From Adopt Change

1. Intercountry Adoption Resource Network

InterCountry Adoption Resource Network Australia is a resource and support network for families with adopted children born overseas.

2. Intercountry Adoption Family Support Service

The Intercountry Adoption Family Support Service is a free, independent, nation-wide service that provides post-placement support to families formed by intercountry adoption, including expatriate adoptions, as well as support to couples and individuals engaged in the intercountry adoption process. Support is also provided to adult intercountry adoptees. The service provides free counselling support to all members of the family and information and support services to assist with a range of issues and challenges. The service is provided by LifeWorks in partnership with International Social Service.

3. International Social Service Australia

International Social Service (ISS) Australia provides social work and legal services to families, children and adults affected by adoption within Australia and across international borders.

4. Barnardos Australia

The leading child protection charities in Australia. Barnardos builds relationships between children, young people, their families and the community through advocacy and education. Barnardos has specific services in NSW and ACT but is also a useful source of information for all who are impacted by adoption.

5. Benevolent Society

The Benevolent Society has more than 20 years’ experience in post adoption support. They provide a range of resources for adoptees, birth parents, adoptive parents, siblings and partners. The Post Adoption Resource Centre (PARC) for NSW and ACT, and Post Adoption Support Queensland (PASQ) offer further support and information.

6. Create Foundation

CREATE Foundation is the national peak consumer body representing the voices of children and young people with an out-of-home care experience. They provide programs and services to children and young people in care and develop policy and research to advocate for a better care system.

7. Relationships Australia (South Australia)

 Relationships Australia SA’s Post Adoption Support Services (PASS) offers services to people whose lives involve adoption, through providing information, resources and a range of support services such as counselling, workshops and support groups. They support birth parents and families, people who have been adopted, and adoptive parents and families.  South Australia-based, with a range of online services also available.

8. International Adoptee Community

“International Adoptee Community (IAC) is a non-profit, volunteer-led group “founded by adoptees who wish to provide friendship, information and support to fellow adoptees that have experienced an inter-country or cross-cultural upbringing through adoption both internationally and locally. IAC is a medium for adoptees to raise and discuss issues of inter-country and cross-cultural adoption.”

9. Adoption Jigsaw

Jigsaw is an Australian organization that provides information, counseling, search and intermediary services to anyone affected by adoption.

10. Adopted Vietnamese International

Adopted Vietnamese International (AVI) was launched in April 2000 on the 25th anniversary of end the Viet Nam War. It is a volunteer network that is dedicated to all individuals who were adopted during the Viet Nam War period, from the final years of French colonial rule in the 1950s to the final days of the American War in April 1975 (which saw a mass-evacuation of orphans in a project known as Operation Babylift.

11. Australian African Children’s Aid and Support Association (AACASA)

Australian African Children’s Aid and Support Association (AACASA) aims to encourage and support Australian families in adopting African children for whom authorities in their countries of birth consider overseas adoption the most appropriate choice of care.

12. Families with Children from China (Australia)

Families with Children from China (Australia), or FCCA is the only national parent group that acts solely for families who have adopted, or are in the process of adopting, children of Chinese ethnicity. FCCA was formed and incorporated early in 2004 to address the needs of children from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan in a supportive, friendly and family-oriented manner. Members have access to a dedicated Facebook page and a Yahoo support group, playgroups in the larger States, occasional film showings, guest speakers, regular family get-togethers and an annual gathering called Ju Hui, attended by families from all over Australia. Many of their families meet informally through the year in smaller groups in each state. FCCA is non-denominational.

For more information about adoption professionals, check out the following posts: