Foster care services in Victoria.

Foster carers look after and support vulnerable children and young people between the ages of 0-18 who are unable to live at home or with other family members.

Foster care provides temporary care arranged through approved providers. Carers support daily care while agencies coordinate planning and oversight.

Foster carers come from diverse backgrounds and family types. You can be single or have a partner, have children of your own, work, study, be home-based or retired, be of any culture, religion or sexual orientation, and rent or own your home.

You just need to be 21 or over, have room in your home, and care about children and young people. Foster care involves everyone in a household. If you live with a partner or have children of your own, it is important to discuss it with them before applying.

All household members over 18 will be involved in the assessment process and undergo background checks. You will all need to feel comfortable and ready to take the next step.

If you’re interested in making a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable children and young people, please consider becoming a foster carer.

On average it takes 4 to 6 months to become an accredited foster carer. However, everyone’s circumstances are different so the process could be longer.

This process is a collaboration between you and Uniting (your agency), we will schedule visits, organise training and assessments at a pace that suits you.

Although foster care is a voluntary role, you will receive a reimbursement towards the day-to-day costs of caring for a child or young person. These payments are tax-free and made fortnightly by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH).

Where extra expenses are incurred beyond what is considered the ordinary costs of care, additional financial support may be available. These details will be covered during our information, training and accreditation process.

Learn more by viewing our Foster Care Information Guide. 

Evidence suggests that when young people are in a stable and caring home, they have the best opportunity to thrive.. Foster carers play an important role in helping children and young people stay connected and feeling safe during a time of change and uncertainty.

Becoming a foster carer takes time and dedication and providing care can at times be challenging. However, for the many wonderful foster carers in our community, most say the rewards far outweigh the tough times.

But it’s not just about the emotional rewards, it’s also an opportunity to make a real difference in your community. By helping children meet their full potential, you can help shape the next generation

Hear from some of our carers about their life-changing and rewarding foster care experience in the stories further down this page.

The most common reason children and young people enter foster care is due to child abuse and neglect, parental substance abuse, parental mental health issues and domestic violence. Children and young people may enter care alone or with siblings. They often have experienced trauma or loss, leading to diverse needs.

Research shows quality foster care can vastly improve a child’s future and greatly reduce their chances of homelessness, unemployment, mental and physical health concerns, and involvement with the criminal justice system.

Your choice to become a foster carer can be life-changing for a child or young person.

You can choose to care for children and young people for a night, a weekend or longer, including months and years.

Some carers may choose to provide only one type of care, while others may provide a combination of care arrangements.

Contrary to what people think, you do not have to have a large home to become a foster carer. All that is required is a spare bedroom to provide the children in your care with the personal space, privacy they need and storage for their personal belongings. 

Yes, you can ask for information about a child or young person which will help you prepare for the placement, including information on their medical needs, routine, behavioural needs, placement history, and the reason for their current placement. You’ll also be told the child’s family details, contact arrangements, and how to best support them culturally.

Yes. We will always want to match you with a child who is a good fit for your family. However, it is worth noting that the more specific you are about the type of child best suited to your circumstances, the longer it may take to find an appropriate match.

Yes, you can always say no.

You can let us know when you can and cannot accept a child into your home. You may decide that a specific placement is not right for your family for any number of reasons. We’ll support you through these decisions.

Yes, you may take a short break or discontinue from caring at any time. You can also access short term respite for children in their care.

If you are thinking about returning to foster care, we’ll work closely with you to ensure you have access to the training and resources you need.

Foster carers receive allowances to help cover costs, the amount is guided by government frameworks.

Learn more by viewing our Foster Care Information Guide. 

When you become a foster carer with Uniting, you’ll have a specialised support team with you every step of the way. Support includes:

• Comprehensive training on parenting approaches to support healing and skill
  development
• Ongoing support, supervision and practical assistance from a designated Case
  Worker
• Access to a dedicated expert care team
• Access to respite care for your foster child when you need a break
• After hours on-call support service
• Financial support to help cover the costs that come with being a foster carer.

Foster care is provided by approved carers, while kinship care is provided by family or known connections.

Matching considers a child’s needs, location, schooling, siblings, culture and a carer’s capacity.

 Questions carers can ask:

• What are the child’s routines?
• School or childcare arrangements?
• Health or support needs?

Yes. Providing a bedroom for the children in your care allows them the personal space and privacy they need.

In principle, all adults in the household need to complete checks and an assessment process. Homes must meet safety standards, and carers need to demonstrate the capacity to meet children’s emotional, physical and cultural needs.

No. Foster carers may be single or partnered, renters or homeowners, with or without children. What matters is stability, readiness, and a willingness to learn and be supported.

Yes, depending on your availability and the type of foster care. Foster carers receive ongoing support from the care team throughout a child or young person’s placement. Support may include respite, transport for school or extra-curricular activities, and transport to appointments.

In Australia, foster care sits alongside other forms of out-of-home care, including kinship, permanent care and residential care. While the overarching framework is national, processes and requirements vary by state.

Care teams monitor placements and work with carers, schools, health services and specialists to support wellbeing and safety.

Contact is guided by the child’s plan and safety considerations. Coordination may involve scheduling, transport support and supervised contact when required.