ServiceWA app: Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card

Registrations are now open for the Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card. Find out more about the initiative and how to register through the ServiceWA app.
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About the Foster and Grand Carers Gold Card 

The Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card is a free initiative that will provide eligible foster carers, family carers and grandcarers with a range of discounts, credits and benefits. It recognises and supports their vital role in caring for children and young people. 

Registrations are now open for foster and grandcarers, with a full range of benefits available from early 2027. 

Who is eligible for the Gold Card 

Eligibility for the Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card includes:  

  • All existing foster and family carers (including community and pre-adoptive) 
  • Special Guardianship Order (SGO) carers who have provided a care arrangement for a child (or children) for 14 nights in total between 1 January 2026 and 30 June 2026  

All new foster and family carers are eligible during the first 26 weeks after registering. As a transition, all carers that were approved from 1 January 2026 to 30 June 2026 are eligible for the Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card and it is not based on the number of days of care they have provided. 

How to register for a Gold Card  

The fastest and most convenient way to register for the free Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card and the Energy Bill Relief Payment is through the ServiceWA app.   

To register: 

  1. Download the ServiceWA app and log in with your Digital ID (myID) at a Standard identity strength.  
  1. Visit the Home screen and select the ‘+’ to link a service or navigate to the Discovery tab and search within the ‘Linkable services’. 
  1. Select ‘Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card’ and follow the prompts to register. 
  1. Once you’ve registered for a Gold Card, you’ll receive a ServiceWA app Inbox message with your reference number. 

The ServiceWA app is available to download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 

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To get started with the ServiceWA app, view the ServiceWA app: Support hub. 

If you need assistance to log in with your Digital ID, visit the ServiceWA app: Get your Digital ID page. 

Alternative registration options 

Alternative registration options are also available for people who are unable or do not wish to use the ServiceWA app. You can arrange this by calling Fostering Connections on 1800 182 178. 

Benefits of registering for a Gold Card 

Foster carers who register for a Gold Card will have access to a range of discounts, credits and benefits. 

The first benefit delivered through the Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card will be an Energy Bill Relief Payment. 

The Energy Bill Relief Payment is a one-off payment of $377.14 to help household energy costs (electricity and gas).  

From 1 July – 30 September 2026, eligible carers who have registered for the Gold Card through the ServiceWA app will receive their payment in their nominated account held by the Department of Communities.

More benefits will be added to the Card in 2027.

Help with ServiceWA app 

For technical support, including help with your Digital ID, visit the ServiceWA support hub page. 

For support and general information about the ServiceWA app, reach out to ServiceWA Customer Care by calling 13 33 WA (13 33 92) or emailing support@digital.wa.gov.au. 

You can also find how-to video guides in your language on the ServiceWA app: Resources and Translations page. 

Please direct all queries to Fostering Connections:  

  • Phone: 1800 182 178 (Freecall) 

Grandcarers can contact WA Seniors Card Centre on 1800 671 233 or Fostering Connections on 1800 182 178. 

Stay up to date 

To stay up to date on the current offers and services available, download the ServiceWA app today. 

The ServiceWA app is available to download on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 

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Frequently asked questions

What is the Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card?

The Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card provides a range of discounts, credits and benefits for eligible carers. The first payment will be an Energy Bill Relief Payment to assist with household energy costs (electricity and gas). 

More discounts and rebates will be made available over time.

Are all Foster, Family and Special Guardian Carers eligible?

Eligibility is linked to carers defined under the Children and Community Services Act 2004. This includes: 

  1. Existing foster and family carers (including community and pre-adoptive) who have provided a care arrangement for a child (or children) for at least 14 nights in total between 1 January 2026 and 30 June 2026.  
  1. Special Guardianship Order (SGO) carers.

Eligibility includes carers with either the Department of Communities (Communities) or an out-of-home care provider / Community Service Organisation (CSO) including an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO).  

All new foster and family carers are eligible for the first 26 weeks of their carer registration. As a transition, all Department of Communities, Community Service Organisations (CSO) or an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) carers approved between 1 January - 30 June 2026 are eligible for the Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card, regardless of the number of days of care they have provided. 

After a foster, family and SGO carer’s first six months of carer registration, eligibility for the Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card will be maintained by caring for a child (or children) for 14 nights out of the previous 26 weeks. 

Are grandcarers eligible?

Eligibility is also available to grandcarers who receive the Grandcarers Support Scheme (GSS) payment and are the full-time primary carer for a grandchild.

The grandcarer must not receive any other financial support from the Department of Communities. 

The Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card will be active for one year, renewed annually for grandcarers who receive the GSS. 

If a renewal happens when the child is 17 years or older, the grandcarer is still eligible for the full year of membership, even if the child turns 18 years during that period. 

Who isn’t eligible?

Carers who provide unpaid personal care, support and assistance to a family member needing help with daily life due to disability, impairment, mental illness, age, chronic health conditions, terminal illness, alcohol or drug dependency are not eligible for this incentive.

Is the Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card means tested?

No, if carers meet the above eligibility requirements, they will have access to the benefits outlined.

Do I need to do anything to register?

The fastest and most convenient way to register for the Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card is through the ServiceWA app linkable services. Once registrations open on 1 July 2026 and you are logged in with your Digital ID, the payment will be made available to eligible carers.   

If you need assistance to log in with your Digital ID, visit the ServiceWA app: Get your Digital ID page.

Alternative registration claim options will also be available for people who are unable or do not wish to use the app. More information will become available about alternative ways to register. 

How do I register for a Gold Card in the ServiceWA app?

The ServiceWA app is the fastest, most secure and convenient way to register for a Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card. To register:  

  1. Download the ServiceWA app and log in with your Digital ID (myID) at a Standard identity strength.  
  1. Visit the Home screen and select the ‘+’ to link a service. 
  1. Select Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card and follow the prompts to register. 

Once you’ve registered for a Gold Card, you’ll receive a ServiceWA app Inbox message with your reference number. 

To find out more about your Digital ID, go to: ServiceWA app: Get your Digital ID. 

To access the ServiceWA support hub, go to: ServiceWA app: Support hub. 

What if I am already logged in to the ServiceWA app?

If you are already logged in with your Digital ID, head to the home tab, select the ‘+’ to link a service and select the Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card in the Linkable Service list. 

If it has been a while since you last used the ServiceWA app you might be asked to log in again with your Digital ID. 

I can’t log in to the ServiceWA app

Make sure you use the same email address to log into the ServiceWA app that you established your Digital ID with.  

You can also access the ServiceWA support hub for direct support. 

Do all carers in the household need to register?

All eligible carers within a household are encouraged to register for a Gold Card. Foster, family and Special Guardianship Order (SGO) carers who register in the ServiceWA app can be notified through their app of offers available to them. Discounts and benefits are applied to the household, not per carer.

What if I don’t want to use the ServiceWA app?

For foster, family and SGO carers who prefer not to use the ServiceWA app, please contact Fostering Connections on 1800 182 178 or attend your local Department of Communities office for further assistance with registration. 

For eligible grandcarers please contact WA Seniors Card Centre on 1800 671 233 or Fostering Connections on 1800 182 178. 

Will my information be shared?

The Department of Communities will not share any of your personal information with a third party, including the ServiceWA app, without permission. The information that the app collects can be found in the ServiceWA privacy policy.

What is the Energy Bill Relief Payment?

The Energy Bill Relief Payment is a WA Government payment for recipients of the Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card that helps with household energy costs (electricity and gas). Gold Card recipients will receive one payment of $377.14 for the household.

When will the Energy Bill Relief Payment be in my account?

If registering for the Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card through ServiceWA, households will receive the full amount of $377.14 directly into their nominated bank account within 30 days of registration approval. 

For foster, family and SGO carers with Communities, CSOs or ACCOs this will be to the same bank account where you receive your fortnightly subsidy. 

For grandcarers this will be to the bank account linked to the GSS payment.

For foster, family and SGO carers who want to update their bank details or understand payment times for the non-ServiceWA channel please reach out to Fostering Connections on 1800 182 178. 

What other benefits can I expect to receive?

The Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card will provide access to a growing range of discounts, credits and benefits commencing with the Energy Bill Relief Payment. Additional support will be introduced over time, including financial assistance with utilities, vehicle licensing fees, family activities and events.   

Grandcarers who meet eligibility criteria will continue to receive the Grandcarers Support Scheme. 

Where can I find more information?

Please visit our website or contact Fostering Connections. 

  • Phone: 1800 182 178 (Freecall) 

Grandcarers can contact WA Seniors Card Centre on 1800 671 233 or Fostering Connections on 1800 182 178. 

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