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An inter-country tug-of-war over Qian Xun Xue looks unlikely at this stage, despite the involvement of New Zealand, Australia and possibly China in her plight.
Her future is likely to depend on whether family come forward to claim her but if no one does she could be returned to New Zealand and eventually put up for adoption.
The people looking after the little girl say she is bonding well with her foster parents and their children, and is acquiring a taste for Vegemite on toast.
Victoria's Department of Human Services says she is is receiving "lots of love and cuddles" and is sleeping well.
"She was distressed early in the week when she was asking for Mummy but [the foster family] have done a cracking job in supporting her and comforting her," spokesman Brendan Ryan said. "She's sleeping okay, she's eating okay and she's quite fond of Vegemite on toast."
He said the foster family had bought Qian a doll, which she now carries all the time.
"She is getting lots of love, lots of cuddles and lots of hugs," Mr Ryan said.
Family law expert Pauline Tapp, an associate professor at Auckland University's law department, said yesterday that Australia had taken the immediate protective action required in the case of an abandoned child by placing her in foster care.
While New Zealand and Australia had reciprocal arrangements in terms of children needing care and protection, this was usually used when states took action against a parent.
"Well, we haven't got any parents. We've basically got a child and Australia could say to New Zealand, I suppose, 'She's one of your citizens, you pay'. But my guess is she's in Australia and Australia will take responsibility and will try to sort it out through Interpol," Professor Tapp said.
If relatives came forward from either New Zealand or Australia the child protection laws of both countries would try to place the toddler with relatives first, which was in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
If relatives were found in China, but not in New Zealand or Australia, it was possible Qian would be sent to China, but only after child protection authorities had checked.
And if she remained unclaimed, it was possible she would be returned to NZ and a family found for her.
"If there is absolutely nobody [relatives] then adoption is probably better," Professor Tapp said.
"There is a preference for family placement but if there's no family this child should have the opportunity to be like any other child and have a permanent family."
Police have said NZ authorities will discuss Qian's situation with their Australian counterparts.
additional reporting: NZPA
