FAQ's

Any adult who lives in Queensland can apply to become a foster carer with us. Our carers can be single people, those with partners, people from different cultural backgrounds, LGBTIQ+, renters, home-owners, full-time workers, those without children, those with children, retirees. You just need to be able to provide a stable, safe and secure home.

Foster carers need to be in reasonable health, have a safe home for children, and be able to obtain a Blue Card (working with children check).

Apply to be a foster carer 

Anyone who is either related to the child - e.g a grandparent, uncle, aunt, other extended family member - or someone with an established relationship with the child. Kinship carers need to be an adult who's in reasonable health, have a safe home for children, and be able to obtain a Blue Card (working with children check).

Anyone with the time, energy and empathy for children who can provide a stable, caring home. Someone who can listen and set boundaries and routines. Many of our foster carers work full-time and are fantastic foster carers. Some already have children, some are sole carers and others are in relationships. 

Learn more about who's eligible

Yes. All of our carers are offered parenting skills and other relevant training they can choose to participate in - it's not mandatory. We also have a 24/7 support line for foster carers to call any time, while they have a child in their care.

Whenever you have a child in your care under an approved kinship care or foster care arrangement, you'll receive a fortnightly carer allowance that's set by government for foster carers and kinship carers. The allowance is tax-free, and not considered income by Centrelink or the Australian Tax Office. The allowance changes depending on factors, including the child's age, with the base fortnightly allowance starting at around $525.

While the allowance may not cover all costs associated with caring for a child, it is designed to help meet your day-to-day costs. There are also other allowances on top of the base allowance, that you may be eligible for.

Fortnightly caring allowance

There's also a Carer Business Discount Card, that you'll be eligible for - often offering 10% at many retailers across Queensland.

Carer Business Discount Card

Yes. For foster carers, this is every two years. For Kinship Carers, this is every two years or any time an additional child is placed with you.

No

No. You don't need a university degree or training certificate. You do need to be able to obtain a Blue Card (working with children check).

No, but please think about how you will transport the child to school or kindergarten or childcare, and also to appointments and other outings.

Every carer is assessed on an individual basis. Having a history of mental illness does not mean someone is automatically excluded from becoming a foster carer.

Carers need to be in reasonable health, however many have medical conditions that they manage well. Having a medical condition doesn't exclude you from becoming a carer. You'll do a health assessment as part of your application process.