New intercountry adoption program with Bulgaria

Today the Government is pleased to announce a new intercountry adoption program with Bulgaria.

For those children who are not able to be placed with families in Bulgaria, Australian families are now able to help provide permanent, loving homes.

Bulgaria has children in need of intercountry adoption, including children with special needs.

Australia looks forward to working with Bulgaria towards the best interests of Bulgarian children in need of adoption.

Adopting a child from overseas can be life changing, but there are also some unique challenges in the intercountry adoption process. That’s why, in May last year, the Government launched Intercountry Adoption Australia to help families navigate the process and access support when they need it, at any stage of their adoption journey.

In almost one year, this service has responded to more than 2000 enquiries for advice, support and referrals to other services. The website www.intercountryadoption.gov.au has received more than 450,000 page views by more than 94,000 visitors.

At the heart of our reforms is a commitment to safe and ethical adoption practices, with the best interests of the child remaining paramount at all times.

In November last year, Australia opened two new intercountry adoption programs with Poland and Latvia.

States and territories continue to be responsible for managing adoption applications and assessing eligibility for intercountry adoptions.

For more information on intercountry adoption, visit www.intercountryadoption.gov.au, or call Intercountry Adoption Australia on 1800 197 760.