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How to become a WA foster carer

Foster caring is one of the most important and rewarding roles you can play in your community. You can help shape the life of a child or young person by bringing safety, stability and love when they need it most.

Foster care opportunities in Western Australia are available and much-needed. Keep reading our guide to discover how you can become a foster carer.

What is foster care?

Foster care gives children and young people in need a safe, secure and nurturing home environment. A foster carer supports children who are unable to live with their birth family. These children have often experienced trauma, and the different forms of foster care are designed to meet their unique needs and circumstances.

You can provide short-term care or longer-term care arrangements, depending on what is right for your family. To become a foster carer you will need to be trained, assessed and accredited. This process involves several screening checks, and we’ll be there for every step.

There are a few requirements to be able to qualify to be a foster carer, but the most important thing is a desire to provide a safe and caring home to children and young people.

If you would like to know more and discuss the options available to you, please complete our enquiry form, register to an information session, or call 1300 791 677.

Complete enquiry form Register to an information session

Types of care in Western Australia

Short-Term

Short term arrangements can last from a few months to two years. These arrangements are made for children for whom the plan is to return home to their family.

Long term

It isn’t always possible for foster children to be reunited with their birth families. Sometimes the need to stay in Foster Care until they reach the age of 18 years. This is the age young people usually leave care but many states are now offering them option to remain in care.

Part-time care (Respite care)

Fostering does not have to be full time. Part time carers look after a child on weekend or for a few days while their regular carer has a break. It can be difficult for a child to go to different people so we try to arrange for the child always to go to the same part time Carer so they can get to know each other.

Who can be a foster carer?

Like the children they support, foster carers come from different backgrounds and have unique life stories – they may be single or partnered, own or rent their home, be studying, stay at home or retired, and already have children or not. Foster carers can also come from any culture or religion.

What matters is the desire to provide a loving, secure and safe environment for vulnerable children and young people. Foster parents are compassionate and resilient, and they understand that every child has different needs. A good sense of humour goes far too! There are some requirements in order to become a foster carer, including:

  • Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Have space in your home for a child or young person
  • Have Police and Working with children checks (we’ll help you obtain these)
  • Complete a health check, referee checks, and a home and environment check (we’ll help you with these checks)
  • Complete training to prepare you to become an accredited carer
  • Undertake thorough assessments (we’ll be there to help you with this).
Become a foster carer today

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

Get in touch with us!

Complete our online enquiry form or call us on 1300 791 677.

Have a chat to understand more about foster caring

We’ll talk you through the foster care system and help you understand how you can be a part of it. If afterwards you want to know more, we’ll arrange to visit you at your home for an in-person conversation.

Home visit

A team member visits you in your home – where you can ask us anything you want about foster care, and we get a chance to learn about you and your interest in becoming a foster carer. If you want to continue the process and we think that you’re ready, we will go through the mandatory application forms like Police and Working With Children Checks and provide support to enrol you into training.

Training

The Department of Communities, Child Protection and Family Support runs Foster Care Preparation Training in Western Australia. Throughout your foster care journey, you’ll also receive a comprehensive range of resources to support you.

Interview process

Once you’ve completed training, we’ll meet with you approximately four times for assessment interviews. In these we’ll discuss your life, how MacKillop can support you as a foster carer, how you would respond to certain situations, and the types of foster care that fits you best.

Become a foster carer

A panel of MacKillop staff as well as external stakeholders/partners may accredit you as a foster carer at this time. Once you are accredited, we’ll match you with a child and ask you whether you are able to care for that child. You’ll receive ongoing case management support as you step into this incredible and life-changing role.


What can I expect as a foster carer

Training

We’ll continue providing training support throughout your fostering journey. All MacKillop foster carers have access to trauma-informed training, including trauma theory, attachment theory and the Sanctuary model, so that they can continue providing the best care possible to their foster kids.

Financial Support

MacKillop will provide regular payments to go towards some of the costs of foster caring – like food, utilities, clothing, school needs, recreational activities, medical and dental costs.

Foster care payments are tax-free. Rates can vary depending on the child’s age and needs. MacKillop will talk with you about payment rates when they visit you during the assessment period.

Support

As an accredited Sanctuary organisation, MacKillop recognises that trauma also affects the carers who work with traumatised people. We offer continuous support to our foster carers, including:

  • Comprehensive and flexible training courses
  • Ongoing support from a designated case worker
  • Access to a team of specialists
  • Clinical and Therapeutic support
  • An after-hours call service
  • Support to help you plan your foster child’s care
  • Access to part-time care (respite care) for your foster child when you need a break
  • Links to other MacKillop foster carers in your area
  • MacKillop newsletters with information and resources for foster carers.
Find out more about our support for foster carers

Foster Care FAQs

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.

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.

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.

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.