Adoption is one option used to provide permanent care for children who are unable to live with their birth families.  It is a legal process where rights and responsibilities are transferred from birth parents to adoptive parents.

The best interests of the child is the paramount consideration in all adoptions.  The focus of adoption is on ‘finding families for children’ not ‘finding children for families’.  While satisfaction of the needs of some adults can be a positive outcome of adoption, it is not the primary goal.

Adoption in Tasmania is governed by the Adoption Act 1988 and the Adoption Regulations 2016.

Tasmania also adheres to the principles of the Hague Convention on protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in relation to Intercountry Adoptions.

Approval as prospective adoptive parents

People wishing to adopt a child must be assessed and approved as suitable prospective adoptive parents, before a child can be placed in their care.  The approval process is set out in the Adoption Regulations 2016 and applicants must complete the approval process successfully before they can be placed with either a local or overseas child.

If you are interested in attending an information session about adoption please contact us