What is a foster carer?
Foster carers help children and young people who are unable to live with their birth family. Often these children have experienced trauma. There are different types of foster care arrangements designed to meet the individual needs of children and families in various circumstances.
Whether you're considering short-term, emergency or long-term care, understanding the different options available can help you determine which type of foster care might be the right fit for your family.
Our carers are trained, assessed and accredited before they start caring for a child or young person. This process involves several screening checks. We will walk by your side every step of the way.
Please complete our enquiry form, register to an information session or call 1300 791 677 to discuss options available to you, and have your questions answered.
Who can be a foster carer?
Foster carers come from many different backgrounds, family types and all walks of life. What matters most is your capacity to offer stability, care and understanding to a child or young person when they need it most.
As a foster carer you can:
- Be single or have a partner
- Have children of their own or not
- Own or rent their home
- Work, study or be retired
- Be from any culture, religion or sexual orientation.
However, there are some compulsory requirements to be a foster carer. You must:
- Be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have a spare bedroom in your home for a child
- Have current police and Working With Children Checks (we will help you obtain these)
- Complete a health check, referee checks, and home and environment checks (we will help you with these checks)
- Complete training and be accredited or authorised (we provide training and help you with accreditation and authorisation).
How to become a foster carer
Get in touch!
The very first step is to get in touch with us. You can do this by completing our short enquiry form or call us on 1300 791 677 to discuss what's involved.
Chat over the phone
During our first conversation, we explain the foster care system. It’s your first opportunity to ask us anything about foster care, including the process to become a carer and what to expect when fostering children. If you decide to proceed following this conversation, we’ll arrange a time to come to your house to talk in person. We’ll also email you a Welcome to Foster Care information pack, which explains foster care in more detail.
Home visit
Someone from our team will visit you in your home. This is another opportunity to ask us about foster care, particularly about anything from the Welcome to Foster Care information pack. It’s also our chance to get to know you a bit better and learn about your motivations for wanting to be a foster carer. If you’re keen to move to the next step and we think you are ready, we go through the mandatory application forms (such as Police and Working With Children Checks) and invite you to training.
Attend training
Our qualified workers facilitate the ‘Shared Lives’ foster care training, which is the statewide framework in Victoria and New South Wales. In Western Australia, the Department of Communities, Child Protection and Family Support runs Foster Care Preparation Training. The training modules provide up-to-date information about fostering children and child safety. You will also receive a comprehensive range of resources, to support you throughout your foster care journey. We run training regularly.
Participate in interviews
Once you’ve finished the training, we’ll arrange around four meetings with you. During these evaluation sessions, we’ll talk about how your personal experiences can equip you to take on the role of a carer and how MacKillop can best support you as a foster carer, how you would respond in certain situations and the types of foster care you are most interested in.
Become a foster carer
After completing the training and interview process, a panel may accredit you as a foster carer. Once you are accredited, we match you with a child and you’ll receive ongoing case work support. Foster carers are trained, assessed and accredited before they start caring for a child or young person.
Become a foster carer today
We will walk by your side every step of the way. Please complete our enquiry form or call 1300 791 677 to discuss options available to you, and have your questions answered.
Become a foster carer
Foster care FAQs
What kind of support do foster carers receive?
MacKillop provides on-call support, a dedicated caseworker, and access to a specialist therapeutic team. Carers also receive ongoing training and resources to build their confidence and skills.
Will I receive financial reimbursement as a foster carer?
Yes, carers receive a tax-free allowance to help with the cost of raising a child. This covers essentials like food, clothing, school supplies, and activities. The amount varies depending on the child’s needs and the type of care provided.
What support is there for dealing with challenging behaviours?
Carers are trained in trauma-informed approaches like the PACE model to help support children with complex behaviours. MacKillop also offers workshops, clinical advice, and behaviour management strategies tailored to each child. Therapeutic care programs include access to psychological and educational specialists. Carers are never left to manage on their own.
Can I connect with other foster carers?
Yes. MacKillop encourages strong peer connections through mentoring, carer networks, and regular events. New carers are supported by experienced foster carers who share advice and lived experience. Online and in-person opportunities help foster a sense of community and connection.
What locations does MacKillop service?
We provide foster care services across Victoria, New South Wales and Western Australia and foster care recruitment and assessment services in the Sunshine Coast and Central Queensland.
