Frequently asked questions about Queensland adoption
- When will the expression of interest (EOI) registers re-open?
- Do we have to be wealthy to adopt?
- Are there any fees involved in local adoption?
- Why are fees necessary?
- Can we still continue fertility treatments such as IVF after registering an EOI for adoption?
- How long can we postpone our assessment once our names have been entered on the EOI register?
- Are there any support groups for couples considering adoption?
- When and how do you tell the child that they are adopted?
- Will current adoption legislation change?
- How can we prepare ourselves to become prospective adoptive parents?
- Is there any travelling involved in the assessment and adoption process?
When will the expression of interest (EOI) registers re-open?
The EOI register for the General Children's Adoption Program re-opens on Monday 29 October 2007. The registers will remain open for two years, closing on Friday 30 October 2009.
The Adoption of Children Act 1964 states that there must be a planned opening and closing date of the expression of interest. Consequently, our department cannot accept any new EOIs after close of business on Friday 30 October 2009.
Information on how to lodge an EOI can be found at Lodging an EOI.
Do we have to be wealthy to adopt?
No. However, couples need to demonstrate that they are able to financially support a child to independence.
Are there any fees involved in local adoption?
Yes. A fee is due at the time of lodgement of your EOI. An additional fee is due prior to the commencement of your adoption assessment. In most cases, fees are refundable if you withdraw from the process.
Why are fees necessary?
EOI fees and adoption assessment fees are required to assist with administrative and assessment costs.
Can we still continue fertility treatments such as IVF after registering an EOI for adoption?
You must be infertile to be eligible for the General Children's Adoption EOI Register. This is not the case for the Intercountry Adoption EOI Register. However, you will not be able to proceed to assessment until you have ceased any IVF treatment you may be undertaking.
You should advise us in writing and request that your adoption assessment be postponed until after you have completed your fertility treatment.
We need to know that couples are truly committed to, and comfortable with the idea of adopting.
The emotional demands of fertility treatments combined with the demands of adoption make it difficult and confusing for couples who are still committed to trying to conceive a baby.
How long can we postpone our assessment once our names have been entered on the EOI register?
At this time, you are able to postpone your assessment for up to two years, depending on the individual circumstances.
Are there any support groups for couples considering adoption?
Queensland adoptive parent support groups are held by local adoptive families and small organisations.
Contact details for these local groups are available from our Adoption Services Queensland Unit.
When and how do you tell the child that they are adopted?
Parents can help their child understand adoption by explaining that their adoptive family is their permanent and legal family, and that they were adopted because their birth family decided that was the best way to secure the child's future wellbeing.
Parents can also help their children by providing accurate information about their adoption and expressing positive feelings about the child's adopted status and birth family.
Adoptive parents are encouraged to talk about adoption within the family from the time the child is very young. Explaining adoption to a child is a progressive process because a child understands different things at different ages and have different information needs as they grow up. This process provides an opportunity for the child to discuss adoption on a more complex level when they are ready.
It is important for parents to provide opportunities for their child to talk about how they feel about their adoption. Parents can do this by talking about issues when it seems natural to do so, for example when there is something in the media about adoption, when friends adopt a child or when talking about the child's physical appearance.
Other ways families can help their children have a realistic understanding of adoption include:
- finding out as much as possible about other adoptive parents'experiences and how adoption affects their children
- reading story books about children who have been adopted and families that have been formed by adoption
- ensuring the child grows up with pride in their cultural background and have people in their family and social networks they admire who share their cultural background
- providing their child with any known information about the circumstances of their adoption, the non-identifying information provided at the time of their adoption can help with this
- participating in correspondence with the child's pre-adoptive carer (further information about this can be sought from Adoption Services Queensland if required)
- accessing support from a professional counsellor if issues associated with the child's adoption or adjustment arise in the future.
Will current adoption legislation change?
Adoption legislation in Queensland is currently under review. However, there will be some delay in the review proceeding. It is possible that some key aspects of the legislation may change. For more information, refer to Adoption legislative review.
How can we prepare ourselves to become prospective adoptive parents?
Stay healthy, research adoption issues, learn about adoption and improve your understanding of children, early childhood development and parenting.
Is there any travelling involved in the assessment and adoption process?
Couples may be asked to travel to undertake some of their adoption assessment interviews, particularly if they are not living in a major city or regional centre.
- Last updated
- 26 October 2007