Hague Convention on Child Abduction - Australia and Republic of Korea

The Australian Government welcomes the entry into force of the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction between Australia and the Republic of Korea.

The Hague Child Abduction Convention protects children from the harm caused by international child abduction. It provides a legal mechanism to ensure that children who are wrongfully removed from, or retained outside, their country of habitual residence, by a parent, guardian or caregiver are returned as quickly as possible to that country. This ensures that long-term care and welfare of children can be resolved by the courts in the child's country of habitual residence.

The Convention also allows parents to make an application to seek assistance to contact their child living overseas with the other parent, where rights of access have been breached.

The entry into force of the Hague Convention with the Republic of Korea will provide a legal mechanism for Australians to resolve international parental abduction and access cases involving the Republic of Korea.

The Australian Attorney-General's Department has the lead role in legal issues surrounding the alleged abduction of minors from Australia. People seeking more information about making an application under the Hague Convention can visit http://www.ag.gov.au/childabduction, or contact the International Social Service Australia on 1300 657 843. International Social Service Australia is funded by the Government to provide free legal assistance to members of the public to complete an application under the Hague Convention.