Costs
The NSW Government sets the fees for local and intercountry adoptions as well as permanent care in NSW.
Out-of-home care adoption costs
There are no fees for foster carers who adopt a child in their care.
Local adoption costs
The approximate cost for local adoptions in NSW can exceed $3,000. This amount includes both departmental and legal fees.
Non-government organisations (NGOs) that offer local adoption services in NSW set their own fees. You will need to check the costs with each organisation.
Learn more about the costs for local adoption at the Department of Communities and Justice.
Intercountry adoption costs
Fees for intercountry adoption are approximately $10,000.
There are also other costs involved, such as:
- airline travel
- overseas accommodation
- preparing documents including translation and legal fees.
Costs also vary between the overseas countries involved in an adoption.
The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) has a Hardship Policy that helps lower-income families with the expense of adopting a child from overseas.
Learn more about the costs of intercountry adoption at the Department of Communities and Justice.