Can same-sex couples adopt in Australia?
Joint adoption legal
Joint adoption by same-sex couples is legal in every state and territory.
Australia is one of 48 countries classified “Joint adoption legal” for same-sex adoption — 33% of the 147 with data. (Also searched as LGBT adoption.)
Source
- Taken from
- Wikipedia: LGBTQ adoption
- Last checked
- 15 September 2026
- How it was classified
- Checked by hand against the source.
Nearby countries
- Timor-Leste
- Not permitted Same-sex couples cannot adopt.
- Indonesia
- Not permitted Same-sex couples cannot adopt.
- Malaysia
- Limited (step-child / single) Joint adoption is not open to same-sex couples; step-child or single-person adoption is.
- Brunei
- Not permitted Same-sex couples cannot adopt.
- New Zealand
- Joint adoption legal Joint adoption by same-sex couples has been legal since 2013.
- Singapore
- Limited (step-child / single) Joint adoption is not open to same-sex couples; step-child or single-person adoption is.
Other laws in Australia
- Sex Work
- Varies by region
- Pornography
- Restricted
- Divorce
- Heavily restricted
- Non-Binary Recognition
- Recognized
- Incest Laws
- Criminal offense
- Marriage Age
- 18+
Every law in Australia → · Where can same-sex couples adopt? →
A visual reference compiled from Wikipedia’s law-by-country articles, not legal advice. Laws change and summaries simplify — check a primary source before relying on anything here.