Post by Kim on Mar 18, 2007 10:10:03 GMT 10
The Intercountry Adoption Service (ICAS) is responsible for finding Victorian families for children from overseas who cannot be placed with a family in their country of origin. Intercountry adoption is a last resort for children to find a family and must be in the best interests of the child.
How are overseas adoptions arranged in Victoria?
Arrangements for overseas adoption in Australia occur either under the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Intercountry Adoption or under bilateral government-to-government agreements.
Australia works with a number of countries and adopts a number of children each year.
What is involved in making an application to adopt?
All applicants must complete an application, undergo medical and police checks, and provide references and information about their family and financial situation. Once the application has been cleared, applicants attend education sessions over a 3-day period. This provides the opportunity to learn more about adoption issues and meet other prospective adoptive parents. An assessment follows which takes about 3 months. A decision is then made regarding suitability to adopt a child. If accepted, the application is sent to an overseas country, which makes the decision about the child.
How long does it take?
On average it takes 2 years from the application process to placement of a child in a family, but it can be longer at times.
How old are the children?
Most of the children (approximately 75%) are under 2 years of age. There are also many older children and sibling groups who need families. Victoria does not place children over the age of 9 unless there are special circumstances, such as placing siblings together.
What does it cost?
The Department of Human Services has fees for intercountry adoption. Between $6000 and $7000.
These fees cover the costs of the application, education groups, assessment, preparing and sending files overseas and post-placement visits. There are other fees that may apply, for example, some countries require documents to be translated, notorized, authenticated and certified. T
here is also a fee set by the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs to make an application to sponsor a child into Australia for the purposes of adoption.
Overseas programs also charge fees that vary from country to country. Applicants pay for any personal travel and accommodation expenses.
Total costs can go as high as $30,000.
For the DHS web site just click HERE
Then click on Intercountry Adoption in the side menu.
How are overseas adoptions arranged in Victoria?
Arrangements for overseas adoption in Australia occur either under the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Intercountry Adoption or under bilateral government-to-government agreements.
Australia works with a number of countries and adopts a number of children each year.
What is involved in making an application to adopt?
All applicants must complete an application, undergo medical and police checks, and provide references and information about their family and financial situation. Once the application has been cleared, applicants attend education sessions over a 3-day period. This provides the opportunity to learn more about adoption issues and meet other prospective adoptive parents. An assessment follows which takes about 3 months. A decision is then made regarding suitability to adopt a child. If accepted, the application is sent to an overseas country, which makes the decision about the child.
How long does it take?
On average it takes 2 years from the application process to placement of a child in a family, but it can be longer at times.
How old are the children?
Most of the children (approximately 75%) are under 2 years of age. There are also many older children and sibling groups who need families. Victoria does not place children over the age of 9 unless there are special circumstances, such as placing siblings together.
What does it cost?
The Department of Human Services has fees for intercountry adoption. Between $6000 and $7000.
These fees cover the costs of the application, education groups, assessment, preparing and sending files overseas and post-placement visits. There are other fees that may apply, for example, some countries require documents to be translated, notorized, authenticated and certified. T
here is also a fee set by the Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs to make an application to sponsor a child into Australia for the purposes of adoption.
Overseas programs also charge fees that vary from country to country. Applicants pay for any personal travel and accommodation expenses.
Total costs can go as high as $30,000.
For the DHS web site just click HERE
Then click on Intercountry Adoption in the side menu.