AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
ADOPTION (FEES)
DETERMINATION 2003 (No 179 )

DI 2003-179

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The Adoption Act 1993 commenced operation on 1 July 1993. The Act provides the legal framework for adoptions in the ACT and allows adult adopted persons, birth parents, relatives and adoptive parents to obtain identifying information in relation to their adoptions.

Section 62 of the Act enables the Director of Family Services to give information to eligible applicants.

Section 188 of the Act provides for fees to be determined in respect of these services.

NEW FEES AND CHARGES  

A new adoption by step-parent fee is proposed for applicants wishing to adopt step-children. Currently there is no charge for adoptions by step-parents.  This is inconsistent with other jurisdictions and the proposed fee is in line with other adoption fees charged by the Adoptions Unit. The process of adopting a step-child is understandably less complex than other adoptions and this is reflected in the proposed fee.

The proposed fee is in line with the per hour fee ($120) recommended by the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). The estimated preparation time for the processing of an application is approximately 6 hours, that is, 2 interviews with the family (1.5 hr each) and 3 hours for preparation of a report and administration, (6 hours @ $120  =  $720).  Your approval is sought to insert this new fee into  the schedule of Fees and Charges.

VARIATIONS TO EXISTING FEES
						2002-03	2003-04	Date of
						      $                      $                      Effect
ADOPTION

Information Seminar				    120   	                 120               1 July 2003 

Administrative Fee 	                                         1,134	              1,134               1 July 2003

Home Study					  1,920                1,920               1 July 2003 

Post Placement Visits and Reports		     369	                 800               1 July 2003

Step Parent Fee*				         0                   720               1 July 2003