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Adoption Act 1993
36Guardianship before adoption
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36 Guardianship before adoption
(1) The director-general is the guardian of a child or young person for all
purposes except section 26 (Consents of parents and guardians) if—
(a) each person required to consent to the adoption of the child or
young person under section 26 has consented; or
(b) the requirement for consent has been dispensed with under
section 35 (Dispensing with consent).
Guardianship before adoption Division 3.5
(2) However, subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a child or young
person if—
(a) the application for adoption is made by a step-parent and a
parent of the child or young person has a continuing role as a
parent; or
(b) the principal officer of a private adoption agency is the guardian
of the child or young person for all purposes except section 26
(Consents of parents and guardians) because of subsection (3);
or
(c) a declaration under section 38 that the child or young person is
under the guardianship of an authority in a State or another
Territory is in force; or
(d) the director-general has long-term care responsibility for the
child or young person under the Children and Young People Act
2008.
(3) The principal officer of a private adoption agency is the guardian of
a child or young person for all purposes except section 26 (Consents
of parents and guardians) if—
(a) each person whose consent to the adoption is required has
consented and has, in writing, authorised the private adoption
agency to make arrangements with a view to the adoption; and
(b) the principal officer of the private adoption agency has told the
director-general in writing that he or she is willing to assume the
guardianship of the child or young person.
(4) A guardianship under subsection (1) or (3) continues until—
(a) an adoption order is made; or
(b) any consent given is revoked; or
or young person.