The Cost of Living Is in the Headlines – But What About the Cost of Caring – The Hidden Crisis 

As the federal election looms, one topic is dominating the national conversation: the cost of living. Politicians are lining up with promises to reduce pressure on households grappling with the rising cost of groceries, petrol, rent, and more. But while we’re all talking about how expensive it’s become just to get by, there’s a conversation that’s still missing — one that impacts some of the most vulnerable members of our community. It’s time we talked about the cost of caring. 

Australia’s foster care system is under immense strain. Carers are stepping up every day to support children and young people who’ve experienced trauma, abuse or neglect. They provide safe homes, stability, and love — often while navigating complex behaviours, health needs, and system gaps. But carers are being stretched too thin, asked to carry more with less, and far too often left to pick up the slack of an underfunded system. And when caring becomes too hard to sustain, it’s the children who pay the highest price. 

With fewer people stepping up to become carers and many existing carers wondering how long they can carry the load, the future of foster care is at risk. That’s why we need more than just talk about living costs — we need bold action on caring costs from those wanting to lead this country. 

The Future of Foster Care campaign has outlined three critical reforms that need to be front and centre this election: 

• Prioritise access to medical and therapeutic support – not just with access to a healthcare card.  

Children in out-of-home care often have complex physical, emotional, and developmental needs. Right now, access to healthcare is inconsistent, slow, and often inadequate. Many carers are left to navigate fragmented systems on their own, using their own time and money to fill the gaps. The campaign is calling for access and financial supports equivalent to a Veteran Gold Card — giving children and young people much more comprehensive access to healthcare than the current foster care healthcare card, ensuring every child in care gets the support they need, when they need it. 

• Reduce financial pressure – the real cost of caring should be the responsibility of our governments, not those who selflessly volunteer to care for a child or young person. 

The financial burden of fostering is real and growing. Under existing tax legislation, increasing tax-free foster care allowances would allow jurisdictions to better support carers and, in turn, the children they care for. Financial insecurity not only impacts the quality and stability of care but also reinforces gender inequality, with most carers being women who reduce their hours or shift to lower-paid work to manage caring responsibilities. 

• Equitable leave entitlements – a bipartisan commitment to supporting volunteer carers would help encourage more people to step up, at a time when Australia is facing a critical foster carer shortage. 

Foster carers play a parenting role, yet they aren’t given the same workplace rights and protections as biological parents. Changing the National Employment Standards to include foster carers would enable more people to take on this vital role without risking their livelihoods. It’s a practical, fair change that would support children by supporting the adults who care for them. 

When we talk about promises in this election, we must include foster carers in the conversation. They are part of the backbone of our child protection system, and right now, that backbone is under strain. 

If we’re serious about creating a better future for children in care, we must recognise that caring has a cost — and that cost shouldn’t fall solely on the shoulders of those who’ve already stepped up. It’s time for political leaders to match the generosity and commitment of carers with real, systemic reform. 

This election let’s go beyond the cost of living. Building Australia’s Future – Getting Australia Back on Track must include promises to lessen the cost of caring — we must call on political parties to acknowledge the federal responsibility by committing to taking action. 

Join the campaign – sign up here https://www.futureoffostercare.org.au/get-involved