How to be a foster carer in New South Wales

Becoming a carer in New South Wales

If you want to be a foster carer or kinship carer in New South Wales, there are some boxes you need to tick.

• Age

  Foster carers need to be at least 18 years old, with relevant life experience, but ideally 25+.

  Spare room

  A dedicated spare room for a young person in care is required. Siblings (in care) may share a room if it is safe and appropriate to do so. Exceptions may be considered in kinship care.

  Age of your own children

  We know that it is important to be able to meet every child in the household’s needs, and for this reason, we know it is best to match children with carers whose children are older than they are. If you have a child under the age of 18 months, we ask that you wait to start your fostering journey once your youngest child turns 2.

  Residency

  Foster carers need to have the right to live permanently in Australia. This means you need to either be a permanent resident or citizen, or hold a New Zealand citizen with a special class 444 visa.

  Driver’s licence/vehicle

  Foster carers should hold a driver’s licence and have access to a reliable vehicle with comprehensive insurance. Having reliable transport is important to ensure children can access the important networks within their lives.

  Partnership requirements

  If you are applying to foster with a partner, you will need to have been in a stable relationship for at least two years. Both potential carers will need to be willing participants in the process of becoming a carer.

  IVF/adoption considerations

  If you (or your partner) are pregnant, attempting to fall pregnant or involved in fertility, surrogacy or adoption processes, foster care applications are not able to proceed at this time. If you have recently completed assisted fertility treatment, we would ask that you wait 12 months to consider starting your fostering journey, or until your youngest child is 2 years of age.

• Smoking

  We ask foster carers to abstain from smoking inside the home or vehicle when any child is present.

  Health

  Foster carers should be in good physical and emotional health and able to meet the needs of children in their care.

  Shared parenting

  If you and an ex-partner currently share parenting responsibility of children, your child’s other parent must be in full agreement with fostering occurring in your home.

  Working With Children Check clearance*

  All applicants and household members over 18 must be eligible for a Working With Children Check Clearance. A household member is anyone who visits for 21 days, or more, in a year.

  National Criminal Record Check clearance

  All applicants and household members aged 16 years and older are required by law to undergo a National Police Check. There are some criminal charges that may prevent you from becoming a foster carer, and others that may require further exploration in order to assess your suitability.

  Community Services Check

  All applicants and household members, aged 16 years and over, are required to undergo a Community Services Check. This is a review of relevant information about an individual held by the Department of Communities and Justice.

  The NSW Carers Register

  If you apply to be a foster carer in New South Wales your details will be added to the NSW Carers Register. The register records all carer applicants and approved carer households across the state, and is accessible by all Fostering Agencies and Child Protection authorities.

*What is a Working With Children Check? A WWCC is a legal prerequisite for any person aged 18 or over partaking in child-related work, regardless of whether it’s paid or unpaid. It involves a national criminal history check, a review of relevant findings of misconduct and notifications by the NSW Ombudsman.