Adoptions data visualisations

Intercountry adoptions refer to adoptions of children from countries other than Australia, who are legally able to be placed for adoption, but who generally have had no previous contact or relationship with the adoptive parent(s).

The diagram below presents a simplified overview of the intercountry adoption process in Australia.

Diagram: Overview of the intercountry adoption process in Australia

Detailed information on Intercountry adoptions can be found in the AIHW Adoptions reports, on the state and territory websites found on the Adoptions links & other information, and on the Intercountry Adoption Australia website.

The Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department—the Central Authority for the Hague Convention in Australia—has primary responsibility for establishing and managing Australia’s intercountry adoption arrangements.

As at mid-2016, Australia had active intercountry adoption programs with 13 countries: Bulgaria, Chile, China, Colombia, Hong Kong, Latvia, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand.