Adoption

Unless exceptional circumstances exist, if you wish to adopt a child in the Northern Territory (NT), you must be:

• an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• living in the NT
• in a relationship (either married or de-facto)
• between 25 and 40 years older than the child you wish to adopt, or up to 45 years older if you have care and custody of another child.

In addition to the above, if you wish to adopt a child from overseas, you must meet the suitability requirements of the overseas jurisdiction you want to adopt from.

The NT works with a limited number of overseas partner adoption programs. For information about current overseas adoption programs please contact the Adoption Unit.

Before you apply

• You must live in the NT for the whole adoption process as there are risks associated with relocations.
• Intercountry adoption has additional fees from the overseas jurisdiction.

To find out more about international adoption law, go to the Hague Convention on Private International Law website.

Children available for intercountry adoption tend to be older and have grown up in institutions. They may have significant medical, disability, family background and trauma related needs.

Contact

Contact the Adoption Unit.