International Adoption in Australia takes a very long time and like you said lot's of red tape.
DH and I were on the list to attend an application Interview/Meeting in Nov and fell preg with our little honey bun.
It's something I'm also very serious about doing in the next few years but it can take 5 yrs in the process before you meet your child.
This I know is absolutely ridiculous as there are so many children out there who need and deserve to be loved.
The country has to have an adoption program with our country for it to be possible.
If you jump on the DHS website it gives you a list of the programs open, the countries, there requirements etc.
I would like to adopt from Ethiopia or India but for Indian adoption into Australia now one of the adoptive parents must be of Indian Decent and for Ethiopia I have heard of people waiting as long as 8 yrs.
Age, Religion, Number of biological children plus so much more is all taken into account.
But definately look at DHS website, adoption is a beautiful thing, there are so many little ones out there who need a loving family.