The steps to be followed by a person who wishes to adopt a child are as follows:

(a) the person applies under Division 2 to be assessed as a person suitable to adopt a child;

(b) if that application is accepted, that person becomes an accepted applicant and his or her name is recorded on the register of accepted applicants;

(c) after the accepted applicant's name is recorded on the register of accepted applicants, an assessment report is prepared under Division 3 in respect of that accepted applicant and a copy of that report is provided to the Secretary or relevant principal officer;

(d) after consideration of the assessment report, the Secretary or relevant principal officer approves, or refuses to approve, that accepted applicant as a prospective adoptive parent under Division 4 ;

(e) the Secretary or relevant principal officer then places a child who is available for adoption with the prospective adoptive parent, with a view to that prospective adoptive parent adopting the child;

(f) the court makes an adoption order for the adoption of the child by the prospective adoptive parent with whom the child was placed.