Post-Adoption Information
Post-Placement Support and Supervision
Post-placement support is provided to families after they return to Australia. Post-placement supervision and reports are required for all families that adopt a child. The number and frequency of these reports differs depending on the State or Territory you reside in and the requirements of the adopted child's country of origin. Countries from which children are adopted require information about the ongoing welfare of the children. Failure to provide such information may damage Australia’s intercountry adoption programs and prejudice future adoption applications.
Finalisation of the Adoption
The way in which the adoption is finalised depends upon the adoption process applied by the country of origin and the relevant State and Territory procedures.
Final adoption decision made in the country of origin
For some of Australia’s intercountry adoption programs, a final adoption order or decision is made in the country of origin. Where an adoption has been finalised in the country of origin the adoption order is then recognised under Australian law. A period of post-placement supervision takes place after the child enters Australia.
Adoption order finalised in Australia
For some of Australia’s intercountry adoption programs, the adoption is not finalised in the country of origin. In these cases, the adoption needs to be finalised by the appropriate State or Territory Court after the child arrives in Australia. This occurs after a period of post-placement supervision.
For children whose adoptions are not finalised in the country of origin, the Australian Government Minister for Immigration and Citizenship assumes guardianship of the child until the final adoption order is made. This guardianship is delegated to the State and Territory child welfare authorities.
Australian Citizenship
The way in which an adopted child becomes an Australian citizen depends on the adoption process.
Further information on Australian citizenship is available by phoning the Citizenship Inquiry Line on 131 880.
Detailed information on this issue is also included in the following DIAC fact sheet:
Birth Certificates
Currently, if a child is adopted from a Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption country where a final adoption decision has been made, it will depend on which State or Territory the family live in as to whether they can apply for an Australian birth certificate. If the family are unable to apply for an Australian birth certificate then the official birth certificate for the child is the one issued in the country of origin.
If a child’s adoption is finalised in Australia, his or her parents are able to apply for an Australian birth certificate from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (or equivalent) in the State or Territory where they reside. This birth certificate will show the adoptive parents as the parents of the child.
If you require additional information, please contact your State or Territory authority, or the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages in your State or Territory. More information can be found at Australian Births, Deaths, and Marriages Registries.
As a result of the Overseas Adoption in Australia Report, this issue is currently being considered.
Post-Adoption
Adoption is a life-long journey and it is important adoptive families celebrate and acknowledge their child’s adoption experience. As every child is an individual, it is important that adoptive parents are able to support their children according to their specific needs. There are a range of services available to adoptive families, including those provided by State and Territory authorities. In some jurisdictions there are funded non-government agencies providing professional post-adoption services. See Contact Information for information on these organisations.
Adoptees and birth parents are able to access information regarding the parties to the adoption under State and Territory legislation. Please contact your State or Territory authority for more information.
Support Organisations
There are a number of support organisations for adoptive families, as well as people considering intercountry adoption. These groups often hold events which aim to provide support and advice to those going through the adoption process and to ensure that adopted children maintain their cultural links with their country of birth.