Applying to adopt an infant in Victoria

Who can apply?

You do not need any special qualifications to be an adoptive parent. The experiences and skills of all families are welcome. Whether you have the potential to meet the needs of children needing an adoptive family is the most important consideration. The Adoption Act 1984 does require, however, that you have been married or in a stable de facto relationship for at least two years before you apply. You will be required to provide documentary evidence for this. 

Is there an age limit? 

There is no age limit in the Adoption Act, but there is an expectation that you should be fit and healthy enough to care for a child safely through to adulthood. Broadly speaking, this means that you need to fit within the spread of ages at which most people become parents.

How much does it cost?

There are no fees for the Infant Adoption Program, although you'll have to pay legal costs when you apply for the adoption order at the County Court.

Information sessions

Information sessions are the best place to get answers to your questions about adoption, and aim to help you decide if it could be right for you. They're held regularly throughout Victoria, and you must attend one before you can proceed further with an application. View the dates and times of the Infant Adoption Information Sessions Schedule. The sessions are held to help you understand the processes and what you have to do to move on to the next step: attending the training sessions.

For more information about these sessions contact your local and Adoption and Permanent Care team directly.

Training sessions

Once you've attended an information session, and you wish to continue with your application, the next step is to attend training sessions. These sessions will help you understand the adoption process and provide more detailed information about what adoption in Victoria is like today.  They will also help prepare you for the challenges of bringing an adopted child into your family.

If you've undertaken fertility treatment, you must have completed it at least six months before attending a Training session.

Application

Once you've completed the training sessions, you'll complete a detailed application, which involves police checks, medical checks, a working-with-children check and other documentation. References will be required. If you're in a de facto relationship, documentary evidence will also be required.

Assessment

A social worker from your regional Adoption and Permanent Care Team will meet with you a number of times to prepare an assessment report for a committee, which will then consider your application. You are given a copy of the report and are invited to participate in the committee meeting.