Country Groups » Philippines Support Group of Queensland (PSGQ)
The Philippines Support Group of Queensland is a sub-committee of IAFQ.
Its goal is to aid those who are in the process of adopting and for those who may have adopted children, and to be here for advice when required.
We interact with other support groups, enjoy picnics, playground and other social activities.
We also interact with the Philippines community who support us in providing opportunities for our children to maintain and develop their understanding of the country and culture of their birth.
The following outlines some of the frequently asked questions about adoption into Queensland from the Philippines.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who can adopt?
2. Where do the children come from?
3. What ages are the children in need of a family?
4. Who are the children in need of a family?
5. What is the process within the Philippines regarding the placement of the children for adoption?
6. Can I request a child of a particular sex?
7. How long does it take to allocation?
8. How long does it take following matching?
9. What are the costs involved?
10. What about health & background information?
11. Additional special information required by the Philippines in your home study?
12. What about health checks?
Who can adopt?
Both must be over age 25 and under 47 although there is flexibility depending on children in the family and the age of the child to be adopted.
A couple need to be married at least 2 years. If, divorced, 5 years of marriage is required.
There is no restriction officially on the number of children in the family, although over 3 children needs a thorough explanation.
Where do the children come from?
Throughout the Philippines there are many licenced Child Caring Agencies. The homes are operated by Government & Non Government organisations.
Some are Catholic, some are not.
A number of organisation care for the birth mothers during their pregnancies. Councelling is provided to women by organisation prior to completing relinquishment documention.
What ages are the children in need of a family?
Children are matched from age 6 months up to the age of 16 years.
There are siblings also. Sibling groups can be made up of two or more children.
It is possible for approvals to be for one or more children up to a certain age.
The greater the flexibility of an approval the easier for matching.
Who are the children in need of a family?
Children are relinquished, abandoned or orphaned.
A great deal of effort is put into attempting to locate any birth relative prior to the children being placed for adoption. This is usually via the radio, television and newspapers.
What is the process within the Philippines regarding the placement of children for adoption?
All intercountry adoptions are conducted through the Inter Country Adoption Board - ICAB - the licenced, auspiced body to conduct all Intercountry adoptions.
Once established that a child cannot be with or returned to its birth family, the child is offered locally (within their area) firstly, secondly within the region, thirdly inter-regionally and finally intercountry.
Can I request a child of a particular sex?
For the first child, the Philippines feel a couple should be happy with either sex, allowing that adoption is providing a child with a family.
For a second or subsequent child in a family they will take into consideration a request for a particular sex child, looking for a structure of the family.
There are more boys than girls in need of a family in the Philippines.
How long does it take to an allocation?
Recent allocations have taken between 12 to 18 months.
There has been a recent change in the Philippines where a number of American agencies have decided not to place files there, hence, there is a great need for files.
ICAB are very happy to recieve applications form Australians.
How long does it take following matching?
As the Philippines is made up of over 7,000 islands, it depends on where your child is from.
If your child is from the province (country area/island), it will take longer.
The approximate time range is 12 to 20 weeks.
You must stay in the Philippines a minimum of a week to meet your child and complete requirements.
What are the costs involved?
When forwarding your file a non-refundable $US100 is to be sent.
Upon acceptance of an allocation $US900 is forwarded to ICAB and $US500 to the home your child is from.
Additional costs will vary from $A100-$A450, depending on the area your child is in. This is for medical checks, travel if required and clearances.
More and more children are being placed in foster care if people wish, this is a voluntary amount of P100 per day.
The care and conditions of the homes varies greatly
What about health and background infomation?
Children can, as with many countries, have a number of minor problems.
Children with major health issues will not be permitted into Australia if they will be a long term cost to the community.
Sometimes there is quite detailed informaton on the child and birth family, others there is limited information. Whatever information is available will be passed on.
Philippine authorities are in the early stages of developing protocols for adoptees who may wish to return and search for birth families.
Additional special information is required by the Philippines in your home study.
There are four topics that will help your file in the Philippines. This will be available to you from your sub-group co-ordinator once you have commenced your home study.
Topic such as guardianship, Psychological Assessment, & Schooling & Community.
Religion-Couples do not have to be Catholic so long as you live a Christian life.
It is how you live your life that is important and this needs to be explained in the Home Study.
What about health checks?
HIV testing has to be done.
This will need to be explained when your home study is in process.
PSGQ will give further details.