Source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2004H01290
Timestamp: 2020-07-11 10:39:45
Document Index: 793066796

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 4']

Details: C2004H01290
- C2004H01290
SR 1998 No. 249 Regulations as amended, taking into account amendments up to SR 2000 No. 312
Start Date 29 Nov 2000
End Date 22 Dec 2003
C2004H01290
3A Headings of certain documents
4 Convention countries
Part 2 Commonwealth and State Central Authorities
Part 3 Accredited bodies
Part 4 Court orders and recognition of adoption
Part 5 Jurisdiction of courts
Schedule 1 The Convention
Schedule 2 Convention countries
Statutory Rules 1998 No. 249 as amended
This compilation was prepared on 29 November 2000
taking into account amendments up to SR 2000 No. 312
3A Headings of certain documents 6
4 Convention countries 7
5 Commonwealth Central Authority 8
6 Functions etc of Commonwealth Central Authority 8
7 Notice of designation of Commonwealth Central Authority 9
8 State Central Authorities 10
9 State Central Authorities — designation by Commonwealth 10
10 Notice of designation of State Central Authority 11
11 State Central Authorities and accredited bodies 12
12 Notice of accreditation 13
13 Notice of revocation 14
14 Adoption of Australian child into a Convention country 15
15 Adoption in Australia of a child from a Convention country 16
16 Adoption of a child from a Convention country to Australia 18
17 Adoption of a child from a Convention country to another Convention country 19
18 Effect of recognition of an adoption 19
19 Evidential value of adoption compliance certificate 19
20 Order terminating legal relationship between child and parents 20
21 Decision in a Convention country to convert an adoption 21
22 Refusal to recognise an adoption or an article 27 decision 22
23 Notice of application under regulation 22 23
24 Meaning of arising in a State or Territory 24
24A Jurisdiction of Family Court of Australia 24
24B Appeals may be made to Full Court of Family Court of Australia 24
24C Evidence given in an appeal 24
24D Time for instituting appeal 25
24E Orders that may be made on appeal 25
24F Appeals to High Court 25
25 Jurisdiction of courts — New South Wales 25
26 Jurisdiction of courts — Victoria 26
27 Jurisdiction of courts — Queensland 26
28 Jurisdiction of courts — South Australia 27
29 Jurisdiction of Family Court of Western Australia — Western Australia, Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands 28
30 Jurisdiction of courts — Tasmania 28
31 Jurisdiction of courts — Australian Capital Territory, Jervis Bay Territory, Heard and McDonald Islands and Australian Antarctic Territory 29
32 Jurisdiction of courts — Northern Territory and Ashmore and Cartier Islands 29
33 Jurisdiction of courts — Norfolk Island and the Coral Seas Islands Territory 30
34 Application 31
Schedule 1 The Convention 32
Schedule 2 Convention countries 48
Schedule 3 Forms 50
Form 1 Heading of documents for use in court proceedings 50
Form 2 Affidavit 51
Form 3 Application for order 53
Form 4 Notice of application 56
Form 5 Response to application 58
Form 6 Reply to response to application 59
Form 7 Adoption order — Australian child 60
Form 8 Adoption order — child from Convention country 61
Form 9 Order terminating parental relationship 62
Form 10 Declaration of non-recognition 63
These Regulations are the Family Law (Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998.
These Regulations commence on the day the Convention enters into force for Australia.
Note 1 See subsection 111C (2) of the Act.
Note 2 Not all the provisions of these Regulations necessarily apply to all States — see regulation 34.
accredited body means a body accredited, under the laws of a State and in accordance with the Commonwealth-State agreement, as an accredited body for the Convention.
adoption compliance certificate means a certificate issued in accordance with article 23 of the Convention.
Bureau means the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.
Central Authority means a person or office designated for a Convention country under article 6 of the Convention.
child means an individual who is under 18 years.
Commonwealth Central Authority has the meaning given by regulation 5.
Commonwealth-State agreement means the “Commonwealth-State agreement for the implementation of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption”:
(a) made between the Commonwealth and the States and Territories; and
(b) that commenced operation on 9 April 1998.
Convention means the Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption:
(a) mentioned in subsection 111C (1) of the Act; and
(b) a copy of the English text of which is set out in Schedule 1.
Convention country has the meaning given by regulation 4.
parental responsibility, in relation to a child, has the same meaning as in section 61B of the Act.
receiving State has the same meaning as in article 2 of the Convention.
State Central Authority has the meaning given by regulation 8.
State of origin has the same meaning as in article 2 of the Convention.
working day means a day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday.
Note The following expressions used in these Regulations are defined in the Act (see section 4):
· Territory.
(2) A reference in these Regulations to a form by number is a reference to the form so numbered in Schedule 3.
A document to be filed in, or issued out of, a court in proceedings that is in a form set out in Schedule 3:
(a) must be headed in accordance with Form 1; and
(b) may identify the proceedings in accordance with the rules of the court.
Subject to article 45 of the Convention, each of the following countries is a Convention country:
(a) a country mentioned in Schedule 2, on and from the date mentioned in relation to the country;
(b) any other country for which the Convention has entered into force, other than:
(ii) a country against whose accession Australia has raised an objection under article 44 of the Convention.
5 Commonwealth Central Authority
For article 6 of the Convention, the Secretary to the Department is designated:
(a) the Commonwealth Central Authority; and
(b) the Central Authority to which communication from a country other than Australia may be addressed.
6 Functions etc of Commonwealth Central Authority
(1) The functions of the Commonwealth Central Authority are to do, or to coordinate the doing of, anything that is necessary:
(a) to enable the performance of Australia’s obligations under the Convention; or
(b) to obtain for Australia any advantage or benefit under the Convention.
(2) For subregulation (1), the functions of the Commonwealth Central Authority include the following:
(a) cooperating with Central Authorities outside Australia on matters relating to the administration and implementation of the Convention;
(b) consulting State Central Authorities to get information for determining whether Australia is meeting its obligations under the Convention;
(c) to the extent that the legislation and administrative practices of States do not ensure that Australia meets its obligations under the Convention — preparing legislation to ensure that Australia meets those obligations;
(d) receiving advice from a State Central Authority that a provision of the Convention has not been respected in the State, and ensuring with the State Central Authority that appropriate measures are taken to ensure compliance with the provision;
(e) receiving advice from a State Central Authority that there is a serious risk that a provision of the Convention may not be respected in the State, and ensuring with the State Central Authority that appropriate measures are taken to ensure compliance with the provision;
(f) consulting State Central Authorities on matters relating to intercountry adoption.
(3) However, the functions of the Commonwealth Central Authority do not include the following:
(a) processing the day-to-day casework involved in a particular adoption;
(b) approving an application for the adoption of a child;
(c) giving consent to the adoption of a child;
(d) a function reserved, under the Commonwealth-State agreement, for a State or State Central Authority;
(e) accrediting a body for the Convention.
(4) The functions of the Commonwealth Central Authority under this regulation are additional to its other functions under these Regulations.
(5) Subject to subregulation (3), the Commonwealth Central Authority:
(a) has all of the duties of a Central Authority under the Convention; and
(b) may exercise all of the powers of a Central Authority under the Convention.
(6) If the exercise by the Commonwealth Central Authority of one of its functions (the Commonwealth function) would affect the exercise of a function of a State Central Authority, the Commonwealth Central Authority must consult the State Central Authority about the exercise of the Commonwealth function before it is exercised.
7 Notice of designation of Commonwealth Central Authority
(1) As soon as practicable after the commencement of these Regulations, the Commonwealth Central Authority must tell the Bureau, in writing, the Commonwealth Central Authority’s name, address and functions.
(2) As soon as practicable after a change to the name, address or functions of the Commonwealth Central Authority, the Commonwealth Central Authority must tell the Bureau, in writing, about the change.
8 State Central Authorities
(1) The State Central Authority for a State is the person:
(a) so designated by the State (if it has the capacity to do so) and notified to the Commonwealth Central Authority under subregulation 10 (1); or
(b) if a person is not designated under paragraph (a) — so designated by the Commonwealth, under regulation 9.
(2) A State Central Authority designated under regulation 9 ceases to be a State Central Authority under that regulation if the State concerned:
(a) designates a State Central Authority for the State; and
(b) tells the Commonwealth Central Authority about the designation under subregulation 10 (1).
9 State Central Authorities — designation by Commonwealth
(1) The Attorney-General of the Commonwealth may designate a person, in writing, as State Central Authority of a State for these Regulations.
(2) A person designated must be:
(a) the State Minister administering the laws of that State relating to adoptions; or
(b) a person holding, or for the time being performing the duties of, the office, in the department or service responsible for the administration of adoptions in the State, that supervises the conduct of those adoptions.
(3) A designation may be expressed to have effect only in the circumstances mentioned in the instrument of designation.
(4) As soon as practicable after the Attorney-General designates a State Central Authority, the Attorney-General must publish a notice of the designation in the Gazette.
(5) In this regulation, State Minister means:
(a) for a State — a Minister of the Crown for the State; and
(b) for a Territory — a Minister of the Crown for the Territory.
Note Subregulations 9 (1) and (2) do not necessarily apply to all States — see regulation 34.
10 Notice of designation of State Central Authority
(1) As soon as practicable after a State designates a State Central Authority, the State must tell the Commonwealth Central Authority, in writing, the name, address and functions of the State Central Authority.
(2) As soon as practicable after a change to the name, address or functions of a State Central Authority, the State concerned must tell the Commonwealth Central Authority, in writing, about the change.
(3) As soon as practicable after the Commonwealth Central Authority is given information under subregulation (1) or (2), it must give the Bureau the information, in writing.
(4) As soon as practicable after the Commonwealth Central Authority is told about a designation under subregulation (1), it must also publish a notice of the designation in the Gazette.
(5) If a State to which subregulation (1) or (2) does not apply gives the Commonwealth Central Authority information of a kind mentioned in the subregulation, the Commonwealth Central Authority must comply with subregulations (3) and (4) as if the information were given under the subregulation.
Note Subregulations 10 (1) and (2) do not necessarily apply to all States — see regulation 34.
11 State Central Authorities and accredited bodies
For these Regulations, a State Central Authority of a State is taken to have carried out a function if the function is carried out by an accredited body of the State.
12 Notice of accreditation
(1) As soon as practicable after a State Central Authority accredits a body, the State Central Authority must tell the Commonwealth Central Authority, in writing:
(a) the name, address, duties and powers of the accredited body; and
(b) the conditions of the accreditation.
(2) As soon as practicable after a change to the name, address, duties or powers of an accredited body, the State Central Authority that accredited the body must tell the Commonwealth Central Authority, in writing, about the change.
(3) As soon as practicable after a change to the conditions of an accreditation, the State Central Authority that accredited the body must tell the Commonwealth Central Authority, in writing, about the change.
(4) As soon as practicable after the Commonwealth Central Authority is given information under subregulation (1), (2) or (3), it must give the Bureau the information, in writing.
(5) As soon as practicable after the Commonwealth Central Authority is told about an accreditation, it must also publish a notice of the accreditation in the Gazette.
(6) If a State to which subregulation (1), (2) or (3) does not apply gives the Commonwealth Central Authority information of a kind mentioned in the subregulation, the Commonwealth Central Authority must comply with subregulations (4) and (5) as if the information were given under the subregulation.
Note Subregulations 12 (1), (2) and (3) do not necessarily apply to all States — see regulation 34.
13 Notice of revocation
(1) As soon as practicable after a State Central Authority revokes the accreditation of a body, the State Central Authority must tell the Commonwealth Central Authority, in writing, about the revocation.
(2) As soon as practicable after the Commonwealth Central Authority is given information under subregulation (1):
(a) it must give the Bureau the information, in writing; and
(b) it must publish a notice of the revocation in the Gazette.
(3) If a State to which subregulation (1) does not apply gives the Commonwealth Central Authority information of a kind mentioned in the subregulation, the Commonwealth Central Authority must comply with subregulation (2) as if the information were given under subregulation (1).
Note Subregulation 13 (1) does not necessarily apply to all States — see regulation 34.
14 Adoption of Australian child into a Convention country
(1) This regulation applies if arrangements for the adoption of a child, who is habitually resident in Australia, by a person who is, or persons who are, habitually resident in a Convention country, are made in accordance with:
(a) the Convention; and
(b) the laws of the Commonwealth and the State in which the child is habitually resident; and
(c) the laws of the Convention country.
(2) The person or persons proposing to adopt the child must apply to a court for an order that the child be adopted by the person or persons.
(2A) The application must:
(b) include an affidavit in accordance with Form 2.
(2B) At the same time as the application is made, the applicant, or applicants, must give a copy of the application to the State Central Authority for the State where the child who is the subject of the application habitually resides.
(2C) As soon as practicable, the State Central Authority must give notice, in accordance with Form 4, of the application to any person of whom the Authority is aware as having an interest in whether the application is granted.
(2D) A person to whom the notice is given:
(a) no later than 5 working days before the court hearing, may file with the court a statement in accordance with Form 5 that sets out briefly the matters on which the person wishes to rely in support of the court making an order other than the order sought in the application; and
(b) must include with that statement an affidavit in accordance with Form 2.
(2E) As soon as practicable before the court hearing, the applicant, or applicants, may file with the court a reply to a statement filed under subregulation (2D), being a reply that:
(a) is in accordance with Form 6; and
(b) includes an affidavit in accordance with Form 2.
(2F) An order made by the court must be in accordance with Form 7.
(a) the Central Authority of the Convention country has agreed to the adoption of the child; and
(b) the State Central Authority of the State in which the child habitually resides has agreed to the adoption of the child; and
(4) However, the court must not make the order if:
(a) the child is not in Australia; or
(b) the child is not allowed to leave Australia:
(i) under a law of the Commonwealth or a State; or
(ii) because of an order of a court of the Commonwealth or a State.
(5) The best interests of a child must be determined in accordance with section 68F of the Act.
Note This regulation does not necessarily apply to all States — see regulation 34.
15 Adoption in Australia of a child from a Convention country
(1) This regulation applies in relation to an adoption that is to be granted in Australia, of a child who is habitually resident in a Convention country, by a person who is, or persons who are, habitually resident in Australia, if arrangements for the adoption are made in accordance with:
(b) the laws of the Commonwealth and the State of habitual residence of the person or persons proposing to adopt the child; and
(2B) At the same time as the application is made, the applicant, or applicants, must give a copy of the application to the State Central Authority for the State:
(a) if the application is made by 1 applicant — where the applicant habitually resides; or
(b) if the application is made by more than 1 applicant — where the applicants habitually reside.
(2C) The State Central Authority:
(a) no later than 5 working days before the court hearing, may file with the court a statement in accordance with Form 5 that sets out briefly the matters on which the Authority wishes to rely in support of the court making an order other than the order sought in the application; and
(2D) As soon as practicable before the court hearing, the applicant, or applicants, may file with the court a reply to a statement filed under subregulation (2C), being a reply that:
(2E) An order made by the court must be in accordance with Form 8.
(b) the State Central Authority of the State in which the applicant or applicants habitually reside has agreed to the adoption of the child; and
(c) the child is allowed to reside permanently in Australia.
(4) However, the court must not make the order if the child is not in Australia.
(5) For paragraph (3) (c), a child is not allowed to reside permanently in Australia if the child is affected by a law of the Commonwealth, or of a State, or by an order of a Commonwealth or State court, the effect of which is to prevent the child from so residing.
Note 1 This regulation does not necessarily apply to all States — see regulation 34.
Note 2 If a child to whom an application relates enters Australia before the application is determined, the child may be subject, while the application is being considered, to the Immigration (Guardianship of Children) Act 1946. Legislation of the State in which an application is made may also have consequences for the child concerned.
16 Adoption of a child from a Convention country to Australia
(a) an adoption, by a person who is habitually resident in Australia, of a child who is habitually resident in a Convention country is granted in that country; and
(b) an adoption compliance certificate issued in that country is in force for the adoption.
(2) Subject to regulation 22, the adoption is recognised and effective, for the laws of the Commonwealth and each State, on and from the day the certificate becomes effective.
17 Adoption of a child from a Convention country to another Convention country
(a) a child, who is habitually resident in a Convention country, is adopted by a person who is habitually resident in another Convention country; and
(b) an adoption compliance certificate issued in the Convention country in which the adoption is granted is in force for the adoption.
18 Effect of recognition of an adoption
Recognition of the adoption of a child includes, for the laws of the Commonwealth and each State, recognition that under those laws:
(a) the relationship between the child and each of the child’s adoptive parents is the relationship of child and parent; and
(b) each adoptive parent of the child has parental responsibility for the child; and
(c) if the laws of the Convention country where the adoption was granted provide that the adoption of the child terminates the legal relationship between the child and the individuals who were, immediately before the adoption, the child’s parents — the relationship is terminated; and
(d) the child has the same rights as a child who is adopted under the laws of a State.
19 Evidential value of adoption compliance certificate
Subject to regulation 22, an adoption compliance certificate is evidence, for the laws of the Commonwealth and each State, that the adoption to which the certificate relates:
(a) was agreed to by the Central Authorities of the countries mentioned in the certificate; and
(b) was carried out in accordance with the Convention and the laws of the countries mentioned in the certificate.
20 Order terminating legal relationship between child and parents
(b) the laws of the Convention country do not provide that the adoption of the child terminates the legal relationship between the child and the individuals who were, immediately before the adoption, the child’s parents (the pre-adoption parents).
(2) The person may apply to a court for an order that the adoption of the child terminates the legal relationship between the child and the pre-adoption parents.
(2C) As soon as practicable, the State Central Authority must give notice, in accordance with Form 4, of the application to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs at the principal office of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs in Canberra.
(2D) The Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs:
(a) no later than 5 working days before the court hearing, may file with the court a statement in accordance with Form 5 that sets out briefly the matters on which the Minister wishes to rely in support of the court making an order other than the order sought in the application; and
(2E) As soon as practicable before the court hearing, the applicant, or applicants may file with the court a reply to a statement filed under subregulation (2D), being a reply that:
(2F) An order made by the court must be in accordance with Form 9.
(a) an adoption compliance certificate issued in the Convention country is in force for the adoption; and
(b) the laws of the Convention country do not provide that the adoption of a child terminates the legal relationship between the child and the pre-adoption parents; and
(i) to enter Australia; and
(ii) to reside permanently in Australia.
(4) For paragraph (3) (c), a child is not allowed to enter, or reside permanently in, Australia if the child is affected by a law of the Commonwealth, or of a State, or by an order of a Commonwealth or State court, the effect of which is to prevent the child from so entering or residing.
21 Decision in a Convention country to convert an adoption
(1) Subject to regulation 22, if a decision is made in a Convention country to convert the adoption of a child, in accordance with article 27 of the Convention, the decision is recognised and effective, for the laws of the Commonwealth and each State, on and from the day the decision becomes effective.
(2) Recognition of the decision includes, for the laws of the Commonwealth and each State, recognition that under those laws, the decision terminates the legal relationship between the child and the individuals who were, immediately before the adoption, the child’s parents.
22 Refusal to recognise an adoption or an article 27 decision
(1) This regulation applies if a State Central Authority considers that an adoption, or a decision made in accordance with article 27 of the Convention, is manifestly contrary to public policy, taking into account the best interests of the child to whom the adoption or decision relates.
(2) The State Central Authority may apply to a court for a declaration that the adoption or decision is not recognised.
(2B) At the same time as the application is made, the State Central Authority must give notice, in accordance with Form 4, of the application to:
(a) the adoptive parents, or adoptive parent, of the child to whom the adoption or decision relates; and
(b) the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs at the principal office of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs in Canberra.
(2C) A person to whom notice of the application is given:
(2D) As soon as practicable before the court hearing, the State Central Authority may file with the court a reply to a statement filed under subregulation (2C), being a reply that:
(2E) An order made by the court must be in accordance with Form 10.
(3) If a court declares that it does not recognise the adoption or decision, the adoption or decision (as the case requires) has no effect for the laws of the Commonwealth and each State.
23 Notice of application under regulation 22
(1) If a State Central Authority applies to a court for a declaration under regulation 22, the State Central Authority must, as soon as practicable, tell the Commonwealth Central Authority, in writing, about the application and its reasons for making the application.
(2) When the Commonwealth Central Authority is given information under subregulation (1), it must, as soon as practicable:
(a) give the Bureau and the Central Authorities of the State of origin and the receiving State the information, in writing; and
(b) invite those Central Authorities to make submissions to the court about the application.
(3) As soon as practicable after the court has decided the application, the Commonwealth Central Authority must tell the Bureau, in writing, about the decision.
(4) If a State to which subregulation (1) does not apply gives the Commonwealth Central Authority information of a kind mentioned in the subregulation, the Commonwealth Central Authority must comply with subregulations (2) and (3) as if the information were given under subregulation (1).
Note Subregulation (1) does not necessarily apply to all States — see regulation 34.
24 Meaning of arising in a State or Territory
For this Part, a matter to which a provision of Part 4 applies arises in a State if the adoptive parents, or prospective adoptive parents, concerned are habitually resident in that State.
24A Jurisdiction of Family Court of Australia
(1) Jurisdiction is conferred on the Family Court of Australia in a matter to which a provision of Part 4 applies.
(2) If jurisdiction is invested, in the matter, in a court of a State under a law of the State, the Family Court is divested of jurisdiction in the matter.
(3) Subregulation (2) does not have effect in relation to:
(a) proceedings instituted in the Family Court before the day on which jurisdiction in the matter is invested in the State court; or
(b) proceedings on appeal from a decision of the Court in proceedings mentioned in paragraph (a).
24B Appeals may be made to Full Court of Family Court of Australia
(1) An appeal may be made to a Full Court of the Family Court from a decision of the Family Court:
(a) constituted by a single judge; and
(b) exercising jurisdiction under subregulation 24A (1).
(2) Jurisdiction is conferred on the Family Court for appeals instituted under subregulation (1).
24C Evidence given in an appeal
(1) In an appeal mentioned in regulation 24B, the Family Court:
(a) must have regard to the evidence given in the proceedings out of which the appeal arose; and
(b) has power to draw inferences of fact; and
(c) may, in its discretion, receive further evidence on questions of fact.
(2) For paragraph (1) (c), evidence may be given in the following ways:
(b) by oral examination before the Family Court, constituted by a Full Court or by a judge sitting alone;
(c) in a manner directed by the Family Court.
24D Time for instituting appeal
An appeal mentioned in regulation 24B must be instituted:
(b) within a further time that is allowed by the Rules of Court.
24E Orders that may be made on appeal
The Full Court may, in relation to an appeal mentioned in regulation 24B:
(a) affirm, reverse or vary the decree or decision that is the subject of the appeal; and
(b) make a decree or decision that, in the opinion of the Court, ought to have been made in the first instance.
24F Appeals to High Court
An appeal does not lie to the High Court, from a decree of a court exercising jurisdiction under regulation 24A or 24B, except by special leave of the High Court.
25 Jurisdiction of courts — New South Wales
(1) The Supreme Court of New South Wales is invested with federal jurisdiction in matters arising in New South Wales to which a provision of Part 4 applies.
(2) An appeal from a decision of the Supreme Court of New South Wales constituted by a single judge, exercising jurisdiction under subregulation (1), may be made to the Court of Appeal of that Court.
(3) The Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of New South Wales is invested with federal jurisdiction for appeals instituted under subregulation (2).
26 Jurisdiction of courts — Victoria
(1) The following courts of Victoria are invested with federal jurisdiction in matters arising in Victoria to which a provision of Part 4 applies:
(b) the Supreme Court of Victoria.
(2) An appeal from a decision of the County Court, exercising jurisdiction under subregulation (1), may be made to the Supreme Court of Victoria.
(3) The Supreme Court of Victoria is invested with federal jurisdiction for appeals instituted under subregulation (2).
(4) An appeal from a decision of the Supreme Court of Victoria constituted by a single judge, exercising jurisdiction under subregulation (1) or (3), may be made to the Court of Appeal of that Court.
(5) The Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Victoria is invested with federal jurisdiction for appeals instituted under subregulation (4).
27 Jurisdiction of courts — Queensland
(1) The following courts of Queensland are invested with federal jurisdiction in matters arising in Queensland to which a provision of Part 4 applies:
(a) the Children’s Court;
(b) the Supreme Court of Queensland.
(2) An appeal from a decision of the Children’s Court, exercising jurisdiction under subregulation (1), may be made to the Supreme Court of Queensland.
(3) The Supreme Court of Queensland is invested with federal jurisdiction for appeals instituted under subregulation (2).
(4) An appeal from a decision of the Supreme Court of Queensland constituted by a single judge, exercising jurisdiction under subregulation (1) or (3), may be made to the Court of Appeal of that Court.
(5) The Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Queensland is invested with federal jurisdiction for appeals instituted under subregulation (4).
28 Jurisdiction of courts — South Australia
(1) The following courts of South Australia are invested with federal jurisdiction in matters arising in South Australia to which a provision of Part 4 applies:
(a) the Youth Court of South Australia;
(b) the Supreme Court of South Australia.
(2) An appeal from a decision of the Youth Court of South Australia, exercising jurisdiction under subregulation (1), may be made to the Supreme Court of South Australia.
(3) The Supreme Court of South Australia is invested with federal jurisdiction for appeals instituted under subregulation (2).
(4) An appeal from a decision of the Supreme Court of South Australia constituted by a single judge, exercising jurisdiction under subregulation (1) or (3), may be made to the Full Court of that Court.
(5) The Full Court of the Supreme Court of South Australia is invested with federal jurisdiction for appeals instituted under subregulation (4).
29 Jurisdiction of Family Court of Western Australia — Western Australia, Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands
(1) The Family Court of Western Australia is invested with federal jurisdiction in matters:
(a) arising in Western Australia, the Territory of Christmas Island or the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands; and
(b) to which a provision of Part 4 applies.
(2) An appeal from a decision of the Family Court of Western Australia, exercising jurisdiction under subregulation (1), may be made to the Supreme Court of Western Australia.
(3) The Supreme Court of Western Australia is invested with federal jurisdiction for appeals instituted under subregulation (2).
(4) An appeal from a decision of the Supreme Court of Western Australia constituted by a single judge, exercising jurisdiction under subregulation (3), may be made to the Full Court of that Court.
(5) The Full Court of the Supreme Court of Western Australia is invested with federal jurisdiction for appeals instituted under subregulation (4).
30 Jurisdiction of courts — Tasmania
(1) The following courts of Tasmania are invested with federal jurisdiction in matters arising in Tasmania to which a provision of Part 4 applies:
(a) a court constituted by a magistrate sitting alone;
(b) the Supreme Court of Tasmania.
(2) An appeal from a decision of a court constituted by a magistrate sitting alone, exercising jurisdiction under subregulation (1), may be made to the Supreme Court of Tasmania.
(3) The Supreme Court of Tasmania is invested with federal jurisdiction for appeals instituted under subregulation (2).
(4) An appeal from a decision of the Supreme Court of Tasmania constituted by a single judge, exercising jurisdiction under subregulation (1) or (3), may be made to the Full Court of that Court.
(5) The Full Court of the Supreme Court of Tasmania is invested with federal jurisdiction for appeals instituted under subregulation (4).
31 Jurisdiction of courts — Australian Capital Territory, Jervis Bay Territory, Heard and McDonald Islands and Australian Antarctic Territory
(1) Jurisdiction is conferred on the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory in matters:
(a) arising in the Australian Capital Territory, the Jervis Bay Territory, the Territory of Heard and McDonald Islands or the Australian Antarctic Territory; and
(2) An appeal from a decision of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory constituted by a single judge, exercising jurisdiction under subregulation (1), may be made to the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia.
(3) Jurisdiction is conferred on the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia for appeals instituted under subregulation (2).
32 Jurisdiction of courts — Northern Territory and Ashmore and Cartier Islands
(1) Jurisdiction is conferred on the following courts of the Northern Territory in matters arising in the Northern Territory or the Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands to which a provision of Part 4 applies:
(a) the Local Court;
(b) the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory of Australia.
(2) An appeal from a decision of the Local Court, exercising jurisdiction under subregulation (1), may be made to the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory of Australia.
(3) Jurisdiction is conferred on the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory of Australia for appeals instituted under subregulation (2).
(4) An appeal from a decision of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory of Australia constituted by a single judge, exercising jurisdiction under subregulation (1) or (3), may be made to the Court of Appeal of that Court.
(5) Jurisdiction is conferred on the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory of Australia for appeals instituted under subregulation (4).
33 Jurisdiction of courts — Norfolk Island and the Coral Seas Islands Territory
(1) Jurisdiction is conferred on the Court of Petty Sessions of Norfolk Island in matters:
(a) arising on Norfolk Island or in the Coral Seas Islands Territory; and
(2) An appeal from a decision of the Court of Petty Sessions of Norfolk Island, exercising jurisdiction under subregulation (1), may be made to the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island.
(3) Jurisdiction is conferred on the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island for appeals instituted under subregulation (2).
(4) An appeal from a decision of the Supreme Court of Norfolk Island constituted by a single Judge, exercising jurisdiction under subregulation (3), may be made to the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia.
(5) Jurisdiction is conferred on the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia for appeals instituted under subregulation (4).
(1) A provision of these Regulations, except Regulations 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12 and 13, does not apply to a State in which there is in force a law (an intercountry adoption law) having the same effect as, or comparable effect to, that which the provision would, except for this regulation, have for the State.
(2) Nothing in these Regulations affects:
(a) the jurisdiction of a court of the Commonwealth or a State, or the power of an authority, under an intercountry adoption law to entertain proceedings, make an order or take any other action in relation to an intercountry adoption; or
(b) any such order or action; or
(c) the operation, within a State, of an intercountry adoption law of the State.
CHAPTER 1—SCOPE OF THE CONVENTION
a to establish safeguards to ensure that intercountry adoptions take place in the best interests of the child and with respect for his or her fundamental rights as recognised in international law;
b to establish a system of cooperation amongst Contracting States to ensure that those safeguards are respected and thereby prevent the abduction, the sale of, or traffic in children;
1 The Convention shall apply where a child habitually resident in one Contracting State (‘the State of origin’) has been, is being, or is to be moved to another Contracting State (‘the receiving State’) either after his or her adoption in the State of origin by spouses or a person habitually resident in the receiving State, or for the purposes of such an adoption in the receiving State or in the State of origin.
CHAPTER II—REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTIONS
CHAPTER III—CENTRAL AUTHORITIES AND ACCREDITED BODIES
1 Central Authorities shall cooperate with each other and promote cooperation amongst the competent authorities in their States to protect children and to achieve the other objects of the Convention.
b keep one another informed about the operation of the Convention and, as far as possible, eliminate any obstacles to it application.
c promote the development of adoption counselling and post‑adoption services in their States;
The designation of the Central Authorities and where appropriate, the extent of their functions, as well as the names and addresses of the accredited bodies shall be communicated by each Contracting State to the Permanent Bureau of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.
CHAPTER IV—PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS IN INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION
a prepare a report including information about his or her identity, adoptability, background, social environment, family history, medical history including that of the child’s family, and any special needs of the child;
b give due consideration to the child’s upbringing and to his or her ethnic, religious and cultural background;
1 Where the adoption is to take place after the transfer of the child to the receiving State and it appears to the Central Authority of that State that the continued placement of the child with the prospective adoptive parents is not in the child’s best interests, such Central Authority shall take the measures necessary to protect the child, in particular—
2 Any Contracting State may declare to the depositary of the Convention that the functions of the Central Authority under Articles 15 to 21 may be performed in that State, to the extent permitted by the law and subject to the supervision of the competent authorities of that State, also by bodies or person who—
5 Notwithstanding any declaration made under paragraph 2, the reports provide for in Articles 15 and 16 shall, in every case, be prepared under the responsibility of the Central Authority or other authorities or bodies in accordance with paragraph 1.
CHAPTER V—RECOGNITION AND EFFECTS OF THE ADOPTION
1 An adoption certified by the competent authority of the State of the adoption as having been made in accordance with the Convention shall be recognised by operation of law in the other Contracting States. The certificate shall specify when and by whom the agreements under Article 17, sub-paragraph c, were given.
1 The recognition of an adoption includes recognition of—
2 In the case of an adoption having the effect of terminating a pre‑existing legal parent-child relationship, the child shall enjoy in the receiving State, and in any other Contracting State where the adoption is recognised, rights equivalent to those resulting from adoptions having this effect in each such State.
3 The preceding paragraphs shall not prejudice the application of any provision more favourable for the child, in force in the Contracting State which recognises the adoption.
1 Where an adoption granted in the State of origin does not have the effect of terminating a pre-existing legal parent-child relationship, it may, in the receiving State which recognises the adoption under the Convention, be converted into an adoption having such an effect—
b if the consent referred to in Article 4, sub-paragraphs c and d, have been or are given for the purpose of such an adoption.
CHAPTER VI—GENERAL PROVISIONS
There shall be no contact between the prospective adoptive parents and the child’s parents or any other person who has care of the child until the requirements of Article 4, sub-paragraphs a to c, and Article 5, sub‑paragraph a, have been met, unless the adoption takes place within a family or unless the contact is in compliance with the conditions established by the competent authority of the State of origin.
1 The competent Authorities of a Contracting State shall ensure that information held by them concerning the child’s origin, in particular information concerning the identity of his or her parents, as well as the medical history, is preserved.
2 Only costs and expenses, including reasonable professional fees of person involved in the adoption, may be charged or paid.
c any reference to the competent authorities or to be public authorities of that State shall be construed as referring to those authorised to act in the relevant territorial unit;
In relation to a State which with regard to adoption has two or more systems of law applicable to different categories of person, any reference to the law of that State shall be construed as referring to the legal system specified by the law of that State.
1 If a State has two or more territorial units in which different systems of law are applicable in relation to matter dealt with in the Convention, it may at the time of signature, ratification, acceptance, approval or accession declare that this Convention shall extend to all its territorial units or only to one or more of them and may modify this declaration by submitting another declaration at any time.
2 The denunciation takes effect on the first day of the month following the expirations of twelve months after the notification is received by the depositary. Where a longer period for the denunciation to take effect is specified in the notification, the denunciation takes effect upon the expiration of such longer period after the notification is received by the depositary.
In whereof the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Convention.
Done at The Hague, on the twenty-ninth day of May 1993, in the English and French languages, both texts being equally authentic, in a single copy which shall be deposited in the archives of the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and of which a certified copy shall be sent, through diplomatic channels, to each of the States Members of the Hague Conference on Private International Law at the date of its Seventeenth Session and to each of the other States which participated in that Session.
Canada — in relation only to the following provinces:
(a) Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and the Yukon Territory
(b) Northwest Territories
(c) Nova Scotia
(d) Ontario
Form 1 Heading of documents for use in court proceedings
(regulation 3A)
IN THE (insert name of court exercising jurisdiction)
NO. (insert number of proceedings) of (insert year in which document is filed or issued)
DATE OF FILING:*/ISSUE:* (insert date of filing or issue)
IN RELATION TO THE ADOPTION OF (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of child who is the subject of the proceedings) OR (otherwise identify the proceedings in accordance with the rules of the court)
Form 2 Affidavit
(paragraphs 14 (2A) (b), 14 (2D) (b), 14 (2E) (b), 15 (2A) (b), 15 (2C) (b), 15 (2D) (b), 20 (2A) (b), 20 (2D) (b), 20 (2E) (b), 22 (2A) (b), 22 (2C) (b) and 22 (2D) (b))
I*/WE*, (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of deponent(s)), (insert occupation(s) of deponent(s)), of (insert address of deponent(s)), declare the following under oath:
(a) I*/We* am*/are* the deponent(s) for this document and have read the document and any attachment to the document; and
(b) the facts stated in the document, and any attachment to the document, that are within my*/our* knowledge are correct; and
(c) all other facts stated in the document, and in any attachment to the document, are correct to the best of my*/our* knowledge or belief.
SWORN by the deponent(s)
at (insert place where declaration made)
on (insert date of declaration)
(signature(s) of deponent(s))
(name of deponent(s))
(title or position of deponent(s))
(signature of person before whom affidavit is sworn)
(title or position of signatory)
Form 3 Application for order
(paragraphs 14 (2A) (a), 15 (2A) (a), 20 (2A) (a) and 22 (2A) (a))
(insert heading for document in accordance with Form 1)
Application for order under regulation 14*/15*/20*/22*
1 Identity of the child and his or her parents
1.2 Applicant(s)
2.1 Mother:
2.2 Father:
2 Order sought
Under regulation 14 of the Family Law (Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998, application is made for an order for the adoption of (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of child), an Australian child, into (insert name of Convention country), a Convention country.
Under regulation 15 of the Family Law (Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998, application is made for an order for the adoption in Australia of (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of child) from (insert name of Convention country), a Convention country.
Under regulation 20 of the Family Law (Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998, application is made for an order terminating the legal relationship between (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of child) and his*/her* pre-adoption parents.
Under regulation 22 of the Family Law (Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998, application is made for a declaration by the court that the adoption of*/decision made in accordance with Article 27 of the Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Intercountry Adoption in relation to* (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of child) is not recognised.
3 Attachments to applications made under regulation 14*/15*/20*
(for an application under regulation 14 or 15)
(a) the report prepared on the applicant(s) by the Central Authority of the receiving State under Article 15 of the Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Intercountry Adoption; and
(b) the report prepared on the child by the Central Authority of the State of origin under Article 16 of that Convention.
(for an application under regulation 20)
A copy of the adoption compliance certificate issued in the Convention country, and in force for the adoption, is attached.
4 Any other matters in relation to this application
(information may be written here or in an attachment to this application)
(signature(s) of applicant(s))
(if the applicant is the State Central Authority, the title or position of the Authority)
(insert affidavit in accordance with Form 2)
Form 4 Notice of application
(subregulations 14 (2C), 20 (2C) and 22 (2B))
Notice of application for order under regulation 14*/20*/22*
(insert title of State Central Authority) for (insert name of State or Territory)
TO: (insert full name and title of person to whom notice is given)
OF: (insert address of person)
THE ATTACHED APPLICATION is set down for hearing by the (insert name of court) at (insert place where application is to be heard) on (insert date of hearing) at (insert time of hearing).
IF YOU WISH the court to make an order, or orders, other than the order sought in the attached application, you may, no later than 5 working days before the hearing, file with the court a brief statement that:
(a) is mentioned in paragraph 14 (2D) (a)*/20 (2D) (a)*/
22 (2C) (a)* of the Family Law (Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998 of the matters on which you rely in support of the court making the order*/orders* that you seek; and
(b) includes an affidavit in accordance with paragraph
14 (2D) (b)*/20 (2D) (b)*/22 (2C) (b)* of those Regulations.
IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THE APPLICATION, OR DO NOT APPEAR AT THE HEARING, the court may make the order*/orders* sought in the attached application, or a similar order*/similar orders*, without considering what you have to say in response to the application, or in your absence.
DATED...............................................
(signature of State Central Authority)
(name of State Central Authority)
The application under regulation 14*/20*/22* (including any attachment to the application) to which the notice relates is attached.
Form 5 Response to application
(paragraphs 14 (2D) (a), 15 (2C) (a), 20 (2D) (a) and 22 (2C) (a))
Response to application for order under regulation 14*/15*/20*/22*
IN RESPONSE TO the application made by (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of applicant(s)) filed in the (insert name of court) on (insert date of filing of application), a copy*/notice* of which was given to me*/us* on (insert date on which copy, or notice, of the application was given to respondent(s)), I*/WE*, (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of respondent(s)) state as follows:
(insert brief statement of the matters in support of the court making an order other than the order sought in the application)
DATED..................................
(signature(s) of respondent(s))
(name of respondent(s))
(title or position of respondent(s))
Form 6 Reply to response to application
(paragraphs 14 (2E) (a), 15 (2D) (a), 20 (2E) (a) and 22 (2D) (a))
Reply to response to application under regulation 14*/15*/20*/22*
IN REPLY TO the response to my*/our* application made by (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of respondent(s)) filed in the (insert name of court) on (insert date of filing of response), I*/WE* state as follows:
(insert brief reply to matters stated in response to application)
(name of applicant(s))
(title or position of applicant(s))
Form 7 Adoption order — Australian child
(subregulation 14 (2F))
Adoption order — Australian child
ON THE BASIS that this court is satisfied that it may, in accordance with regulation 14 of the Family Law (Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998, make the following orders in these proceedings:
THE COURT AUTHORISES, in accordance with that regulation, (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of applicant(s)), (insert occupation of applicant(s)), of (insert address of applicant(s)) to adopt (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of child), an Australian child, into (insert name of Convention country), a Convention country.
THE COURT approves the following forename(s) as the forename(s) of the child:
(insert forename(s) approved by the court)
THE COURT approves the following surname(s) as the surname(s) of the child:
(insert surname(s) approved by the court)
DATED: (insert date of order)
Form 8 Adoption order — child from Convention country
(subregulation 15 (2E))
Adoption order — child from a Convention country
ON THE BASIS that this court is satisfied that it may, in accordance with regulation 15 of the Family Law (Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998, make the following orders in these proceedings:
THE COURT AUTHORISES, in accordance with that regulation, (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of applicant(s)), (insert occupation of applicant(s)), of (insert address of applicant(s)) to adopt in Australia (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of child), a child from (insert name of Convention country), a Convention country.
Form 9 Order terminating parental relationship
(subregulation 20 (2F))
Order terminating legal relationship between child and parents
ON THE BASIS that this court is satisfied that it may, in accordance with regulation 20 of the Family Law (Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998, make the following orders in these proceedings:
THE COURT ORDERS, in accordance with that regulation, on application by (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of applicant(s)), (insert occupation of applicant(s)), of (insert address of applicant(s)), that the adoption of the child (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of child), by the applicant(s) terminates the legal relationship between the pre-adoption parents of that child and the child.
Form 10 Declaration of non-recognition
(subregulation 22 (2E))
Declaration that adoption or decision is not recognised
ON THE BASIS that this court is satisfied that it may, in accordance with regulation 22 of the Family Law (Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998, make the following orders in these proceedings:
THE COURT DECLARES, in accordance with that regulation, on application by (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of applicant(s)), (insert occupation of applicant(s)), of (insert address of applicant(s)), that the adoption of*/the decision made in accordance with Article 27 of the Convention on Protection of Children and Cooperation in respect of Intercountry Adoption in relation to* (insert forename(s) and surname(s) of child) is not recognised.
DATED: (insert date of declaration)
Notes to the Family Law (Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998
The Family Law (Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998 (in force under the Family Law Act 1975) as shown in this compilation comprise Statutory Rules 1998 No. 249 amended as indicated in the Tables below.
1 Dec 1998 (see ATS 1998 No. 21) (a)
1999 No. 283
(a) Regulation 2 of Statutory Rules 1998 No. 249 provides as follows:
The Regulations commence on the day the Convention enters into force for Australia.
The Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in respect of Intercountry Adoption was:
Signed for Australia 25 August 1998. Instrument of ratification deposited for Australia 25 August 1998, with declarations pursuant to Articles 6, 22.4, 23.2, 25 and 45 and in relation to the October 1994 Special Commission on Implementation recommendation in respect of refugee children. Entry into force for Australia 1 December 1998. Applicable to all the territorial units of Australia.
Heading to r. 3.......................
rs. 1999 No. 283
am. 1999 No. 283
ad. 1999 No. 283
Rr. 14, 15................................
Rr. 24A–24F...........................
rs. 1999 No. 283; 2000 No. 312
Schedule 3 (Forms 1–10)...
Forms 1–10........................