{"id":"adoption-rules-1995","name":"Adoption Rules 1995","slug":"adoption-rules-1995","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"wa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":173549,"registerId":"wa-adoption-rules-1995-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Adoption Rules 1995","content":"![Crest]()Western Australia\n\nAdoption Act 1994\n\nAdoption Rules 1995\n\nWestern Australia\n\nAdoption Rules 1995\n\nContents\n\nPart 1 — Preliminary\n\n1. Citation 1\n\n2. Interpretation 1\n\n3. Exemption from rules 1\n\nPart 2 — Procedure generally\n\nDivision 1 — Filing\n\n5. Filing of documents 2\n\n6. Address for service 3\n\n7. Marking of filed documents 3\n\nDivision 2 — Applications\n\n8. Interpretation 3\n\n9. Form of general applications 3\n\n10. Evidence in support of general applications 4\n\n11. Form of applications for adoption orders 4\n\n11A. Form of applications for adoption orders under section 78A 4\n\n12. Evidence in support of applications for adoption orders 4\n\n12A. Form of application under section 136B 5\n\n12B. Form of application under section 136F 5\n\n12C. Evidence in support of applications under section 136B or 136F 6\n\n13. Service of applications 6\n\n14. Hearing not necessary if application non‑contentious 6\n\n15. Notice of hearing of applications 6\n\nDivision 4 — Serving and sending documents\n\n22. Time for service 7\n\n23. How service effected 7\n\n24. Affidavits of service 8\n\n25. Acknowledgment of service 8\n\n26. Proof of certain kinds of service 9\n\n27. How documents to be sent by Court 9\n\nDivision 5 — Miscellaneous\n\n28. Witness summonses 10\n\n29. Failure or refusal to comply with witness summons 10\n\n31. Register of applications and orders 11\n\n32. Court to provide certain information to CEO 11\n\nSchedule 1\n\nForms\n\nNotes\n\nCompilation table 21\n\n  \n\nWestern Australia\n\nAdoption Act 1994\n\nAdoption Rules 1995\n\n## Part 1 — Preliminary\n\n##### 1. Citation\n\nThese rules may be cited as the *Adoption Rules 1995* 1, 2.\n\n##### 2. Interpretation\n\n(1) In these rules, **“Registrar”** means the Principal Registrar, a Registrar, or a Deputy Registrar of the Court.\n\n(2) In these rules, a reference to an **“affidavit”** includes a reference to the original or a copy of a document exhibited to the affidavit.\n\n[Rule 2 amended: Gazette 21 Mar 2000 p. 1496.]\n\n##### 3. Exemption from rules\n\nThe Court may, in relation to proceedings under the Act, exempt any person from compliance with any procedural requirement of these rules, either wholly or subject to conditions, if it would be just to do so.\n\n[**4.** Omitted under the Reprints Act 1984 s. 7(4)(f).]\n\n## Part 2 — Procedure generally\n\n### Division 1 — Filing\n\n##### 5. Filing of documents\n\n(1) A document that is to be filed in the Court is to be delivered to the Court in a sealed envelope that is addressed to the “Adoptions Officer”.\n\n(2) The Registrar may refuse to accept for filing in the Court a document in relation to proceedings under the Act that is not —\n\n(a) legible and printed or copied by a machine on one side only of the paper;\n\n(b) on A4 size white paper that is of durable quality;\n\n(c) headed in the form of Form 1 of Schedule 1 and does not have a cover sheet headed in the form of Form 1 of Schedule 1 and upon which cover sheet appears a short description of the document (including, in the case of an affidavit, the name of the deponent and the date of swearing) and the name, address and telephone number of the legal practitioner (if any) filing, delivering, or serving the document or, if the person on whose behalf the document is filed, delivered, or served is not represented by a legal practitioner, the name, address for service and telephone number (if any) of that person;\n\n(d) set out so that there is a margin of approximately 30mm and approximately 6mm of space between each line; and\n\n(e) numbered on each page,\n\nunless the nature of the document renders such compliance impracticable.\n\n(3) If a hearing of proceedings under the Act has commenced, a document relating to the proceedings can only be filed with the leave of the Court and in the manner directed by the Court.\n\n[Rule 5 amended: Gazette 21 Mar 2000 p. 1496; 20 Jun 2003 p. 2236; 29 Jan 2013 p. 333.]\n\n##### 6. Address for service\n\n(1) A person cannot file a document in relation to proceedings under the Act unless a notice of the person’s address for service within the State in the form of Form 2 of Schedule 1 is given in or with the document or has been previously filed in the Court.\n\n(2) A person who has filed a notice of address for service in relation to proceedings under the Act may change the person’s address for service by filing a notice in the form of Form 2 of Schedule 1 and serving a sealed copy of the notice on each other party to the proceedings.\n\n##### 7. Marking of filed documents\n\nWhere a document has been filed in the Court in relation to proceedings under the Act, the Registrar is to ensure that —\n\n(a) the date of filing is marked on the document; and\n\n(b) each service copy of the document bears the seal of the Court.\n\n### Division 2 — Applications\n\n##### 8. Interpretation\n\nA reference in rules 13, 14 and 15 to an application is a reference to an application referred to in rule 9, rule 12A and rule 12B and to an application for an adoption order.\n\n[Rule 8 amended: Gazette 29 Jan 2013 p. 333.]\n\n##### 9. Form of general applications\n\nAn application to the Court under the Act, other than an application for an adoption order or an application referred to in rule 12A or 12B is to be in the form of Schedule 1 Form 3.\n\n[Rule 9 inserted: Gazette 29 Jan 2013 p. 333.]\n\n##### 10. Evidence in support of general applications\n\nAn application referred to in rule 9 is to be filed in the Court together with supporting affidavit evidence.\n\n[Rule 10 amended: Gazette 29 Jan 2013 p. 333.]\n\n##### 11. Form of applications for adoption orders\n\nAn application for an adoption order, other than an application for an adoption order under section 78A(1), is to be in the form of Form 4 of Schedule 1.\n\n[Rule 11 amended: Gazette 21 Mar 2000 p. 1496.]\n\n##### 11A. Form of applications for adoption orders under section 78A\n\nAn application for an adoption order under section 78A of the Act is to be in the form of Form 4A of Schedule 1.\n\n[Rule 11A inserted: Gazette 21 Mar 2000 p. 1496.]\n\n##### 12. Evidence in support of applications for adoption orders\n\n(1) An application for an adoption order is to be filed in the Court together with —\n\n(a) affidavit evidence that would satisfy the Court —\n\n(i) that the Court has jurisdiction to make the adoption order sought in the application;\n\n(ii) in the case of an application for an adoption order in relation to a child, that there has been compliance with such of the provisions of section 68(1) and (2) of the Act as are relevant to the application;\n\n(iii) in the case of an application for an adoption order in relation to an adult, that there has been compliance with section 69(1) of the Act; and\n\n(iv) in the case of an application for an adoption order under section 78A, that there also has been compliance with section 78A(2)(a) to (e) of the Act;\n\n(b) the birth certificate of the prospective adoptee; and\n\n(c) if it proposed that the prospective adoptee be adopted by 2 persons jointly, the marriage certificate, if any, of the prospective adoptive parents.\n\n(2) If an application under section 71 or 73 of the Act is to be made at the hearing of an application for an adoption order —\n\n(a) the orders to be sought are to be set out in an application that is separate from the application for the adoption order; and\n\n(b) the affidavit evidence in support of the application under section 71 or 73 is to be filed separately from the supporting evidence for the application for the adoption order.\n\n[Rule 12 amended: Gazette 21 Mar 2000 p. 1497.]\n\n##### 12A. Form of application under section 136B\n\nAn application for an order under section 136B of the Act is to be in the form of Form 4B of Schedule 1.\n\n[Rule 12A inserted: Gazette 21 Mar 2000 p. 1497.]\n\n##### 12B. Form of application under section 136F\n\nAn application for a declaration under section 136F of the Act is to be in the form of Form 4C of Schedule 1.\n\n[Rule 12B inserted: Gazette 21 Mar 2000 p. 1497.]\n\n##### 12C. Evidence in support of applications under section 136B or 136F\n\nA reference in rules 13, 14 and 15 to an application is a reference to an application under a provision of the Act referred to in the Table to this rule.\n\n**Table**\n\n| **Provision** | **Description of application** |\n| --- | --- |\n| section 136B | to terminate relationship of child and parent in relation to a simple adoption |\n| section 136F | to refuse to recognise an adoption or a decision to convert a simple adoption |\n\n\n[Rule 12C inserted: Gazette 21 Mar 2000 p. 1497.]\n\n##### 13. Service of applications\n\nA sealed copy of an application and any supporting affidavit is to be served on such persons as the Court directs.\n\n##### 14. Hearing not necessary if application non‑contentious\n\nA non‑contentious application may be dealt with, subject to section 133 of the Act —\n\n(a) in chambers;\n\n(b) in the absence of any party to the application or the legal practitioner for the party,\n\nunless the Court directs otherwise.\n\n[Rule 14 amended: Gazette 29 Jan 2013 p. 334.]\n\n##### 15. Notice of hearing of applications\n\nIf the Court decides that there should be a hearing in relation to an application, the Registrar is to give not less than 28 days’ notice of the time and place of the hearing, or such other period of notice as the Court directs, to all persons entitled to be heard.\n\n[Division 3 (r. 16-21) deleted: Gazette 29 Jan 2013 p. 334.]\n\n### Division 4 — Serving and sending documents\n\n##### 22. Time for service\n\nWhere a document is to be served on a person in relation to proceedings under the Act but the time in which it is to be served has not been provided for under these rules, the document is to be served within such time as the Court directs.\n\n##### 23. How service effected\n\nService of a document in proceedings under the Act other than a witness summons may be effected —\n\n(a) in any case, by personal service of a sealed copy of the document upon the person to be served; or\n\n(b) if a person has not filed a notice of address for service, by sending by prepaid post addressed to the person to be served at the person’s last known address —\n\n(i) a sealed copy of the document; and\n\n(ii) an acknowledgment of receipt in the form of Form 6 of Schedule 1;\n\nor\n\n(c) if a person has filed a notice of address for service —\n\n(i) by leaving a sealed copy of the document at the address stated in the notice; or\n\n(ii) by sending a sealed copy of the document by prepaid post addressed to the person to be served at the address stated in the notice; or\n\n(iii) by transmitting a facsimile of the document to a facsimile machine at the address; or\n\n(iv) where the address includes the number of a document exchange box of the legal practitioner for the person to be served, by sealing the document in an envelope (complying with any pre‑payment requirements of the document exchange and addressed to the legal practitioner) and causing the envelope to be placed in the box;\n\nor\n\n(d) in such other manner as the Court directs.\n\n[Rule 23 amended: Gazette 29 Jan 2013 p. 334.]\n\n##### 24. Affidavits of service\n\nAn affidavit of service of any document in proceedings under the Act must provide evidence of —\n\n(a) who served the document;\n\n(b) the day of the week and date on which the document was served;\n\n(c) where and how it was served; and\n\n(d) if the document was served personally, the means by which the person served was identified.\n\n##### 25. Acknowledgment of service\n\n(1) A person on whom a document is served may acknowledge service of the document by an acknowledgment of service.\n\n(2) An acknowledgment of service must be in the form of Form 6 of Schedule 1 and may be signed by the person on whom the document was served or by the legal practitioner for that person.\n\n(3) If an acknowledgment of service purports to be signed by the person on whom the document was served then, unless the contrary is proved, service of the document is to be taken to have been effected in accordance with the acknowledgment.\n\n(4) If a legal practitioner signs an acknowledgment of service on behalf of the person on whom the document was served, the filing of an acknowledgment is to be taken as being proof that service of the document has been effected in accordance with the acknowledgment.\n\n[Rule 25 amended: Gazette 29 Jan 2013 p. 334.]\n\n##### 26. Proof of certain kinds of service\n\n(1) If service of a document is conducted in accordance with rule 23(c)(ii) then, unless the contrary is proved, service of the document is to be taken to be effected at the time when the document would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post.\n\n(2) If a facsimile of a document is transmitted in accordance with rule 23(c)(iii) then service of the document is to be taken to be effected upon completion of the transmission of the document unless it is subsequently established by or on behalf of the person to be served that the document was not in fact received by a facsimile machine at the address or that the facsimile received was not legible or complete.\n\n##### 27. How documents to be sent by Court\n\n(1) A document to be sent by the Court to a person for the purposes of the Act may be sent by properly addressing and posting (by pre‑paid, first class airmail post) the document as a letter to the last known address of the person in which case, unless the contrary is proved, the person is to be taken as having received the document —\n\n(a) if posted to an address within Australia, at the time when the letter would have been delivered in the ordinary course of post; and\n\n(b) if sent overseas, 28 days after the day on which the letter was posted.\n\n(2) The Registrar is to ensure that a document to be sent to a person by the Court for the purposes of the Act is sent in a sealed envelope which is marked “Private and Confidential”.\n\n### Division 5 — Miscellaneous\n\n##### 28. Witness summonses\n\n(1) At the direction of the Court the Registrar is to issue, and at the request of a party the Registrar may issue, a witness summons in relation to proceedings under the Act, commanding the person named in the summons to attend before the Court at the time stated in the summons and there to —\n\n(a) give evidence;\n\n(b) give evidence and produce any books, documents or things in the person’s possession or custody or under the person’s control; or\n\n(c) produce any books, documents or things in the person’s possession or custody or under the person’s control,\n\nin accordance with the summons.\n\n(2) A witness summons is to be in the form of Form 7 of Schedule 1.\n\n(3) A witness summons is to be served personally on the prospective witness or in such other manner as the Court directs.\n\n(4) A person who serves a witness summons must, at the time of service, tender to the person served sufficient money for that person’s return travel between his or her place of residence or employment (whichever is appropriate) and the Court.\n\n##### 29. Failure or refusal to comply with witness summons\n\nA person who is served with a witness summons issued under rule 28 must not fail or refuse to comply with the summons without reasonable cause or excuse, proof of which lies on the person.\n\nPenalty: $1 000.\n\n[**30.** Deleted: Gazette 5 Dec 1995 p. 5587.]\n\n##### 31. Register of applications and orders\n\nThe Registrar is to keep a register of all applications made to the Court under the Act and record in the register the orders made on each application.\n\n[Rule 31 amended: Gazette 29 Jan 2013 p. 334.]\n\n##### 32. Court to provide certain information to CEO\n\nThe Registrar is to cause to be given to the CEO —\n\n(a) a copy of the orders made in relation to each application for an adoption order and each application for an order to discharge an adoption order; and\n\n(b) notice of each application under section 83(1) of the Act for an order to prevent the CEO from giving his or her authority in relation to access to information; and\n\n(c) a copy of the orders made in relation to each application made under section 136B or 136F of the Act.\n\n[Rule 32 amended: Gazette 21 Mar 2000 p. 1497‑8; 29 Jan 2013 p. 335.]\n\nSchedule 1\n\nForms\n\n**FORM 1 — HEADINGS**\n\n[Rule 5(2)(c)]\n\n***Adoption Act 1994***\n\n**In the Family Court of Western Australia**\n\nNo. of .\n\nIN THE MATTER OF............................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\nBETWEEN.............................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n[*Applicant/s/Appellant/s*]\n\nAND........................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n[*Other parties to application/appeal*]\n\n_______________\n\n**FORM 2 — NOTICE OF ADDRESS (OR CHANGE IN ADDRESS) FOR SERVICE**\n\n[Rule 6]\n\n**Notice of Address (or Change in Address) for Service**\n\nName.......................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\nName of legal practitioner and legal practitioner’s firm (if applicable):.................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\nAddress for Service:................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n[*address must be within Western Australia*]\n\nTelephone no: ( )................................................................................................\n\nFax no: ( )...........................................................................................................\n\nDX no:.....................................................................................................................\n\nDATED this day of .\n\n.................................................................\n\nSIGNATURE of party or legal practitioner for party\n\n_______________\n\n[Form 2 amended: Gazette 29 Jan 2013 p. 335.]\n\n**FORM 3 — APPLICATION (GENERAL)**\n\n[Rule 9]\n\n**Application**\n\n(other than for an adoption order)\n\nI/We.........................................................................................................................\n\nof.............................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n[*State full name/s and address/es*]\n\napply under section of the *Adoption Act 1994* for the following order/s —\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\nDATED this day of .\n\n....................................................................................\n\nSIGNATURE of applicant/s or legal practitioner for applicant/s\n\nTAKE NOTICE that if you wish to oppose this application you must file a notice of address for service within 14 days of the day on which you received this copy of the application.\n\n_______________\n\n[Form 3 amended: Gazette 29 Jan 2013 p. 335.]\n\n**FORM 4 — APPLICATION FOR ADOPTION ORDER**\n\n[Rule 11]\n\n**Application for an adoption order**\n\nI/We ........................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n[*State full name, address and occupation of each prospective adoptive parent*]\n\napply to adopt..........................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n[*State full name by which prospective adoptee is known and the date and place of birth of the prospective adoptee*]\n\na child from [*insert the name of the Convention country*], a Convention country, who is to live in Western Australia. [*include if applicable*]\n\nIn the event that an adoption order is made, I/we apply for the Court to declare that the adoptee be known by the name..................................................................\n\n................................................................................................................................\n\nDATED this day of .\n\n...................................................\n\nSIGNATURE/S of applicant/s\n\n[**Note that if the application for the adoption order is in relation to a child, a written memorandum of the provisions of the adoption plan in relation to the child is to be filed with the application unless an application will be made for the Court to dispense with the requirement for the adoption plan: section 62 of the Act.*]\n\n[Form 4 inserted: Gazette 21 Mar 2000 p. 1498.]\n\n_______________\n\n**FORM 4A — APPLICATION FOR ADOPTION ORDER UNDER SECTION 78A OF THE *ADOPTION ACT 1994***\n\n[Rule 11A]\n\n**Application for an adoption order of child who is to live in a Convention country**\n\nI/We ........................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n[*State full name, address and occupation of each prospective adoptive parent*]\n\napply to adopt..........................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n[*State full name by which prospective adoptee is known and the sex and date and place of birth of the prospective adoptee*]\n\nan Australian child who is to live in [*insert the name of the Convention country*], a Convention country.\n\nIn the event that an adoption order is made, I/we apply for the Court to declare that the adoptee be known by the name..................................................................\n\n................................................................................................................................\n\nDATED this day of .\n\n...................................................\n\nSIGNATURE/S of applicant/s\n\n[*Note that a written memorandum of the provisions of the adoption plan in relation to the child is to be filed with the application unless an application will be made for the Court to dispense with the requirement for the adoption plan: section 62 of the Act.*]\n\n[Form 4A inserted: Gazette 21 Mar 2000 p. 1498‑9.]\n\n_______________\n\n**FORM 4B — APPLICATION FOR ORDER UNDER SECTION 136B**\n\n[Rule 12A]\n\n**Application for an order terminating the legal relationship of child and parent in relation to a simple adoption**\n\nI/We ........................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n[*State full name, address and occupation of each applicant*]\n\napply, under section 136B of the *Adoption Act 1994*, for an order terminating the relationship between ........................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n[*State the full names of the pre‑adoptive parents and any other names by which either parent is, or was previously, known*]\n\nand ..........................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n[*State the full name, sex, and date and place of birth of the child*]\n\nDATED this day of .\n\n...................................................\n\nSIGNATURE/S of applicant/s\n\n[Form 4B inserted: Gazette 21 Mar 2000 p. 1499; amended: Gazette 17 Sep 2002 p. 4675; 29 Jan 2013 p. 335.]\n\n_______________\n\n**FORM 4C — APPLICATION FOR A DECLARATION UNDER SECTION 136F**\n\n[Rule 12B]\n\n**Application for a declaration under section 136F of the *Adoption Act 1994***\n\nI...............................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n[*State full name and address of the State Central Authority*]\n\n, the State Central Authority, apply, under section 136F of the *Adoption Act 1994*, for a declaration by the Court that the adoption of*/decision made in accordance with Article 27 of the Hague Convention in relation to*[*whichever is applicable*]...........................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n[*State the full name, sex, date and place of birth of the child*]\n\nis not recognised.\n\nDATED this day of .\n\n...................................................\n\nSIGNATURE/S of applicant/s\n\n[Form 4C inserted: Gazette 21 Mar 2000 p. 1500; amended: Gazette 29 Jan 2013 p. 335.]\n\n_______________\n\n[Form 5 deleted: Gazette 29 Jan 2013 p. 335.]\n\n**FORM 6 — ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF SERVICE**\n\n[Rules 23(b)(ii) and 25(2)]\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n[*State full name of person served with documents*]\n\nDate of service:.......................................................................................................\n\nDocument/s served:.................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\nI acknowledge that the documents specified above were served on me on the date specified above.\n\n........................................................................................\n\n[*Signature of person served*]\n\n.........................................................................................\n\n[*Date of signing*]\n\n**OR**\n\nI am the legal practitioner for the person served. On behalf of my client I acknowledge that the documents specified above were served on my client on the date of service specified above.\n\n.........................................................................................\n\n[*Signature of legal practitioner*]\n\n.........................................................................................\n\n[*Date of signing*]\n\n.........................................................................................\n\n[*Name of legal practitioner and name of firm (print)*]\n\n.........................................................................................\n\n.........................................................................................\n\n[*Address*]\n\n.........................................................................................\n\n[*Telephone no.*]\n\n.........................................................................................\n\n[*Fax no.*]\n\n.........................................................................................\n\n[*DX no.*]\n\n_______________\n\n[Form 6 amended: Gazette 29 Jan 2013 p. 336.]\n\n**FORM 7 — WITNESS SUMMONS**\n\n[Rule 28(2)]\n\n**Summons to Witness**\n\nTo:...........................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\nof.............................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\nYou are hereby ordered to attend at this Court at....................................a.m./p.m.\n\non __________________ the __________________ day of ________________\n\nat 150 Terrace Road, Perth in the State of Western Australia and to attend from day to day unless excused by the Court or a Registrar, until the hearing of the above‑mentioned matter is completed, to —\n\n(a) give evidence; or\n\n(b) give evidence and produce any books, documents or things in your possession or custody or under your control as are set out below; or\n\n(c) produce any books, documents or things in your possession or custody or under your control as are set out below.\n\n*[Delete the inapplicable paragraphs]*\n\nThe books, documents or things to be produced are...............................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\n.................................................................................................................................\n\nIf you fail or refuse to comply with this summons then —\n\n(a) a warrant may issue for your arrest; and\n\n(b) if you so fail without reasonable cause or excuse you commit an offence punishable by a fine not exceeding $1 000.\n\nDATED this day of .\n\n........................................................\n\nREGISTRAR\n\n[Form 8 deleted: Gazette 5 Dec 1995 p. 5587.]\n\n[Schedule 1 amended: Gazette 5 Dec 1995 p. 5587; 21 Mar 2000 p. 1498‑1500; 17 Sep 2002 p. 4675; 20 Jun 2003 p. 2236.]\n\nNotes\n\n1 This is a compilation of the *Adoption Rules 1995* and includes the amendments made by the other written laws referred to in the following table. The table also contains information about any reprint.\n\nCompilation table\n\n| **Citation** | **Gazettal** | **Commencement** |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| *Adoption Rules 1995* 2 | 19 Jan 1995 p. 179‑99 | 19 Jan 1995 |\n| *Adoption (Amendment) Rules 1995* | 5 Dec 1995 p. 5586‑7 | 5 Dec 1995 |\n| *Adoption Amendment Rules 2000* | 21 Mar 2000 p. 1495‑1500   (correction 24 Mar 2000 p. 1643) | 21 Mar 2000 |\n| *Adoption Amendment Rules 2002* | 17 Sep 2002 p. 4675‑6 | 21 Sep 2002 (see r. 2 and *Gazette* 20 Sep 2002 p. 4693) |\n| *Adoption Amendment Rules (No. 2) 2002* | 12 Nov 2002 p. 5465 | 12 Nov 2002 |\n| *Adoption Amendment Rules 2003* | 20 Jun 2003 p. 2235‑6 | 20 Jun 2003 |\n| **Reprint 1: The *Adoption Rules 1995* as at 1 Aug 2003** (includes amendments listed above) | | |\n| *Adoption Amendment Rules 2012* | 29 Jan 2013 p. 332‑6 | r. 1 and 2: 29 Jan 2013 (see r. 2(a));   Rules other than r. 1 and 2: 30 Jan 2013 (see r. 2(b)) |\n\n\n2 These rules are made by the Judges of the Family Court under section 142 of the *Adoption Act 1994*. Section 142(2) of the Act provides —\n\n“\n\nIf no provision is made by law or rule under subsection (1) in relation to a matter for which rules may be made under that subsection —\n\n(a) the provisions of the rules and regulations under the *Family Court Act 1975* that are most nearly applicable in relation to the matter are to apply; or\n\n(b) if there is no provision such as that mentioned in paragraph (a), the rules and regulations under the *Family Law Act 1975* of the Commonwealth that are most nearly applicable in relation to the matter are to apply.\n\n”.\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1995 rules appear to have been designed for domestic adoption procedures. However, the legislation has expanded significantly through amendments to cover international adoption matters under the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. Rules 11A, 12A, 12B, and 12C (inserted in 2000) create entirely new procedures for: (1) Australian children being adopted by residents of Convention countries, (2) terminating legal relationships from overseas 'simple adoptions,' and (3) refusing to recognise foreign adoptions. This represents a substantial expansion from purely domestic procedural rules to an instrument managing complex private international law and treaty obligations."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple amendment layers (7 separate amendment instruments since 1995) creating a patchwork text with deleted rules and inserted provisions","Cross-referencing between the Rules and the Adoption Act 1994 (sections 62, 68, 69, 71, 73, 78A, 83, 133, 136B, 136F, 142) requiring simultaneous reading of both instruments","Conditional formatting requirements for documents (Rule 5(2)) with 5 specific technical criteria plus an exception clause","Multiple application pathways requiring different forms: general applications (Form 3), standard adoption orders (Form 4), Hague Convention outgoing adoptions (Form 4A), termination of simple adoption relationships (Form 4B), and non-recognition declarations (Form 4C)","Hierarchical structure with Parts, Divisions, and Rules creating nested organisational layers","Fallback provision (Note 2) applying Family Court Act 1975 or Commonwealth Family Law Act 1975 rules where these rules are silent, creating a three-tier regulatory framework"],"plain_english_summary":"This legislation sets out the procedural rules for how adoption cases are handled in the Family Court of Western Australia. It covers the practical steps people must follow when applying to adopt a child or adult, or when dealing with related legal matters under the Adoption Act 1994.\n\n**Key things the rules cover:**\n\n*   **Paperwork requirements:** Documents must be filed in sealed envelopes addressed to the \"Adoptions Officer,\" meet specific formatting standards (A4 white paper, specific margins, page numbers), and include a cover sheet with contact details.\n*   **Application forms:** Different types of adoption applications require specific forms—standard adoptions, international adoptions (under the Hague Convention), and special cases like terminating legal relationships from overseas \"simple adoptions.\"\n*   **Evidence requirements:** Applicants must provide sworn statements (affidavits) proving the Court has power to hear the case, along with birth certificates and marriage certificates where relevant.\n*   **Serving documents:** Rules explain how to formally deliver legal papers to other parties—by hand, by post, by fax, or through a document exchange system—and how to prove delivery happened.\n*   **Court hearings:** Some straightforward, non-contentious applications can be decided without a formal hearing or even without the parties present, unless the Court decides a hearing is needed.\n*   **Witness summonses:** The Court can order people to attend and give evidence or produce documents, with penalties for non-compliance.\n*   **Record keeping:** The Court must maintain a register of all applications and orders, and share certain information with the Chief Executive Officer of the Department responsible for adoptions.\n\n**Who it affects:** Prospective adoptive parents, birth parents, adoption agencies, legal practitioners, and the Family Court of Western Australia.\n\n**Why it matters:** These rules ensure adoption proceedings are handled consistently, confidentially, and fairly, with special protections given the sensitive nature of adoption and the lifelong legal changes involved."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Rules originally provided procedural detail for local adoption proceedings. Over time they were expanded to cover additional types of adoption-related orders and international matters: for example, Form 4A and rule 11A for adoptions involving Convention countries, Forms 4B/4C and rules 12A–12C for simple-adoption termination orders and non‑recognition declarations under sections 136B and 136F, and rule 32 expressly requires providing orders and notices to the CEO and State Central Authority. These additions move the Rules beyond purely domestic court-paper mechanics to include procedures specific to international adoptions, recognition questions and post‑adoption termination matters (see Rules 11A, 12A–12C, Schedule 1 Forms 4A–4C). The net effect is a substantive broadening of the procedural scope to accommodate Hague/Convention processes and specific statutory mechanisms introduced into the Adoption Act."},"complexity_factors":["Single instrument of moderate length (32 substantive rules plus Schedule 1 forms).","Schedule 1 contains 7 active prescribed forms (Forms 1–4C, 6–7) and some deleted items noted — multiple tailored templates to follow.","Cross-references to numerous Adoption Act provisions (s.62, s.68(1)–(2), s.69(1), s.71, s.73, s.78A, s.83(1), s.136B, s.136F), increasing interpretive dependence on the Act.","Multiple conditional filing rules and exceptions: leave to file after hearing starts (Rule 5(3)), Court exemption power (Rule 3), non‑contentious treatment (Rule 14).","Several service methods with distinct evidentiary presumptions and timings (personal service, post, facsimile, document exchange) — layered proof rules (Rules 23–27).","Specific technical formatting requirements for filed documents (Rule 5(2)(a)–(e)) — a small but strict compliance burden.","Witness summons mechanics including mandatory tender of travel money and a statutory penalty for non-compliance (Rules 28–29).","Obligation on Registrar to keep a register and to provide copies/ notices to the CEO and State Central Authority (Rules 31–32) — administrative reporting obligations.,"],"plain_english_summary":"**What these rules do (mechanically)**\n\n- Set the Court’s procedural requirements for matters under the Adoption Act 1994 in Western Australia: how adoption-related documents are prepared, filed, served and proved (Part 1 and Part 2). Key procedural controls include formatting of papers, who they are addressed to, and what paperwork must accompany particular kinds of applications (Rules 5–7, 9–12, Schedule 1 forms).\n\n- Prescribe the specific forms to be used for common adoption applications (Schedule 1 Forms 1–7). These include general applications, applications for adoption orders (including a separate form for applications involving Convention countries), applications under specific Adoption Act provisions (e.g. sections 136B and 136F), acknowledgments of service, and witness summonses (Schedule 1 Forms 2, 3, 4, 4A, 4B, 4C, 6, 7).\n\n- Describe what affidavit evidence must accompany an adoption application so the Court can be satisfied it has jurisdiction and that statutory preconditions have been met (for child and adult adoptions and for specified special orders) (Rule 12; Rules 12A–12C).\n\n- Specify how and when documents must be served or sent, and the evidentiary presumptions about when service is taken to occur (Rules 22–27). Service methods include personal service, post, leaving documents at a filed address for service, fax, and document exchange boxes (Rule 23).\n\n- Allow the Court to deal with non‑contentious applications without an open hearing, and to set minimum notice periods when a hearing is required (Rules 14–15).\n\n- Provide for witness summonses, require the person serving a summons to tender return-travel money, and set a $1,000 penalty for unjustified refusal to comply with a summons (Rules 28–29).\n\n- Require the Registrar to keep a register of adoption applications and orders and to provide certain orders and notices to the CEO and State Central Authority as specified (Rules 31–32).\n\n- Give the Court power to exempt persons from these procedural rules when justice requires (Rule 3).\n\n\n**Who is affected**\n\n- Prospective adoptive parents and prospective adoptees (children and adults) — by the evidentiary and form requirements for adoption orders (Rules 11, 11A, 12, Schedule 1 Forms 4, 4A).\n- Pre‑adoptive parents and other persons whose parental relationship may be terminated or not recognised — by the special application forms and processes for section 136B (terminating legal parent–child relationship in simple adoptions) and section 136F (declarations about recognition) (Rules 12A–12C, Schedule 1 Forms 4B, 4C).\n- Legal practitioners and self‑represented parties — by filing, service, and formatting obligations (Rules 5–7, 23).\n- Court registrars and the Court administration — by duties to mark and register filings and send copies to the CEO (Rules 7, 31–32).\n- Witnesses called to Court and persons served with summonses — by the attendance, production, and travel‑money rules and the penalty for non‑compliance (Rules 28–29).\n- The CEO and State Central Authority — as recipients of orders and notices under Rule 32 and Schedule 1 Form 4C.\n\n\n**Why it matters (practical effects and mechanics)**\n\n- The Rules make adoption litigation and administrative proceedings procedurally predictable: the Court can refuse improperly prepared papers, require prescribed forms and supporting affidavits, and has laid down accepted modes and timing of service (see Rules 5, 12, 23, 26).\n\n- They create compliance costs for parties: documentary requirements (birth certificates, marriage certificates where relevant), formal affidavits proving jurisdictional facts and compliance with statutory preconditions, and technical formatting standards for filings (Rule 12(1)(a)–(c); Rule 5(2)).\n\n- They centralise administrative control with registrars and the Court (power to mark filings, refuse non‑compliant documents, require leave to file after hearings commence) — giving the Court gatekeeping authority over the conduct and pace of proceedings (Rules 5(3), 7, 31–32).\n\n- They provide for Hague Convention and international adoption processes through dedicated forms and recognition/ non‑recognition procedures (Form 4A for Convention-country adoptions; Form 4C and rule references for s.136F matters), so international adoptions and recognition questions are integrated into Court procedure (Schedule 1 Forms 4A, 4C; Rules 12A–12C).\n\n\n**Official purpose-claim and a practical test**\n\n- Officially, these rules are procedural: to provide consistent, accessible procedures for the Family Court to process adoption matters and to supply forms and service rules where the Adoption Act does not provide detail (see Rule 142 delegation note). That purpose is reflected in the Rules’ focus on forms, filing and service mechanics (Rules 5–7, Schedule 1).\n\n- Testing that claim against trade-offs and costs:\n  - Compliance burden: The formatting and form requirements (Rule 5(2)(a)–(e), Schedule 1) and the requirement to file specified affidavits and supporting certificates (Rule 12(1)(a)–(c)) raise the cost for unrepresented parties and may incentivise hiring lawyers. The Court can refuse to accept non‑compliant documents (Rule 5(2)).\n  - Administrative efficiency vs. discretion risk: Registrar powers to refuse filings or require leave to file after a hearing starts (Rule 5(3)) benefit court administration by discouraging ad hoc filings, but they concentrate discretion in Court officers; inconsistent exercise could delay access to justice.\n  - Evidence and timing presumptions: Postal and fax presumptions about when service is taken to occur (Rule 26, Rule 27(1)) reduce proof disputes but create rules that, in practice, can produce harsh timing outcomes if parties rely on post or facsimile and reception fails.\n  - Modernisation gap: the Rules allow fax transmission (Rule 23(c)(iii)) but do not provide for contemporary electronic service (email or electronic court filing systems) in the text provided — a practical limitation that may increase transaction costs or produce compliance difficulties.\n  - Concentrated vs. diffuse effects: Benefits of standardisation and ease of administration flow mainly to the Court and central agencies (Registrar, CEO) (Rules 31–32). Costs (paperwork, possible need for lawyers, travel tendering for witnesses) fall on applicants, respondents and witnesses and are therefore more diffuse.\n\n\n**Compliance items likely to change behaviour**\n\n- Increased use of legal representatives for formatting/filing and affidavit drafting (Rule 5, Rule 12).\n- Greater care about choosing the method of service (post vs personal vs fax) because of the legal presumptions about timing and proof (Rules 23–27).\n- Potential extra planning and cost for witnesses (Rule 28 requires tender of return-travel money at service).\n\n\n**Bottom line (practical summary)**\n\nThese Rules do not change substantive adoption law. They set the detailed court procedure for how adoption-related matters are lodged, proved, served, heard and recorded in the Family Court of Western Australia. That standardisation aids court administration and helps implement international adoption procedures, but it creates measurable compliance costs and concentrates gatekeeping authority with the Court and registrars. Several provisions (forms for Convention matters, specific rules for simple adoption terminations and recognition declarations) extend the procedural coverage to international and post‑adoption recognition issues (see Rules 11A, 12A–12C and Schedule 1 Forms 4A, 4B, 4C)."},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"summary":{"complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Scope cannot be assessed as no legislative content was provided. The supplied text contains only a website error message, making it impossible to compare original intent against enacted provisions."},"complexity_factors":["No legislative content was retrievable — the source URL returned a 'page not available' error","The only text present is a broken-link notice and a standard government Acknowledgement of Country","No provisions, definitions, schedules, or operative clauses exist in the supplied text to analyse","Complexity cannot be meaningfully assessed without access to the actual instrument"],"plain_english_summary":"## Adoption Rules 1995 (WA) — Content Unavailable\n\nThe requested legislation — the **Adoption Rules 1995** (Western Australia) — could not be retrieved because the source page is no longer available on the Western Australian legislation website.\n\n**What this means for you:** No meaningful legal analysis can be provided based on the content supplied, as it contains only a broken-link error message and an Acknowledgement of Country, not the actual text of the legislation.\n\n**What you can do:**\n- Visit the [Western Australian Legislation website](https://www.legislation.wa.gov.au) directly and search for *Adoption Rules 1995*\n- Contact the Parliamentary Counsel's Office Helpdesk as suggested on the error page\n- Check the **Adoption Act 1994 (WA)** as the parent legislation under which these Rules were likely made"},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/adoption-rules-1995","history":"/api/acts/adoption-rules-1995/history","analysis":"/api/acts/adoption-rules-1995/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/adoption-rules-1995/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/adoption-rules-1995/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/adoption-rules-1995/documents"}}