Mel -might be along way off for you this but
having adopted In NSW (10yrs ago) they want loving people in stable relationships prepared to love and nuture a child. Nothing less or more but ....

It is not about money though you do have to meet the adoption costs ($5000 then I think) - mainly for interview fees, submit court documents etc. And of course not plan to live and raise child in poverty.

You go thru counselling -group and then social work case study (ask you your background and what you are as couple basically)They do police checks etc and lifestyle evaluation (history drugs/alcohol/ parents /upbringing/ how you plan to parent) .

Have to also to be past 1yr IVF or pregnancy Loss etc. The social worker presents your 'case' .If you then get approved to join waiting pool - by a panel 10yrs ago anyway - and then you wait.....

I know people who were renting and only DH had a job - she was giving it up for baby. They had little money and old cars.

The birth mother has a big say these days (even 10yrs ago) and they might pick you from a short list the agency offers - because you live near the beach or have a cute dog - seriously - this happens. They don't match physically at all but more socially / psychologically. Like if your DH played footy and the birth Dad does - so I was told . They don't have to give reasons for or against.

There is no real waiting list but a pool of parents - then the agency might select a few hopefuls with a 'preview' for birth parents.We adopted our son in under 10 months from start. Friends of SIL even less - but may be longer now. Older parents are not discriminated by agency but can be by birth parents IYKWIM. In our case DS's mother did not chose us or anyone - the agency did - but we were their 2nd choice - 1st couple said wanted new baby - our DS was 1 yr old (13 months by time we adopted).

IN NSW- there is Centacare Catholic but don't have to be),Anglican Adoption - Anglicare and Docs . Some others for older children and disabled.

Adoption laws changed dramatically in last few years to give birthparents more say (naming their child esp) and more contact -open adoption so you might need to go for information night or ring one of agencies. Our DS mother never chose to have contact but we do write to siblings adopted elsewhere. It is a good thing open adoptions.

I wish you all the best if this is a path you decide to take.

I don't know much about overseas adoptions but ragged-blossom has her story in Adoption on BB forum and you might want to ask her.