How to register your interest
If you are interested in adopting a child from overseas, the first thing to do is to read the ICAS Information Kit thoroughly. Pay particular attention to the requirements of the overseas countries to establish whether you are eligible to apply.
If you think you may be eligible and are still interested then you will need to register your interest for the information sessions. You must attend an information session in order to make formal application.
The booking form contains details of all information sessions for the year. Read it carefully and fill in all the mandatory fields, and select the information session you'd like to attend. Then click the submit button. You'll receive a confirmation message telling you what to do next, with a link to a map of the location of the information session.
Intercountry Adoption Service - Information Session booking form.
You will need to arrive 10-15 minutes before the start of the session. You cannot apply over the phone, but if you can't complete the on-line electronic booking, call us on 8608 5700, and we'll send you a hard copy of the booking form.
Remember, the Intercountry Adoption Service cannot assist with the adoption of children who are related to you, so if you're considering sponsoring a child under the Orphan Relative provisions in migration law these information sessions are not relevant, and you should call the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on 131 881.
What does it cost?
Adopting a child from overseas is expensive. There are annually indexed fees for intercountry adoption set by the Victorian Government. In addition there are many other associated fees and costs. For example, some countries require documents to be translated, notarised, authenticated and certified. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship charges a fee 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. You will find a list of the Victorian Government Statutory fees for Intercountry Adoption in the Information Kit. Information about fees charged by overseas countries can be found in the document titled "Current Information on the Overseas Programs", also contained in the Information Kit.
Applicants pay for their travel and accommodation and all other personal costs associated with overseas travel.
