Foster carers come from all walks of life. You may be single, partnered or married, with or without your own children.
You may even be related to the child who has entered care and are willing to provide a safe and nurturing environment that is familiar to them.
Foster carers can also work full time, part time or not at all.
Types of carers
There are three types of carers:
- Family carers or ‘significant other’ carers - these are family members, or significant people known to children, which is the preferred care arrangement for children.
- Foster carers - people that are not related or known to the child or children.
- Community carers - is a new type of carer category where the carer belongs to the same cultural group (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) communities). This model of carer enables children and young people to remain connected to their culture.
Foster care options
Foster carers are able to provide a range of different options:
- Temporary care - providing care for children for a short or time limited period (includes pre-adoptive care).
- Long term care - providing care for an extended period.
- Short break care - providing short breaks for other family or foster carers who need a break. This includes:
- Emergency care - providing care at short notice.
Other considerations
We are always looking for Aboriginal and CaLD people from metropolitan, regional, rural, and remote locations across Western Australia who may be interested in becoming carers. Community Carer assessments identify the strengths and skills they can bring to caring for a child from their own cultural group.
We will assess your maturity, health and lifestyle, and your ability work as part of a care team and to promote the child’s wellbeing in a safe and nurturing home environment.
Carers must be citizens or permanent residents of Australia and living permanently in Western Australia. New Zealand holders of a Special Category visa - subclass 444 - are eligible to apply to be foster carers.
Next steps
There are several steps undertaken as part of the application and approval process to become a foster carer. Training is also provided for all applicants who are screened and assessed as suitable.
If you are ready to start your foster care journey, then please complete our enquiry form below and someone from our team will be in touch with you to discuss the process.
If you are a business or organisation and would like to host a foster care information session, please email us at fostering@communities.wa.gov.au.
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