Victorian Consolidated Legislation

Adoption Act 1984 - SECT 13

Approval of persons to adopt children

13. Approval of persons to adopt children



(1) Persons capable of making an application under section 10A(a) for an
adoption order under section 11 may apply to the Secretary or the principal
officer of an approved agency for approval as fit and proper persons to adopt
a child.

(2) An application is to be made in accordance with the regulations.

(3) The Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency may approve
applicants under subsection (1) as fit and proper persons to adopt a child if
the applicants satisfy the prescribed requirements relating to approval of
applicants.

(4) Subject to subsection (5), the Secretary or the principal officer of an
approved agency may revoke an approval given by the Secretary or principal
officer (as the case requires) under subsection (3).

(5) The Secretary or the principal officer of an approved agency must not
refuse, or defer the making of a decision on, an application for approval or
revoke an approval, unless the Secretary or principal officer has-

   (a)  notified the applicant or approved person (as the case requires) in
        writing of the reasons for the refusal, deferment or revocation; and

   (b)  given the applicant or approved person a reasonable opportunity to
        make a written or oral submission to the Secretary or principal
        officer.