Queensland Consolidated Acts

ADOPTION OF CHILDREN ACT 1964 - SECT 13

The chief executive shall not make an adoption order in favour of a prospective adopter who or in favour of prospective adopters either of whom--

(a) has not attained the age of 21 years; or

(b) being male, is less than 18 years older than the child concerned or, being female, is less than 16 years older than the child concerned; or

unless--

(c) in the case of a sole prospective adopter--the prospective adopter is the spouse of a parent of the child concerned, whether natural or adoptive; or

(d) in the case of a married couple--1 of them is a parent of the child concerned, whether natural or adoptive; or

(e) in the case of the child concerned being a special needs child--the chief executive is of the opinion that the making of the order would be for the welfare and in the interests of the child; or

(f) in any case--the chief executive is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances that justify making the order.