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How to become a foster carer

Children and young people have become increasingly vulnerable due to COVID-19. We need new foster carers to ensure we can give kids a chance.

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How to become a foster carer

Every year, new homes are needed for thousands of vulnerable children and young people across Victoria. As a foster carer, you will play a critical role in supporting these children and young people by giving them a safe place to call home.

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 and able to provide secure accommodation and appropriate space in your home, you can become a foster carer.

Upcoming information sessions

Our information sessions are currently being held online. During the one hour virtual session the Foster Care Recruitment Manager will talk you through a presentation and what is involved in becoming a foster carer with OzChild.

To attend one of the below online information sessions please complete the enquiry form here.

Tuesday 4 August, 12pm
Thursday 6 August, 8pm

Tuesday 11 August, 1pm

Tuesday 18 August, 12pm
Thursday 20 August, 8pm

Friday 28 August, 10am

Thursday 3 September, 8pm

Frequently Asked Questions

We know that deciding to become a foster carer is a big decision. That’s why we have created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page for answers to some of the most common questions about foster care.

View Foster Care FAQs
What is the best thing about being a foster carer?
Play
How do you juggle working full-time and fostering?
Play

What type of care can you provide?

With both short and long-term care opportunities available, there’s one that can fit into your life.

Emergency care
Emergency care
You would help provide a safe and stable home for a child in an emergency situation, especially when it concerns their immediate safety.
Respite care
Respite care
You would be helping parents and other carers on a temporary basis. It’s a tag-team effort for carers that need a break for short periods of time; namely school holidays or weekends.
Short-term care
Short-term care
You would help provide a safe and loving home to a child in need for 3-6 months. This type of care is focused on reuniting the child with their birth parents or extended family.
Long-term care
Long-term care
You would open your home to a child for 6 months or more. Just like short-term foster care, the focus is to eventually reunite the child back with their parents or extended family.
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 will OzChild support you?

Every OzChild carer household is supported by our Caring Team approach. Our dedicated Case Managers provide a holistic approach to the child or young person in your care and all members of your caring household while our national Thriving Families carer strategy aims to continually improve the carer household experience.

Thriving Families Change Lives

Thriving Families
Change Lives​​

Thriving Families Change Lives​​ is OzChild’s 2020-2023 Carer Strategy.

Respect, support, communication and above all, relationship are the foundations of our Thriving Families carer strategy. With this three-year strategy, we will demonstrate and lead real change in how the community and sector view the role of carers.

Download the full strategy

Become a
foster carer

More children and young people will become increasingly vulnerable due to the COVID-19 crisis. We need new foster carers now to ensure we can give kids a chance. Could you care?

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