How Foster Care Works in Australia: Roles, Process, and Support
Category: Health | Published: November 18, 2025
Foster care plays a vital role in Australia’s child protection system, offering safety, stability, and care to children who cannot live with their birth families due to trauma, neglect, family crisis, or other difficult circumstances. Understanding how foster care works—from the roles involved to the detailed assessment and support processes—helps potential foster carers, families, and communities understand how they can contribute to a child’s wellbeing.
In Australia, the foster care system is built on collaboration between government agencies, non-profit organisations, carers, and families, all working together to ensure children receive the support they need to grow and thrive.
1. The Purpose of Foster Care in Australia
Foster care provides temporary or long-term placement for children who need a safe environment. The goal is always centred on the child’s best interests, whether that means returning home when it’s safe, staying in long-term care, or transitioning into independent living as a young adult.
Foster care aims to:
- Provide safety, stability, and nurturing
- Support emotional healing and development
- Maintain cultural and family connections
- Create positive routines and healthy relationships
- Prepare children for adulthood where needed
Foster carers form the heart of this system, offering day-to-day care and emotional support to children during some of the most vulnerable times in their lives.
2. Key Roles in the Australian Foster Care System
a. Foster Carers
Foster carers are approved individuals or families who open their homes to care for children. They provide:
- A safe and stable environment
- Daily care and supervision
- Emotional and behavioural support
- Encouragement in school, social, and life skills
- Connection to family and community
Carers work closely with caseworkers and support professionals to ensure children’s needs are met.
b. Child Safety Departments
Each state and territory in Australia has its own child protection authority (e.g., Child Safety Queensland, DCJ New South Wales, DHHS Victoria). These agencies:
- Assess risk
- Make decisions about child removal or reunification
- Oversee case planning
- Monitor placements
c. Foster Care Agencies
Non-government agencies (like Foundations Care, Life Without Barriers, Anglicare, etc.) support carers by providing:
- Training
- Supervision
- 24/7 support
- Carer advocacy
- Placement matching
d. Birth Families
Where possible and safe, birth families remain involved. Many children maintain contact through supervised visits or phone calls. The long-term goal is often reunification when parents are able to provide a safe environment
3. The Foster Care Process in Australia
The process of becoming a foster carer is thorough, ensuring that every child is placed in a secure and supportive home.
Step 1: Enquiry and Information Session
Potential carers start by contacting a foster care agency or attending an information session. This helps them understand the requirements, responsibilities, and types of care available.
Step 2: Application and Screening
Once interested, applicants submit forms, undergo initial checks, and begin the screening process. This includes:
- Criminal history checks
- Working with Children check
- Medical assessments
- Interviews
Step 3: Training Programs
All carers must complete mandatory Foster Carer training. Training covers:
- Trauma-informed care
- Behaviour management
- Child development
- Cultural safety
- Communication and resilience
This stage helps carers prepare for real-life caring situations.
Step 4: Home Assessment / Home Study
A caseworker visits the home multiple times to assess:
- Safety and suitability of the environment
- Family dynamics
- Motivation to foster
- Ability to support a child’s emotional needs
This in-depth assessment ensures every placement is safe and appropriate.
Step 5: Approval and Matching
Once approved, carers are matched with a child whose needs fit their skills, preferences, and home environment. This matching process prioritises:
- Safety
- Cultural connection
- Child’s age and needs
- Carer strengths and capacity
Step 6: Placement and Ongoing Support
When the child is placed, carers receive ongoing support through:
- Caseworker visits
- 24/7 assistance
- Training refreshers
- Financial support
- Behavioural and therapeutic services
The journey continues with regular reviews and care planning meetings.
4. Types of Foster Care in Australia
Foster care varies depending on a child’s needs and the carer’s availability. The main types include:
Short-Term or Emergency Care
For urgent placements, often only for a few days or weeks.
Long-Term Care
For children unable to safely return home; they may stay with carers for years.
Respite Care
Short breaks for full-time carers or families, often for weekends or holidays.
Kinship Care
Placement with relatives or people who have a close connection to the child.
Therapeutic or Specialist Care
For children with complex behavioural or trauma-related needs.
5. Support Available for Foster Carers
Australia has strengthened support systems for carers, recognising their vital role. Carers receive:
a. Financial Support
Reimbursements help cover:
- Food
- Clothing
- Education
- Transport
- Activities
Additional allowances may be available for high needs children.
b. Professional Support
Carers have access to:
- Caseworkers
- Specialists and therapists
- Cultural support workers
- Regular training
c. Emotional Support
Many agencies offer:
- Peer carer groups
- Helplines
- Carer mentoring
These resources help carers feel confident and supported 24/7.
6. The Importance of Cultural Connection
Australian foster care emphasises preserving a child’s identity, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Agencies follow the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Placement Principle, which ensures children remain connected to:
- Family
- Kin
- Country
- Culture
Maintaining cultural connection is essential to healing and belonging.
7. Working Toward Positive Outcomes
The ultimate goal of foster care is the best possible outcome for each child. This may involve:
- Reunification with birth family
- Long-term foster placement
- Permanent care arrangements
- Independent living for older teens
Every decision is guided by the child’s safety, emotional wellbeing, and future stability.
Conclusion
Foster care in Australia is a collaborative and carefully designed system focused on protecting children and supporting families. By understanding the roles, processes, and support available, potential carers can make informed decisions and feel confident in their ability to make a meaningful difference.
Becoming a foster carer is not only a responsibility—it is an opportunity to transform a child’s life and offer hope during difficult times. With strong support systems, ongoing training, and community involvement, Australia continues to provide a stable foundation for children in need through compassionate and dedicated foster carers.