Our work

Foster Care

Our foster care program places children and young people who are unable to live at home in temporary care, giving them a place where they can feel safe.

Who are we supporting with our foster care program?

Our foster care program supports children and young people between the ages of 0-17 who are unable to live at home or with other family members.

The aim of foster care is to place children and young people with accredited foster carers, giving them a place where they feel safe and supported.

Foster care placements can range from short, medium or long term with the ultimate aim of reuniting the child with their birth family.

Who can become a foster carer?

Foster carers come from all types of family units (including singles), backgrounds and cultures. Race, gender, marital status, religion or sexual orientation have absolutely no bearing on eligibility.

At OzChild, we value all prospective foster carers with the qualities and beliefs that we know will give every child and young person the chance to shine. 

As long as you are over the age of 21, able to provide secure accommodation and appropriate space in your home, and live within our Melbourne service areas or Queensland service areas, you can become a foster carer.

45,000
Children and young people are in need of care each year
550
The number of children, young people and family members OzChild supports on any given night
Every 45 minutes
A child enters the care system in Australia

How are services delivered?

Children and young people in need of care are referred to OzChild by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing once it has been deemed that they can no longer live at home. 

OzChild then works with its existing foster carer pool to find the most suitable placement for the child or young person. 

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Find out if Foster Care is available in your state

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This program is available in your state

Click here to view the contact details for your local offices.

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Unfortunately, this program is not available in your state

More information about our foster care program

Intake

For further information about Intake, please call the relevant office: Dandenong (03 9212 3900), Frankston (03 8796 0000), Yarraville (03 9212 3977) or Ipswich (07 4591 8523)

Become an OzChild foster carer

Start your journey today and become a foster carer. Our information sessions are a great way to learn about foster care from our experienced staff. Click here to find out more if you’re based in Melbourne or Click here to find out more if you’re based in Queensland.

OzChild acknowledges the support of the Queensland, Victorian Governments and the Government of the Australian Capital Territory.

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