Adoption Services

Information on adoption in Western Australia.
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Adoption Services provide support and services for children and adults where an adoption is being considered or has occurred. The paramount consideration guiding our service is the best interests of the child.

Adoption Services is responsible for all adoptions in Western Australia. We are a part of the Department of Communities, the only agency in Western Australia that can arrange adoptions.

Adoption Services provide support and information to people seeking access to information and adoption records – post adoption information and support.

Adoption Services also support people seeking an adoption. This includes parents considering adoption for their child, people who want to adopt a child born in Western Australia or overseas, relatives wanting to adopt a child who is a family member, carers seeking to adopt the child they have been caring for, stepparents wishing to adopt their stepchild and adults who are seeking to be adopted.

Western Australia’s Adoption Act 1994 supports open adoption. This means recognising the rights of people affected by adoption to have access to information, connection to their cultural heritage, and contact with each other where this is possible.

Adoption support services

Services and supports for people involved in adoption.

Post adoption information and support

Support and information for those impacted by an adoption once an Adoption Order has been granted.
Photo of a memorial sculpture called Empty Arms – Broken Lives, representing mothers separated from their children by adoption. It includes a sculpture of a baby and a crying mother

Historical forced adoptions

Support and information on historical forced adoption in Western Australia.

Considering adopting a child

What it means to be an adoptive parent and how to apply.

Considering adoption for your child

Information and support if you are thinking about placing your child for adoption.

Intercountry adoption

Adopting a child from overseas.

Legislation, data and principles

Information about Western Australia’s adoption legislation and adoption data, and Australia’s national adoption principles.

Announcements

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