The 2003 amendments to the Adoption Act 1994  now mean that there is a choice of three categories of adoption that you can apply for.

1. A local adoption only.

2. An overseas (intercountry) adoption only.

3. Either a local or an intercountry adoption.

Most applicants ask to be considered for both a local and an intercountry adoption, thinking that it is most likely that if an adoption occurs it will be from another country. However at times, and  for reasons that are not clear, there may be a jump in the numbers of children born locally for adoption.  So applicants, if they have applied for both,  need to be aware and prepared for an offer of either a local or an intercountry child.