Settlement Guide: Foster care in Australia: How does it work?

Family

Happy family in the park evening light. Source: getty Images

Currently in Australia there is a shortage of foster parents and in some cases, foster parents from certain cultural backgrounds are needed.


Foster parent regulations and processing vary by state and territory; one can work directly with a government department or with a foster agency.
But there are important steps that are the same no matter where you are in Australia.
The first step is to contact the local agency and get more information.
If the prospective foster parents meet the criteria and the first interview goes well, they will then go through an assessment process where the agency determines whether they are suitable to be foster parents and whether this is in line with their expectations.
If you or anyone you know may need support, call the Domestic Violence Line on 1800 656 463, or the Child Protection Helpline on 13 2111.



Share