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How to become a foster carer in Queensland

MacKillop Family Services is the service provider appointed to inform, train and assess people to become foster carers in Central Queensland and the Sunshine Coast.

As a respected not-for-profit organisation with extensive experience supporting children, young people and families, we will guide prospective foster carers through every stage of the recruitment process, from initial enquiry and application through to assessment and approval. 

Once you are an approved carer, our Foster Care Recruitment Service will transition you to the foster care service provider of your choice, which will provide ongoing case management support, and care throughout your foster caring journey.  

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Foster care service providers in Queensland

MacKillop's Foster Care Recruitment Service is pleased to work closely with Queensland Foster Care service providers and the Queensland government to create a seamless and supported experience for foster carers. Please find below our valued sector colleagues providing foster care services in Central Queensland and the Sunshine Coast:

What is the process to becoming a foster carer in Queensland?

Be informed

Attend an online information session

Application and background checks

Submit an application and undergo police and medical checks

Training

Complete mandatory pre-service training (Getting Ready to Start) to equip you with trauma-informed care skills

Assessment

A Foster Care Recruitment Service practitioner will conduct interviews and home visits to evaluate your suitability, skills, and living environment

Transition to foster care service provider

Once you are an approved carer, we will transition you to the foster care service provider of your choice


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. To become a foster carer in Queensland, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Age: You must be 18 years or older
  • Background Checks: You and anyone else over 18 living in your household must be eligible for a Blue Card (Working with Children Check)
  • Health: You must have the health and wellbeing needed to care for a child or young person
  • Living Situation: You can own, buy, or rent your home, provided you have a safe and secure environment with enough space for a child
  • Citizenship/Residency: You must be an Australian citizen or hold a permanent or eligible visa.

Once you are approved you can change what type of care you would like to provide, unless there are any restrictions on your certificate.

Becoming a foster carer

Types of care in Queensland

Emergency Care

Short-notice placements for children needing immediate safety, typically lasting from a few days to a few weeks.

Short-term

Ongoing, day-to-day care lasting anywhere from a few weeks up to two years. Carers often support reunification efforts with the child's biological family.

Long term

Stable, permanent parenting for children who are unable to return to their birth families, extending until they reach adulthood.

Respite (Short Breaks) Care

Provides temporary, short breaks (e.g. weekends) for primary or long-term foster and kinship carers. 

Intensive/Therapeutic Care

Specialized support for children and young people with complex, extreme, or trauma-based support needs.  Support for carers of children with complex and special needs includes additional training, financial support and respite.

Kinship

Care provided specifically by relatives, close family friends, or trusted community members to maintain a child's cultural and personal connections.

Foster Care FAQs

Every service provider has a range of support services to help you along your foster care journey. Please review our list of service providers to have a better idea of what this support looks like across the region.

Yes, carers receive a fortnightly caring allowance (tax-free ) 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; an additional allowance may be provided for children with high, complex or extreme support needs.

Carers may also be eligible for Commonwealth Government benefits, such as the Family Tax Benefit Part A, Family Tax Benefit B, Child Care Subsidy, Parental Leave Pay or Parenting Payment. For more information, call Centrelink on 13 61 50 or visit www.servicesaustralia.gov.au

The Carer Business Discount Card scheme recognises the valuable contributions of carers throughout Queensland. All approved foster and kinship carers in Queensland will automatically receive the card, which entitles carers to a wide range of discounts on goods and services from participating businesses across the state.

There are no costs relating to the assessment process for the applicants.

To ensure that applicants meet all the requirements set out in the Child Protection Act 1999, the process may take three to six months.

Please fill in and submit this Foster Care Enquiry Form.

You can also register now for one of our online Information Session.