ADOPTION ACT 1993 - NOTES
ADOPTION ACT 1993 - NOTES
Dictionary
(see s 2)
Note 1 The Legislation Act
contains definitions and other provisions relevant to this Act.
Note 2 For example, the Legislation Act
, dict, pt 1, defines the following terms:
• ACAT
• administrative unit
• civil union
• contravene
• director-general (see s 163)
• document
• domestic partner (see s 169 (1))
• Executive
• file
• function
• instrument (see s 14)
• parent
• proceeding
• public trustee and guardian
• reviewable decision notice
• Supreme Court.
"Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child or young person"
means a child or young person at least 1 of whose parents is a person
who—
(a) is a descendant of an Aboriginal person or a Torres Strait Islander
person; and
(b) identifies as an Aboriginal person or a Torres Strait Islander person;
and
(c) is accepted as an Aboriginal person or a Torres Strait Islander person
by an Aboriginal community or Torres Strait Islander community.
"adoption compliance certificate "means—
(a) in division 4A.2—a certification (however described) issued in
accordance with the Convention, article 23; or
(b) in division 4A.3—a document issued in accordance with the
Commonwealth Bilateral Arrangements Regulations.
adoption order means an order for the adoption of a person
made under this Act.
"adoptive relative", for part 5 (Access to
information)—see section 58.
"associated person", for part 5 (Access to
information)—see section 58.
"Australia" includes an external Territory.
"birth parent", for part 5 (Access to information)—see
section 58.
"birth relative", for part 5 (Access to information)—see
section 58.
"central authority, "for a Convention country, means an entity
designated for the Convention country under the Convention,
article 6.
"charitable organisation" means a body carried on for a
charitable, benevolent, philanthropic or religious purpose, other than a body
carried on for the financial benefit of its members.
"child", if age rather than descendancy is relevant, means a
person who is under 12 years old.
"Commonwealth Bilateral Arrangements Regulation" means the Family Law (Bilateral Arrangements—Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998
(Cwlth).
"Commonwealth central authority "has the same meaning as in the
Family Law (Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998
(Cwlth).
"competent authority" means—
(a) for a prescribed overseas jurisdiction—an entity in that country
responsible for approving the adoption of children or young people; and
(b) for the ACT—the director-general.
"contact veto register" means the register established under
section 79.
"Convention" means the Convention on Protection of Children and
Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption signed at the Hague on 29 May
1993, a copy of the English text of which is set out in schedule 1.
"Convention country"—see the Family Law (Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998
(Cwlth), regulation 4.
Note For the purposes of reg 4 Australia is not a Convention
country.
"country" includes part of a country.
"court" means the Supreme Court.
"disposition of property" includes the grant or exercise of a
power of appointment in respect of property.
"general consent "means a general consent under section 29
(2).
"guardian", in relation to a child or young person,
includes—
(a) a person having the custody of the child or young person under an
order of a court; and
(b) a person who is the guardian of the child or young person (whether to
the exclusion of, or in addition to, a parent or other guardian) under a law of
the Territory, the Commonwealth, a State or another Territory; and
(c) someone with parental responsibility for the long-term care, wellbeing
and development of the child or young person, whether by order of a court or
otherwise.
"identifying information", for part 5 (Access to
information)—see section 58.
"information", for part 5 (Access to information)—see
section 58.
"instrument of consent" means an instrument of consent to an
adoption under section 30.
"intercountry adoption" means the adoption—
(a) by a person habitually resident in the ACT of a non-citizen child or
young person from a country outside Australia; or
(b) by a person habitually resident in a country outside Australia of a
child or young person habitually resident in the ACT.
"interim order" means an order under section 50.
"limited consent "means a limited consent under section 29 (3).
"non-citizen child or young person "has the same meaning as
non-citizen child in the Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946
(Cwlth).
"prescribed overseas jurisdiction "means a jurisdiction
mentioned in the Commonwealth Bilateral Arrangements Regulation, schedule
1.
"principal officer", for a private adoption agency, means the
person stated as its principal officer in—
(a) its application for approval under section 81; or
(b) its latest notification to the director-general under section
83.
"private adoption agency" means a charitable organisation
approved as a private adoption agency under section 82.
"register of births" means the register under the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1997
.
"register of suitable people" means the register kept under
section 19.
"relative", of a child or young person, means a grandparent,
brother, sister, uncle or aunt of the child or young person, whether or not the
relationship is—
(a) traced through birth or depends on adoption; or
(b) for a brother or sister—of the whole blood or
half-blood.
"relevant administrative unit" means the administrative unit
that is the responsibility of the Minister for the time being administering this
Act.
"relevant authority", for part 5 (Access to
information)—see section 58.
"responsible person", in relation to an Aboriginal or Torres
Strait Islander child or young person, means—
(a) a person who, in accordance with the traditions and customs of the
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community of which the child or young
person is a member, has responsibility for, or an interest in, the wellbeing of
the child or young person; or
(b) if the child or young person is not in the custody of any person or is
in the custody of a person who is not either a parent of the child or young
person or a member of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community—a
person who, in accordance with the traditions and customs of the Aboriginal or
Torres Strait Islander community of which a parent of the child or young person
is or was a member, has responsibility for, or an interest in, the wellbeing of
the child or young person.
"reunion information register" means the register established
under section 80.
"reviewable decision", for part 7A (Notification and review of
decisions)—see section 102.
"service" means the adoption information service maintained
under section 77.
State central authority, for the ACT, means the authority
mentioned in section 55.
"step-parent, "of a child or young person, means a person
who—
(a) is not a parent of the child or young person; and
(b) whether married or not, has lived in a domestic partnership for not
less than 3 years with a parent of the child or young person.
"young person" means—
(a) a person who is 12 years old or older, but not yet an adult;
and
(b) in relation to an application for an adoption order—a person who
is an adult but for whom the application for an adoption order was filed in the
court before the person became an adult.
Note Adult is defined in the Legislation Act
, dict, pt 1.
Endnotes
1 About
the endnotes
Amending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and
the amendment history. Current modifications are not included in the
republished law but are set out in the endnotes.
Not all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001
, part 11.3 are annotated in the amendment history. Full details of any
amendments can be obtained from the Parliamentary Counsel's
Office.
Uncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The
details of these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced
expiries are underlined in the legislation history and amendment
history.
If all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of
renumbered provisions gives details of previous and current numbering.
The endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.
2 Abbreviation
key
A = Act
|
NI = Notifiable instrument
|
AF = Approved form
|
o = order
|
am = amended
|
om = omitted/repealed
|
amdt = amendment
|
ord = ordinance
|
AR = Assembly resolution
|
orig = original
|
ch = chapter
|
par = paragraph/subparagraph
|
CN = Commencement notice
|
pres = present
|
def = definition
|
prev = previous
|
DI = Disallowable instrument
|
(prev...) = previously
|
dict = dictionary
|
pt = part
|
disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative
|
r = rule/subrule
|
Assembly
|
reloc = relocated
|
div = division
|
renum = renumbered
|
exp = expires/expired
|
R[X] = Republication No
|
Gaz = gazette
|
RI = reissue
|
hdg = heading
|
s = section/subsection
|
IA = Interpretation Act 1967
|
sch = schedule
|
ins = inserted/added
|
sdiv = subdivision
|
LA = Legislation Act 2001
|
SL = Subordinate law
|
LR = legislation register
|
sub = substituted
|
LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act
1996
|
underlining = whole or part not
commenced
|
mod = modified/modification
|
or to be expired
|
3 Legislation
history
Adoption Act 1993 A1993-20
notified 2 April 1993 (Gaz 1993 No S46)
s 1, s 2 commenced 2 April 1993 (s 2
(1))
remainder (ss 3-121) commenced 31 July 1993 (s 2 (2) and
Gaz 1993 No 28)
as amended by
Acts Revision (Position of Crown) Act 1993
A1993-44 sch 2
notified 27 August 1993 (Gaz 1993 No
S165)
sch 2 commenced 27 August 1993 (s 2)
Registrar-General (Consequential Provisions) Act 1993
A1993-64 sch 1
notified 6 September 1993 (Gaz 1993 No
S172)
s 1, s 2 commenced 6 September 1993 (s 2
(1))
sch 1 commenced 1 October 1993 (s 2 (2) and see Gaz 1993
No S207)
Public Sector Management (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 1994
A1994-38 sch 1 pt 4
notified 30 June 1994 (Gaz 1994 No
S121)
s 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 1994 (s 2
(1))
sch 1 pt 4 commenced 1 July 1994 (s 2 (2) and see
Gaz 1994 No S142)
Administrative Appeals (Consequential Amendments) Act 1994
A1994-60 sch 1
notified 11 October 1994 (Gaz 1994 No
S197)
s 1, s 2 commenced 11 October 1994 (s 2
(1))
sch 1 commenced 14 November 1994 (s 2 (2) and see Gaz
1994 No S250)
Statute Law Revision (Penalties) Act 1994
A1994-81 sch
notified 29 November 1994 (Gaz 1994 No
S253)
s 1, s 2 commenced 29 November 1994 (s 2
(1))
sch commenced 29 November 1994 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1994 No
S269)
Statutory Offices (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1994
A1994-97 sch pt 1
notified 15 December 1994 (Gaz 1994 No
S280)
s 1, s 2 commenced 15 December 1994 (s 2
(1))
sch pt 1 commenced 15 December 1994 (s 2 (2) and Gaz
1994 No S293)
Legal Practitioners (Consequential Amendments) Act 1997
A1997-96 sch 1
notified 1 December 1997 (Gaz 1997 No
S380)
s 1, s 2 commenced 1 December 1997 (s 2
(1))
sch 1 commenced 1 June 1998 (s 2 (2))
Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration (Consequential Provisions) Act
1997
A1997-113 sch
notified 24 December 1997 (Gaz 1997 No
S420)
s 1, s 2 commenced 24 December 1997 (s 2
(1))
sch commenced 24 June 1998 (s 2 (2))
Statute Law Revision (Penalties) Act 1998
A1998-54 sch
notified 27 November 1998 (Gaz 1998 No
S207)
s 1, s 2 commenced 27 November 1998 (s 2
(1))
sch commenced 9 December 1998 (s 2 (2) and Gaz 1998 No
49)
Children and Young People (Consequential Amendments) Act 1999
A1999-64 sch 2
notified 10 November 1999 (Gaz 1999 No
45)
s 1, s 2 commenced 10 November 1999 (s 2
(1))
sch 2 commenced 10 May 2000 (s 2 (2))
Legislation (Consequential Amendments) Act 2001
A2001-44 pt 7
notified 26 July 2001 (Gaz 2001 No 30)
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 July 2001 (IA s
10B)
pt 7 commenced 12 September 2001 (s 2 and see Gaz 2001
No S65)
Parentage Act 2004
A2004-1 sch 1 pt 1.2
notified LR 18 February 2004
s 1, s 2 commenced 18 February 2004 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 1 pt 1.2 commenced 22 March 2004 (s 2 and CN2004-3
)
Criminal Code (Theft, Fraud, Bribery and Related Offences) Amendment Act 2004
A2004-15 sch 2 pt 2.2
notified LR 26 March 2004
s 1, s 2 commenced 26 March 2004 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 2 pt 2.2 commenced 9 April 2004 (s 2
(1))
Public Advocate Act 2005
A2005-47 sch 1 pt 1.1 (as am by A2006-3
amdt 1.8)
notified LR 2 September 2005
s 1, s 2 commenced 2 September 2005 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 1 pt 1.1 commenced 1 March 2006 (s 2 (1) as am by A2006-3
amdt 1.8)
Human Rights Commission Legislation Amendment Act 2006
A2006-3 amdt
1.8
notified LR 22 February 2006
s 1, s 2 commenced 22 February 2006 (LA s 75
(1))
amdt 1.8 commenced 23 February 2006 (s
2)
Note This Act only amends the Public Advocate Act 2005
A2005-47
Civil Unions Act 2006
A2006-22 sch 1 pt 1.2
notified LR 19 May 2006
s 1, s 2 commenced 19 May 2006 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 1 pt 1.2 never commenced
Note Act repealed by disallowance 14
June 2006 (see Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93)
Justice and Community Safety Legislation Amendment Act 2006
A2006-40 sch 2 pt 2.4
notified LR 28 September 2006
s 1, s 2 commenced 28 September 2006 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 2 pt 2.4 commenced 29 September 2006 (s 2
(1))
Children and Young People (Consequential Amendments) Act 2008
A2008-20 sch 3 pt 3.1
notified LR 17 July 2008
s 1, s 2 commenced 17 July 2008 (LA s 75
(1))
s 3 commenced 18 July 2008 (s 2 (1))
sch 3 pt 3.1 commenced 27 October 2008 (s 2 (4) and see
Children
and Young People Act 2008
A2008-19, s 2 and CN2008-13
)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2008
A2008-28 sch 3 pt 3.1
notified LR 12 August 2008
s 1, s 2 commenced 12 August 2008 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 3 pt 3.1 commenced 26 August 2008 (s
2)
ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Legislation Amendment Act 2008 (No 2)
A2008-37 sch 1 pt 1.2
notified LR 4 September 2008
s 1, s 2 commenced 4 September 2008 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 1 pt 1.2 commenced 2 February 2009 (s 2 (1) and see
ACT Civil
and Administrative Tribunal Act 2008
A2008-35, s 2 (1) and CN2009-2
)
Adoption Amendment Act 2009
A2009-6
notified LR 5 March 2009
s 1, s 2 commenced 5 March 2009 (LA s 75
(1))
remainder commenced 6 March 2009 (s 2)
Adoption Amendment Act 2009 (No 2)
A2009-36
notified LR 22 October 2009
s 1, s 2 commenced 22 October 2009 (LA s 75
(1))
remainder commenced 22 April 2010 (s 2 and LA s
79)
Administrative (One ACT Public Service Miscellaneous Amendments) Act 2011
A2011-22 sch 1 pt 1.5
notified LR 30 June 2011
s 1, s 2 commenced 30 June 2011 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 1 pt 1.5 commenced 1 July 2011 (s 2
(1))
Evidence (Consequential Amendments) Act 2011
A2011-48 sch 1 pt 1.2
notified LR 22 November 2011
s 1, s 2 commenced 22 November 2011 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 1 pt 1.2 commenced 1 March 2012 (s 2 (1) and see Evidence Act 2011
A2011-12, s 2 and CN2012-4
)
Civil Unions Act 2012
A2012-40 sch 3 pt 3.2
notified LR 4 September 2012
s 1, s 2 commenced 4 September 2012 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 3 pt 3.2 commenced 11 September 2012 (s
2)
Protection of Rights (Services) Legislation Amendment Act 2016 (No 2)
A2016-13 sch 1 pt 1.2
notified LR 16 March 2016
s 1, s 2 commenced 16 March 2016 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 1 pt 1.2 commenced 1 April 2016 (s 2 and see Protection of Rights (Services) Legislation Amendment Act 2016
A2016-1 s 2)
Children and Young People Legislation Amendment Act 2016
A2016-38 pt 2
notified LR 22 June 2016
s 1, s 2 commenced 22 June 2016 (LA s 75
(1))
pt 2 commenced 23 June 2016 (s 2)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2017
A2017-4 sch 3 pt 3.3
notified LR 23 February 2017
s 1, s 2 commenced 23 February 2017 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 3 pt 3.3 commenced 9 March 2017 (s
2)
Statute Law Amendment Act 2019
A2019-42 sch 3 pt 3.2
notified LR 31 October 2019
s 1, s 2 commenced 31 October 2019 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 3 pt 3.2 commenced 14 November 2019 (s 2
(1))
Adoption Amendment Act 2020
A2020-39
notified LR 20 August 2020
s 1, s 2 commenced 20 August 2020 (LA s 75
(1))
remainder commenced 1 September 2020 (s
2)
Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Amendment Act 2020
A2020-40 sch 1
notified LR 20 August 2020
s 1, s 2 commenced 20 August 2020 (LA s 75
(1))
sch 1 commenced 20 August 2021 (s 2
(2))
4 Amendment
history
Long
Title
long title sub A2009-36
s 4
Dictionary
s
2 om A2001-44
amdt
1.48
ins A2008-28
amdt 3.8
Notes
s
3 om A1999-64
sch
2
ins A2008-28
amdt 3.8
Objects and
principles
pt 1A hdg ins A2009-36
s 5
Objects of
Act
s 4 defs reloc to dict A2008-28
amdt
3.7
om A2008-28
amdt
3.8
ins A2009-36
s 5
def
community advocate om A2005-47
amdt
1.1
def determined fee om
A2001-44
amdt
1.49
def Director sub A1994-97
sch pt
1
om A1999-64
sch
2
def file om A2006-40
amdt
2.48
def repealed laws om
A2008-28
amdt 3.6
Best interests of child or young person
paramount consideration
s 5 om A1993-44
sch
2
ins A2009-36
s 5
sub
A2020-39
s 4
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child
or young person—additional
requirements
s 6 sub A2009-36
s 5
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Who can be
adopted?
div 3.1 hdg (prev pt 3 div 1
hdg) renum as div 3.1 hdg R4 LA
sub A2009-36
s 6
Adoption of child or young
person
s 9 am A2004-1
amdt 1.2, amdt 1.3; A2006-40
amdt
2.49
sub A2009-36
s 6
Adoption of person 18 years old or
older
s 10 am A2009-6
s 4
sub
A2009-36
s 6; A2020-39
s 5
Previous adoption
immaterial
s 11 sub A2009-36
s 6
Frustration of immigration
law
s 12 sub A2009-36
s 6
Who can
adopt?
div 3.2 hdg orig div 3.2
hdg
(prev pt 3 div 2 hdg) renum as
div 3.2 hdg and then renum as div 3.3
hdg
pres div 3.2
hdg
ins A2009-36
s 6
Residency
requirement
s 13 hdg sub A2006-22
amdt 1.8 (A2006-22
rep before commenced by disallowance (see
Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93))
s 13 am A2006-22
amdt 1.9 (A2006-22
rep before commenced by disallowance (see
Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93))
sub A2009-6
s 5; A2009-36
s 6
Additional requirements for adoption of
child or young person
s 14 sub A2009-36
s 6
am
A2012-40
amdt
3.9
sub A2016-38
s 4
Adoption by
step-parent
s 15 am A1999-64
sch
2
sub A2009-36
s 6
om
A2016-38
s 4
Adoption by one
person
s 16 am A1999-64
sch
2
sub A2009-36
s 6
om
A2016-38
s 4
Adoption by
relative
s 17 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2008-20
amdt 3.1; A2008-37
amdt
1.9
sub A2009-36
s 6
om
A2016-38
s 4
Approval of suitable
people
s 18 am A2004-1
amdts 1.4-1.6; A2006-22
amdt 1.10, amdt 1.11 (A2006-22
rep before commenced by disallowance (see
Cwlth Gaz 2006 No S93))
sub A2009-36
s 6
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Register of suitable
people
s 19 am A1999-64
sch
2
sub A2009-36
s 6
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Overseas
child
s 20 om A2009-36
s 6
Aboriginal
child
s 21 om A2009-36
s 6
Notice of application for adoption
order
s 22 sub A2006-40
amdt
2.50
am A2008-28
amdt
3.9
om A2009-36
s 6
Parties to
proceedings
s 23 om A2009-36
s 6
Notification to chief executive of adoption
order
s 24 am A1999-64
sch
2
om A2009-36
s 6
Alternative orders on refusal of adoption
order
s 25 am A1999-64
sch
2
om A2009-36
s 6
Consents to
adoptions
div 3.3 hdg orig div 3.3
hdg
(prev pt 3 div 3 hdg) renum as
div 3.3 hdg and then renum as div 3.7
hdg
pres div 3.3
hdg
(prev pt 3 div 2 hdg) renum as
div 3.2 hdg R4 LA and then renum as div 3.3 hdg (see A2009-36
s 7)
Consents of parents and
guardians
s 26 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2005-47
amdt 1.2; A2006-40
amdt 2.51; A2008-28
amdt
3.10
om A2009-36
s 6
ins
A2009-36
s 8
Information for certain parents considering
consent
s 27 am A2004-1
amdt
1.7
sub A2009-36
s 8
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
General or limited
consents
s 29 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 9, s 72; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Instrument of
consent
s 30 sub A2001-44
amdt 1.50
Revocation of
consent
s 31 am A1999-64
sch
2
sub A2006-40
amdt
2.52
am A2009-36
s 10, s 11, s 72; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Access during revocation
period
s 32 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 12, s 72; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Consents under law of a State or another
Territory
s 33 am A2009-36
s 72
Defective
consents
s 34 am A2009-36
s 13
Dispensing with
consent
s 35 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2008-28
amdt 3.11; A2009-36
s 14, s 72; A2011-22
amdt 1.25; A2020-39
s 6; ss renum R23 LA
Placement of child or young person before
adoption
div 3.4 hdg orig div 3.4
hdg
(prev pt 3 div 4 hdg) renum as
div 3.4 hdg and then renum as div 3.8
hdg
pres div 3.4
hdg
ins A2009-36
s 15
Placement of child or young person before
adoption
s 35A ins A2009-36
s 15
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Consultation with child or young person
before deciding placement
s 35B ins A2009-36
s 15
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Guardianship before
adoption
div 3.5 hdg orig div 3.5
hdg
(prev pt 3 div 5 hdg) renum as
div 3.5 hdg and then renum as div 3.9
hdg
pres div 3.5
hdg
ins A2009-36
s 16
Guardianship before
adoption
s 36 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2008-20
amdt
3.2
sub A2009-36
s 17
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25; A2016-38
s 5
Guardianship of non-citizen child or young
person
s 37 am A1999-64
sch
2
sub A2009-36
s 17
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Transfer of guardianship of child or young
person until adoption
s 38 hdg am A2009-36
s 72
s
38 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 72, s 74; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Review of status of child or young person
released for adoption
s 39 hdg am A2009-36
s 72
s
39 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 18, s 72; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Proceedings for an adoption
order
div 3.6 hdg ins A2009-36
s 19
Application for adoption
order
s 39A ins A2009-36
s 19
Notice of application for adoption
order
s 39B ins A2009-36
s 19
Parties to
proceeding
s 39C ins A2009-36
s 19
Report on proposed
adoption
s 39D ins A2009-36
s 19
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Consultation with child or young person
before adoption order made
s 39E ins
A2009-36
s 19
am
A2009-36
s 72; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Deciding application for adoption order for
child or young person
s 39F ins A2009-36
s 19
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child
or young person
s 39G ins A2009-36
s 19
Adoption of non-citizen child or young
person
s 39H ins A2009-36
s 19
Deciding application for adoption order for
person 18 years old or older
s
39I ins A2009-36
s 19
Notification to director-general of adoption
order
s 39J hdg am A2011-22
amdt
1.25
s 39J ins A2009-36
s 19
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Alternative orders on refusal of adoption
order
s 39K ins A2009-36
s 19
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Discharge of adoption
order
s 39L ins A2009-36
s 19
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25; A2017-4
amdt 3.4
Conditional
orders
div 3.7 hdg (prev pt 3 div 3
hdg) renum as div 3.3 hdg R4 LA and then renum as div 3.7 hdg (see A2009-36
s 20)
Adoption order subject to certain
conditions
s 40 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 72; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Amendment of adoption
condition
s 41 hdg sub A2006-40
amdt
2.53
s 41 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2006-40
amdts 2.54-2.56; A2009-36
s 21, s 72; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Cessation of
condition
s 42 am A2006-40
amdt 2.57; A2009-36
s 72
Effect of adoption
orders
div 3.8 hdg (prev pt 3 div 4
hdg) renum as div 3.4 hdg R4 LA and then renum as div 3.8 hdg (see A2009-36
s 22)
General
effect
s 43 am A2009-36
s 23
Disposition of
property
s 44 am A2008-28
amdt 3.12
Names of adopted child or young
person
s 45 am A2004-1
amdt
1.8
sub A2009-36
s 24
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25; A2020-39
s 7
Effect of order on
domicile
s 46 am A2009-36
s 72, s 73
Distribution of property by trustee or
personal representative
s 47 am A2009-36
s 25
Bequest by will to unascertained adopted
person
s 48 am A1999-64
s 4 sch 2; A2004-1
amdt 1.9, amdt 1.10; A2011-22
amdt 1.25; A2016-13
amdt 1.3
Gifts between living
people
s 49 am A2004-1
amdt 1.11, amdt 1.12
Interim
orders
div 3.9 hdg (prev pt 3 div 5
hdg) renum as div 3.5 hdg R4 LA and then renum as div 3.9 hdg (see A2009-36
s 26)
Making of
order
s 50 am A2009-36
s 27, s 72
Discharge
s
52 am A2009-36
s 72
Recognition of Australian
adoptions
pt 4 hdg sub A2009-36
s 28
Recognition of Australian
adoptions
s 53 sub A2009-36
s 28
Intercountry and overseas
adoption
pt 4A hdg ins A2009-36
s 28
Preliminary
div
4A.1 hdg ins A2009-36
s 28
Adoptions outside
Australia—general
s 54 sub A2009-36
s 28
State central
authority
s 55 am A1999-64
sch
2
sub A2009-36
s 28
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Functions of State central
authority
s 56 am A1999-64
sch
2
sub A2009-36
s 28
Convention on intercountry
adoption
div 4A.2 hdg ins A2009-36
s 28
Adoption under
Convention
sdiv 4A.2.1 hdg ins A2009-36
s 28
Adoption in ACT of ACT child or young person
by parents from Convention country
s
57 sub A2009-36
s 28
Report on child for intercountry
adoption
s 57A ins A2009-36
s 28
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Adoption in ACT of child or young person
from Convention country by ACT
parents
s 57B ins A2009-36
s 28
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Issue of adoption compliance
certificate
s 57C ins A2009-36
s 28
Recognition under
Convention
sdiv 4A.2.2 hdg ins A2009-36
s 28
Recognition of adoption of child or young
person from Convention country in that
country
s 57D ins A2009-36
s 28
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Recognition of adoption of child or young
person from Convention country to another Convention
country
s 57E ins A2009-36
s 28
Effect of
recognition
s 57F ins A2009-36
s 28
Refusal to recognise adoption or
decision
s 57G ins A2009-36
s 28
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Order terminating legal relationship between
child or young person and parents
s
57H ins A2009-36
s 28
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Evidential value of adoption compliance
certificate
s 57I ins A2009-36
s 28
Bilateral arrangements for intercountry
adoptions
div 4A.3 hdg ins A2009-36
s 28
Adoption in ACT of child or young person
from prescribed overseas jurisdiction by ACT
parents
s 57J ins A2009-36
s 28
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Evidential value of adoption compliance
certificate—div 4A.3
s
57K ins A2009-36
s 28
Recognition of other overseas
adoptions
div 4A.4 hdg ins A2009-36
s 28
Recognition of adoption order made outside
Australia
s 57L ins A2009-36
s 28
Declaration of validity of adoption order
made outside Australia
s 57M ins A2009-36
s 28
General
div
5.1 hdg (prev pt 5 div 1 hdg) renum as div 5.1 hdg R4 LA
Definitions—pt
5
s 58 am A1993-64
; A1997-113
; A1999-64
sch
2
def associated person sub
A2009-36
s
29
def birth parent sub A2004-1
amdt 1.13; A2009-36
s
29
def birth relative sub
A2009-36
s
29
def identifying information
sub A2009-36
s
29
def relevant authority
am A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Application—pt
5
s 59 sub A2009-36
s 30
Confidentiality of
records
s 60 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 31; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Records of
adoptions
s 61 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 32; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Provision of
information
s 62 am A1993-64
; A1997-113
; A1999-64
sch 2; A2011-22
amdt 1.21, amdt 1.25; A2020-40
amdt 1.1, amdt 1.2
Non-identifying
information
div 5.2 hdg (prev pt 5 div
2 hdg) renum as div 5.2 hdg R4 LA
Identifying
information
div 5.3 hdg (prev pt 5 div
3 hdg) renum as div 5.3 hdg R4 LA
Recipient of
application
s 67 am A1993-64
; A1999-64
sch 2; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Restriction on entitlement to
apply
s 68 am A1993-64
; A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
ss 33-38; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Assistance in obtaining
approval
s 69 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Objection to contact—adoptions before
Adoption Amendment Act 2009
(No 2)
s 70 am A1999-64
sch
2
sub A2009-36
s 39
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Contact veto by person other than adopted
person—adoptions before Adoption Amendment Act 2009 (No
2)
s 71 sub A2009-36
s 40
Counselling
services
s 72 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2001-44
amdt 1.51, amdt 1.52; R4 LA (see A2001-44
amdt 1.53); A2009-36
s 41; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Declaration that contact not be
attempted
s 73 am A1999-64
sch
2
sub A2009-36
s 42
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Birth details of adopted person born
overseas
s 74 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
ss 43-45; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Application to court in absence of
consent
s 75 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Other person's right to
information
s 76 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Family information
service
s 77 hdg sub A2009-36
s 46
s
77 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 47; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Adoption information
register
s 78 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Contact veto
register
s 79 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Reunion information
register
s 80 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2001-44
amdt 1.54, amdt 1.55; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Application for
approval
s 81 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 74; A2011-22
amdt 1.25; A2016-38
s 6
Grant or refusal of
approval
s 82 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 74; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Change in principal
officer
s 83 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Revocation or suspension of
approval
s 85 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 74; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Effect of cessation of approved
agency
s 86 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 72; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Territorial application of pt
7
s 88 am A2009-36
s 74
Taking away etc of adopted child or young
person by birth parent
s 89 hdg am A2009-36
s 72
s
89 am A1994-81
; A2009-36
s 72
Receiving or harbouring child or young
person
s 90 hdg am A2009-36
s 72
s
90 am A1994-81
; A2009-36
s 72
Interfering with upbringing of child or
young person
s 91 hdg am A2009-36
s 72
s
91 am A1994-81
; A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 48, s 72; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Approval of
communications
s 92 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Director-general's report for
prosecution
s 93 hdg sub A2011-22
amdt
1.22
s 93 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Payments in consideration of adoptions
etc
s 94 am A1994-81
; A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 72; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Unauthorised arrangements for
adoption
s 95 am A1994-81
; A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 72; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Unauthorised
advertising
s 96 am A1994-81
; A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 72; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Restriction on publication of identity of
parties
s
97 am
A1994-81
; A2009-36
s 72
False
statements
s
98 am
A1994-81
om A2004-15
amdt 2.7
Personation of person whose consent to
adoption is required
s
99 am
A1994-81
; A2009-36
s 72
Presenting consent obtained by fraud
etc
s 100 hdg sub A2004-15
amdt
2.8
s
100 am
A1994-81
; A2004-15
amdt 2.9
Improperly witnessing
consent
s
101 am
A1994-81
; A2009-36
s 72
Notification and review of
decisions
pt 7A hdg ins A2008-37
amdt 1.10
Meaning of reviewable
decision—pt 7A
s
102 am
A1994-81
; A1999-64
sch
2
om A2004-15
amdt
2.10
ins A2008-37
amdt 1.10
Reviewable decision
notices
s 103 am A1999-64
sch
2
om A2005-47
amdt
1.3
ins A2008-37
amdt
1.10
am A2009-36
s 72, s 73; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Applications for
review
s 103A ins A2008-37
amdt 1.10
Registration of
orders
s 104 am A1993-64
; A2001-44
amdt 1.56; A2009-36
s 49
Memoranda of orders
interstate
s 105 am A1993-64
; A1997-113
; A2001-44
amdt 1.57, amdt 1.58
Particulars of interstate
orders
s 106 am A1993-64
; A2009-36
s 50
Legal representation of child or young
person
s 107 hdg am A2009-36
s 72
s
107 am A2009-36
s 72
Notification to
parents
s 108 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2009-36
s 72; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Financial support of adopted children and
young people
s 108A ins A2009-36
s 51
am
A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Notice of
decisions
s 109 am A1993-64
; A1994-60
; A1999-64
sch
2
om A2008-37
amdt 1.11
Review by administrative appeals
tribunal
s 110 am A1999-64
sch
2
om A2008-37
amdt 1.11
Authority to
prosecute
s 111 am A2001-44
amdt 1.59, amdt 1.60
Hearings to be in
camera
s 112 am A1997-96
Contents of reports not to be
disclosed
s 113 am A2009-36
s 52
Director-general may appear at
hearings
s 115 hdg am A2011-22
amdt
1.25
s 115 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Judicial notice of
signatures
s 117 am A1999-64
sch 2; A2011-22
amdt
1.25
om A2011-48
amdt 1.2
Determination of
fees
s 118 sub A2001-44
amdt 1.61
Fees
payable
s 119 om A2001-44
amdt 1.61
Transitional
provisions
s 120 om A2008-28
amdt 3.13
Approved
forms
s 120A ins A2001-44
amdt
1.62
(4)-(7) exp 12 September 2002 (s
120A (7))
Regulation-making
power
s 121 am A1998-54
; A1999-64
sch
2
sub A2001-44
amdt
1.63
am A2009-36
s 53, s 72; A2011-22
amdt 1.25
Review of certain amendments made by
Adoption Amendment Act 2020
s 122 ins
A2020-39
s 8
exp
1 September 2023 (s 122 (3))
Transitional—Adoption Amendment Act
2009 (No 2)
pt 20 hdg ins A2009-36
s
54
exp 22 April 2012 (s 206 (1) (LA s 88
declaration applies))
Definitions—pt
20
s 200 ins A2009-36
s
54
exp 22 April 2012 (s 206 (1) (LA s 88
declaration applies))
def amended
Act ins A2009-36
s
54
exp 22 April 2012 (s 206 (1) (LA s 88
declaration applies))
def amending
Act ins A2009-36
s
54
exp 22 April 2012 (s 206 (1) (LA s 88
declaration applies))
def
commencement day ins A2009-36
s
54
exp 22 April 2012 (s 206 (1) (LA s 88
declaration applies))
def
pre-amendment Act ins A2009-36
s
54
exp 22 April 2012 (s 206 (1) (LA s 88
declaration applies))
Proceeding not completed before commencement
day
s 201 ins A2009-36
s
54
exp 22 April 2012 (s 206 (1) (LA s 88
declaration applies))
Consents to which s 34 (3)
applies
s 202 ins A2009-36
s
54
exp 22 April 2012 (s 206 (1) (LA s 88
declaration applies))
Request for placement not decided before
commencement day
s 203 ins A2009-36
s
54
exp 22 April 2012 (s 206 (1) (LA s 88
declaration applies))
Placement in force before commencement
day
s 204 ins A2009-36
s
54
exp 22 April 2012 (s 206 (1) (LA s 88
declaration applies))
Transitional
regulations
s 205 ins A2009-36
s
54
exp 22 April 2012 (s 206 (1) (LA s 88
declaration applies))
Expiry—pt
20
s 206 ins A2009-36
s
54
exp 22 April 2012 (s 206 (1) (LA s 88
declaration applies))
Convention on Protection of Children and
Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry
Adoption
sch 1 ins A2009-36
s 55
Dictionary
dict ins
A2008-28
amdt
3.14
am A2008-37
amdt 1.12, amdt 1.13; A2009-36
s 56; A2011-22
amdt 1.23, amdt 1.24; A2012-40
amdt 3.10; A2016-13
amdt 1.4
def Aboriginal child
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
om A2009-36
s
57
def Aboriginal or Torres Strait
Islander child or young person ins A2009-36
s
58
sub A2019-42
amdt
3.2
def Aborigine reloc
from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
om A2009-36
s
59
def adoption compliance
certificate ins A2009-36
s
60
def adoption order sub
A2008-28
amdt
3.1
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
sub A2009-36
s
61
def adoptive relative
ins A2008-28
amdt
3.14
def associated person
ins A2008-28
amdt
3.14
def Australia reloc
from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
def birth parent ins A2008-28
amdt
3.14
def birth relative ins
A2008-28
amdt
3.14
def central authority
ins A2009-36
s
62
def charitable organisation
sub A2008-28
amdt
3.2
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
def child sub A2008-28
amdt
3.2
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
sub A2009-36
s
63
def Commonwealth Bilateral
Arrangements Regulation ins A2009-36
s
64
def Commonwealth central
authority ins A2009-36
s
64
def competent authority
ins A2009-36
s 64
am
A2011-22
amdt
1.25
def contact veto register
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
def Convention ins A2009-36
s
64
def Convention country
ins A2009-36
s
64
def country ins A2008-28
amdt
3.14
sub A2009-36
s
65
def court reloc from s 4
A2008-28
amdt
3.7
def disposition of property
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
def general consent sub
A2008-28
amdt
3.2
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
def guardian am A1999-64
sch
2
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
am A2009-36
s 66, s
72
def identifying information
ins A2008-28
amdt
3.14
def information ins A2008-28
amdt
3.14
def instrument of consent
sub A2008-28
amdt
3.2
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
def intercountry
adoption ins A2009-36
s
67
def interim order sub A2008-28
amdt
3.3
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
def limited consent sub
A2008-28
amdt
3.4
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
def non-citizen child or young
person ins A2009-36
s
68
def prescribed overseas
jurisdiction ins A2009-36
s
68
def principal officer am
A1999-64
sch
2
sub A2008-28
amdt
3.4
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
am A2011-22
amdt
1.25
def private adoption agency
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt 3.7
def register of
births ins A1997-113
sch
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
def register of suitable
people ins A2009-36
s
69
def relative sub A2008-28
amdt
3.5
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
am A2009-36
s
72
def relevant authority
ins A2008-28
amdt
3.14
def relevant administrative
unit am A1994-38
sch 1 pt
4
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
def responsible person
reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
sub A2009-36
s 70
am
A2019-42
amdt
3.3
def reunion information
register reloc from s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
def reviewable decision
ins A2008-37
amdt
1.14
def service reloc from
s 4 A2008-28
amdt
3.7
def State central
authority ins A2009-36
s
71
def step-parent ins A2009-36
s
71
def young person ins A2009-36
s 71
5 Earlier
republications
Some earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1
refers to the publication order.
Since 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published
in electronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of
authorised republications have also been published in printed format. These
republications are marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and
printed versions of an authorised republication are identical.
Republication No and date
|
Effective
|
Last amendment made by
|
Republication for
|
R0A
11
Aug 2003
|
27 Aug
1993–
30 Sept 1993
|
A1993-44 |
This Act may be affected by transitional or validating provisions that have
expired. The expiry does not affect any continuing operation of the provisions
(see Legislation Act 2001
Expired provisions are removed from the republished law when the expiry
takes effect and are listed in the amendment history using the abbreviation
‘exp' followed by the date of the expiry.
To find the expired provisions see the version of this Act before the
expiry took effect. The ACT legislation register has point-in-time versions of
this Act.