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 criteria of the country you want to adopt from.

You must also meet the suitability requirements. To find out more, read the adopting a child in the Northern Territory fact sheet PDF (163.8 KB).

Partner countries

The NT has established legal arrangements in place with the following countries:

• India
• Taiwan
• Philippines
• Thailand
• Columbia
• South Korea.

For a full list of partner countries available in Australia, go to the Australian Government's intercountry adoption website.

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 country.

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, family background and trauma related special needs.

Contact

Contact the Adoptions Unit.