Australian Capital Territory
Adoption (Fees) Determination 2014 (No 1)
Disallowable instrument DI2014-199
made under the  
Adoption Act 1993, section 118 (Determination of Fees)
EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The Adoptions Act 1993 commenced operation on 1 July 1993.  The Act provides the legal framework for adoptions in the ACT.
 
Section 118 of the Act provides for fees to be determined in respect of these services.  Fees are charged in respect of Overseas Adoption as this program is not viewed as a service to children of the ACT community.  Fees assist in part reimbursement of the infrastructure necessary to maintain an overseas adoption program.  

Fees are charged for Step parent adoption as these services are viewed as non-essential as a range of alternative options are available to these children through Family Law provisions.

There are five different Adoption fees:  

Overseas Adoption – this type of adoption is for families residing in the ACT wishing to adopt a child or children born overseas.  Overseas adoption attracts four of the components at four different stages of the process:

•	Information Seminar
•	Administrative
•	Home Study
•	Post Placement Visits and Reports

Step Parent Adoption – this type of adoption is for families residing in the ACT wishing to adopt a relative child.  Step parent adoption attracts only one fee:

•	Step Parent Fee

Under Division 81 Determinations of the GST legislation, adoption fees do not attract GST.

In accordance with Part 6.3 Legislation Act 2001 (Making of certain statutory instruments about fees), all mandatory conditions have been met.  Applicable mandatory conditions are: 
56 (5) the determination
(a) must provide by whom the fee is payable; (intercountry and step parent adoption applicants) and
(b) must provide to whom the fee is paid (Office for Children, Youth and Family Support, Community Services Directorate).

The Office for Children, Youth and Family Support has increased these ongoing fees and charges for the 2014-2015 financial year by the Wage Price Index (WPI) of 3%.  

Old Rate (13/14)		New Rate (14/15)
•	Administrative Fee			$1,518.22			$1,563.76
•	Home Study				$2,575.23			$2,652.48
•	Post Placement Visits and Reports	$1,044.88			$1,076.22
•	Step Parent Reports			   $919.09			   $946.66
•	Information Seminar			   $311.14			   $320.47