(1)  In this regulation –

report writer means –

(a) in the case of an accepted applicant recorded on the register of accepted applicants maintained by the Secretary, an officer of the Department; or

(b) in the case of an accepted applicant recorded on the register of accepted applicants maintained by the principal officer of an approved agency, the principal officer or a person on the staff of that approved agency who has one of the qualifications referred to in regulation 6(3) .

(2)  A report writer must prepare an assessment report on an accepted applicant within 12 months after the accepted applicant's name is recorded on the register of accepted applicants.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(3)  An assessment report is to include –

(a) whether or not the accepted applicant satisfies the prescribed requirements under regulation 18 ; and

(b) any additional information concerning the accepted applicant that the report writer considers relevant; and

(c) a statement relating to the suitability of the accepted applicant to adopt a child, either generally or in a particular case; and

(d) the capacity of the accepted applicant to care for a child; and

(e) the capacity of the accepted applicant to meet the physical, emotional, educational and developmental needs of a child in an appropriate and sustained manner; and

(f) if an accepted applicant wishes to have a child with special needs, or of a particular age or cultural background placed in their care with a view to adoption, the capacity of the accepted applicant to meet the particular needs of such a child; and

(g) any other information regarding any other matter which the report writer considers relevant to –

(i) the assessment of the accepted applicant's suitability to adopt a child; and

(ii) the suitability of the accepted applicant to have a child placed with him or her with a view to the adoption of that child.

(4)  A report writer must provide a copy of an assessment report at the time that it is prepared to the accepted applicant in respect of whom the assessment report is made.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.

(5)  Within 7 days after receiving a copy of an assessment report under subregulation (4) , an accepted applicant may provide written comments on any matter contained in the assessment report to the report writer.

(6)  A report writer must provide the Secretary or relevant principal officer with a copy of the assessment report and any written comments provided under subregulation (5) within 21 days after –

(a) he or she receives the written comments; or

(b) the assessment report is provided to the accepted applicant –

whichever first occurs.

Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units.