❓ WA parliamentary question regarding adoption services in 2025 reveals low numbers of approved families, variable waiting times, no children assessed as suitable for adoption remaining unadopted, and a few incomplete assessments. Focus is on the state of adoption services and alternatives.
AnsweredQoN 1230Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to adoption services in Western Australia for the period between 1 January 2025, and 31 December 2025, and I ask: (a) what was the total number of families approved and waiting to adopt children during this period; (b) what was the average waiting time, during this period, for approved families to be matched with a child for local adoption; (c) as at the end of this period, how many children in out-of-home care had been assessed as suitable for adoption but remained unadopted; and (d) how many adoption assessments were commenced but not completed during this period, and what were the reasons for non-completion?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 April 2026
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Child Protection
Response time
8 days
(a) 18 households were approved for local and/or intercountry adoption during the period
(b) Prospective adoptive parents may be matched within weeks of being approved or may remain in the pool and never be matched due to the highly individualised nature of each adoption
(c) None. As adoption severs legal ties between birth parents and their child, Protection Order, Special Guardianship is considered a more appropriate option for many children in care under the Children and Community Services Act 2004 .
(d) Four adoption assessments were commenced but not completed during the period between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025. The reasons for non-completion were:
(b) Prospective adoptive parents may be matched within weeks of being approved or may remain in the pool and never be matched due to the highly individualised nature of each adoption
(c) None. As adoption severs legal ties between birth parents and their child, Protection Order, Special Guardianship is considered a more appropriate option for many children in care under the Children and Community Services Act 2004 .
(d) Four adoption assessments were commenced but not completed during the period between 1 January 2025 and 31 December 2025. The reasons for non-completion were:
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