photo_gallery/as/images/AS_026.JPG|410x579px|thumb|'''Sydney Opera House.'''<BR/>Source: cia.gov.}}
-=Who Can Adopt=
-Each State and Territory in Australia has its own legislation relating to domestic and intercountry adoption by residents of Australia. The legislation is generally referred to as the State's 'Adoption Act' and is supported by regulations which govern the process of adoption in that particular State or Territory.
+'''Notice: As of July 14, 2014, all individuals and agencies facilitating [[international]] adoptions must be in compliance with the Intercountry [[Universal Accreditation Act]].'''
+The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice. Always seek the advice of a licensed and qualified professional. While the content of this website is frequently updated, information changes rapidly and therefore, some information may be out of date, and/or contain inaccuracies, omissions or typographical errors.
-Prospective adoptive parents residing in Australia and seeking to adopt children domestically or from overseas must meet the legislative requirements of the relevant State or Territory in order to be eligible for adoption.
+=About Australia=
-Specific State or Territory adoption legislation and regulations can be obtained from the website of the relevant State or Territory adoption authorities ('State and Territory Central Authorities') (listed at the end of this flyer in the Contact Information section).
+Prehistoric settlers arrived on the continent from Southeast Asia at least 40,000 years before the first Europeans began exploration in the 17th century. No formal territorial claims were made until 1770, when Capt. James COOK took possession of the east coast in the name of Great Britain (all of [[Australia]] was claimed as British territory in 1829 with the creation of the colony of Western [[Australia]]). Read more [[About Australia]].
-==Residency==
+=Australia Adoption Alert=
-Australian residency requirements are dependent on the State or Territory in which the prospective adoptive parents reside. Generally, to be eligible to adopt, at least one of the prospective applicants must be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia. Information about residency in Australia may be obtained from the Australian Embassy in Washington, DC, from any Australian Embassy or Consulate, or from the website of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship at the [Department of Immigration and Citizenship http://www.immi.gov.au].
+There have been a few [[adoption]] alerts for [[Australia]]. To learn more please read the [[Australia Adoption Alert]] page.
-==Age of Adopting Parents==
-Varies depending on the relevant State or Territory. Prospective adoptive parents must generally be at least 18 years of age.
+=Hague Convention Information=
-==Marriage==
+[[Australia]] is party to the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry [[Adoption]] ([http://adoption.state.gov/hague_convention/overview.php   Hague Convention]). Read more about [[Australia and the Hague Convention]].
-Varies depending on the relevant State or Territory. Generally married couples, de-facto couples, and single persons are able to adopt .
-==Income==
+=Who Can Adopt=
-Criteria used to assess suitability to adopt vary depending on the relevant State or Territory. Prospective adoptive parents' income may be relevant to determining their suitability to adopt in some States and Territories.
+Each State and Territory in [[Australia]] has its own [[legislation]] relating to [[domestic]] and intercountry [[adoption]] by residents of [[Australia]]. The [[legislation]] is generally referred to as the State's '[[Adoption]] Act' and is supported by regulations which govern the process of [[adoption]] in that particular State or Territory. Read more about [[Who Can Adopt from Australia]].
-==Other==
-Other eligibility requirements (for example, the health of prospective adoptive parents) are applicable depending on the requirements of the relevant State or Territory. Information about State specific eligibility requirements is available from the website of the relevant State Central Authority (listed at the end of this flyer in the Contact Information section).
 =Who Can Be Adopted=
-Australia is party to the Hague Convention, but is a receiving country only and does not have an outgoing inter-country adoption program.
+[[Australia]] is party to the Hague Convention, but is a receiving country only and does not have an outgoing [[Inter-Country Adoption|inter-country adoption]] program.  Read more about [[Who Can Be Adopted from Australia]].
-Requirements vary depending upon the relevant State or Territory. Generally the child must be under 18 years old and unmarried. Adoption should only occur if there are no other alternatives available for the child to remain with their family of origin. The welfare and the interests of the child are regarded as the paramount consideration at all times. Information about State specific eligibility requirements is available from the website of the relevant State or Territory Central Authority.
 =How to Adopt=
-==    Adoption Authority==
+The Australian Central Authority for [[Inter-Country Adoption|Inter-country Adoption]] is the Australian Government Attorney General's Department, Intercountry [[Adoption]] Branch. The Commonwealth Government, through the Attorney-General's Department, has responsibility for the establishment and overall management of [[Australia]]'s intercountry [[adoption]] [[programs]].  Learn more about [[How to Adopt from Australia]].
-The Australian Central Authority for Inter-country Adoption is the Australian Government Attorney General's Department, Intercountry Adoption Branch. The Commonwealth Government, through the Attorney-General's Department, has responsibility for the establishment and overall management of Australia's intercountry adoption programs.
+=Traveling Abroad=
-State and Territory Central Authorities have responsibility for processing individual adoption applications and assessing prospective adoptive parents to determine their suitability to adopt. A list of State and Territory Central Authorities is provided at the end of this flyer in the Contact Information section.
+Learn more about [[Traveling Abroad in Australia]].
-==The Process==
-All inter-country adoption processes by Australian citizens and/or permanent residents living in Australia are conducted in accordance with the Hague Convention. The inter-country adoption process used in each State and Territory is similar, but not identical. Generally, the adoption process in each State and Territory begins with a formal application and a detailed assessment of the applicant. If a prospective parent is deemed suitable by the State their application is forwarded overseas for approval. If successful, the overseas authority then sends a placement proposal to the State or Territory Central Authority for approval. Finally, the parents are invited to travel to meet the child they have been matched with overseas. Waiting times between approval and placement proposal may vary on depending on the country the child is being adopted from. Differences in process and requirements may also occur in each overseas country with which Australia has a program. State and Territory Central Authorities provide support and supervision following placement. The way in which an adoption is finalized depends upon the process used in the country of origin and the relevant State or Territory procedures.
-Further general information on the adoption process can be obtained by visiting the [Australian Government Attorney-General's Department website http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/IntercountryAdoption_Theintercountryadoptionprocess].
-Information about State specific process requirements is available from the website of the relevant State or Territory Central Authority (listed at the end of this flyer in the Contact Information section).
-=Traveling Abroad=
-N/A
 =After Adoption=
@@ Line 74: / Line 57: @@
-==Contact Information==
+=Contact Information=
-'''U.S. Mission in Australia'''
+'''U.S. Mission in [[Australia]]'''
 U.S. Consulate General, Sydney
@@ Line 83: / Line 66: @@
 -29 Martin Place
 Sydney, NSW 2000
-Australia
+[[Australia]]
 Tel: 61 2 9373 9200
 Email: sydneyacs@state.gov.au
@@ Line 91: / Line 74: @@
-'''Australian Central Authority for Intercountry Adoption'''
+'''Australian Central Authority for Intercountry [[Adoption]]'''
 Australian Government Attorney-General's Department
-Intercountry Adoption Branch’’’
+Intercountry [[Adoption]] Branch’’’
 Robert Garran Offices
 -5 National Circuit
@@ Line 103: / Line 86: @@
-'''Australia's State and Territory Adoption Central Authorities:'''
+'''[[Australia]]'s State and Territory [[Adoption]] Central Authorities:'''
 [http://www.ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/IntercountryAdoption_AustralianandStateandTerritoryCentralAuthorities Australia State and Territory Adoption Central Authorities]
-'''Embassy of Australia'''
+'''Embassy of [[Australia]]'''
-The Embassy of Australia
+The Embassy of [[Australia]]
-Massachusetts Avenue, NW
+[[Massachusetts]] Avenue, NW
-Washington, DC 20036
+[[Washington]], DC 20036
 Tel: (202) 797-3000
 Fax: (202) 797-3209
@@ Line 118: / Line 101: @@
-Australia also maintains Consulates General and Consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Honolulu, Los Angeles and San Francisco
+[[Australia]] also maintains Consulates General and Consulates in Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Honolulu, Los Angeles and San Francisco
@@ Line 126: / Line 109: @@
 CA/OCS/CI
 SA-17, 9th Floor
-Washington, DC 20522-1709
+[[Washington]], DC 20522-1709
 Tel: 1-888-407-4747
 E-mail: AdoptionUSCA@state.gov
@@ Line 133: / Line 116: @@
 ==SOURCE==
-'''Intercountry Adoption, Bureau of Consular Affairs.  U.S. Department of State Country Information'''[http://adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=australia]
+'''Intercountry [[Adoption]], Bureau of Consular Affairs.  U.S. Department of State Country Information''' adoption.state.gov/country_information/country_specific_info.php?country-select=australia
+[[Category: International Adoption]]

Difference between revisions of "Adopting from Australia"