want to adopt?
Parenting an adopted child is a rewarding and life changing experience.
Adoption is a journey that starts well before you and your adopted child have even met.
The process of applying to adopt moves in stages. New information at each stage helps you consider whether adoption fits your life circumstances and views.
An overview of the stages and process for applying to adopt through the DoCS local and intercountry programs is provided in Thinking about adoption (PDF).
DoCS provides a range a programs for people interested in adopting:
- an intercountry adoption program, where we deal with registered international agencies
- a local adoption and permanent care program for children under two and children over two
- a local adoption program for children with special needs
related links:
To report suspected child abuse or neglect, call the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111 (24 hours/7 days)