What is intercountry adoption?

Intercountry adoption refers specifically to the legal process in which a child from one country is adopted by a person or family in another country. This process typically involves countries that have joined the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption, which aims to protect the best interests of children and establish safeguards for intercountry adoptions. By emphasizing the relationship between Australia and Hague Convention member countries, it highlights the international element inherent in this type of adoption and the legal framework that governs such adoptions to ensure they are conducted ethically and responsibly.

This definition underscores the necessity of international cooperation and regulation in the adoption process to foster a child's well-being and stability, ensuring that the adoption is not only legal but also ethical and protects the rights of all parties involved.