Families, couples and individuals with or without their own children are able to apply to be Foster Carers. Foster Carers are volunteers who receive non-taxable payments to cover the cost of providing care. Applicants are assessed and trained prior to being approved as carers.

Carers decide on the number, ages and gender of children or young people they can provide care for. Carers also decide on their availability to provide care. Some carers provide care on weekends only and others are able to provide care for as long as a child or young person needs to be in care.

If you are interested in caring for children and/or young people, please consider the following questions. If you can answer yes to them all, read the Foster Care Information booklet and send the Registration of Interest form to CAFS Carer Recruitment Assessment and Training Unit.

  • Have you got room in your house and car for an extra person?
  • Have you got the time to attend to the needs of a child/young person?
  • Are you at least 21 years of age?
  • If you are in a relationship, have you been together for at least 2 years?
  • Are you sure you are not expecting significant changes in your family circumstances over the next 12 months?
  • Are you able to say that you have not had any involvement with Child Protection services regarding your care of a child/young person?
  • Are you prepared to have a police check done (no cost to carer applicants)?
  • Are you willing to apply for a Working With Children Check (no cost to carer applicants)?

If you would like to speak with a worker prior to sending us the Registration of Interest form, please email fostercare@cafs.org.au with your contact number, or phone CAFS on 5337 3333 and ask to speak to a worker about being a Foster Carer.

Current Carer Recruitment Needs

  • Couples or individuals able to accommodate sibling groups.
  • Couples or individuals, with or without their own children, interested in fostering children and young people in any age range.