Adoption in Victoria
Adoption provides a stable and secure family life for children who, for various reasons, cannot live with their birth family.
Adoption is a way of forming a family. A child is placed with adoptive parents, followed by a legal process, which establishes a child as if he or she were born to those adoptive parents.
When an adoption order is granted, the adoptive parents are granted all parental rights and responsibilities, and a new birth certificate is issued, which recognises the adoptive parents as the legal parents.
Adoption services provided by adoption and Permanent Care:
- Infant Adoption Program in Victoria places on average about 20 infants for adoption every year.
- Children with special needs can be placed for adoption.
- Adoption by step-parents is a way for some families to legalise relationships in families with step-children.
Adoption arrangements in Victoria can only be made by the Department of Human Services or an approved adoption agency.
Information for birth parents considering placing their child for adoption
The Infant Adoption Program provides counselling and information regarding adoption and other options for the care of children. Parents considering adoption are provided with a range of information to ensure that adoption is the best option for the child and the birth family. If you are considering placing your child for adoption, information and counselling is available to help you make the most suitable choice.
Link to Information for Parents Considering Adoption of their Child
Information for families who want to adopt an infant
The Infant Adoption Program places children with approved adoption applicants. About 20 healthy infants are relinquished for adoption each year. The children have been relinquished for adoption by their birth parents, and are aged from 2 to 12 months.
The Adoption Act 1984 requires that you have been married or in a stable de facto relationship for at least 2 years. If you have undertaken fertility treatment, you will need to have completed it at least six months prior to commencing educative groups.
Download the Infant Adoption pamphlet [PDF 130kb]
What does it cost?
There are no fees for the Infant Adoption Program. However, you would have to pay legal costs associated with the application for the adoption order at the County Court.
The Infant Adoption Program holds information sessions for prospective applicants to find out more about the adoption process.
Contacting a service
Contact the local Adoption and Permanent Care Team in your area, or write to Infant Adoption, 9th floor, 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000, to find out about the information sessions. Please include your names, address, and dates of birth and marriage or commencement of your relationship.
Additional information
- Adoption and Permanent Care – An Information Kit provides a series of information sheets for students and the media.
- See also: Permanent Care, Intercountry Adoption Services (ICAS),
- To trace an adoption record see: Adoption and Family Records Service