Become a Foster Carer

Foster care involves temporarily caring for children and young people up to 18 years of age who can’t live with their families. Carers who are trained and accredited give children a safe, nurturing and secure environment while the child's birth family overcomes a crisis or until permanent care is arranged. Most often, the primary aim is to reunite the child with their family. This can take a matter of days or as long as two years.

Start by scheduling an information session through the provided link. Afterwards, we will visit your home to review the application process. You will then complete our training, which focuses on strategies for supporting children or young people who have experienced trauma. An assessment interview will follow, and if you pass, we will match you with a child or young person to serve as their foster carer.

Foster care is available for children and young people up to age 18 who cannot live with their families. They are placed in foster care if they face a risk of harm, neglect, or during family crises such as unemployment, health problems, or disability. Parents can voluntarily seek support. Usually, children return home once it is safe, but some may require permanent foster placements.

Becoming a Wesley foster carer is one of the most meaningful things you can do for a child in need. Many carers describe it as life-changing, not just for the children they support, but for themselves and their families. You'll build resilience, deepen your empathy, and gain skills to help young people through the most difficult moments of their lives.

Wesley carers are part of a supportive community: you'll have a dedicated case manager, 24/7 crisis support, regular training, financial assistance, and connections with other carers who understand your experience. Every child placed with you has faced uncertainty, your home can be their turning point.
If you're curious, start with a free information session. You don't have to commit to anything — just listen.

Our team will discuss any preferences you have, including age or gender, and will aim to match a child to your circumstances.

The authorisation process typically takes between 3 to 6 months from your first information session to being matched with a child. This includes a home visit, background checks, training (usually spread over several weekends), and a formal assessment interview.

Once authorised, matching timelines vary: emergency and short-term placements can be arranged within days; long-term placements may take several months as we work to find the best fit for you and the child.

Starting the process early is always a good idea. Book a free information session to understand where you are in the journey.

Yes, we believe it’s important to keep fostering positive relationships with the child’s birth family. We encourage you to stay connected with them, as well as their community and culture. A case manager will support you in maintaining these relationships and organising regular, supervised visits with their birth family.

Fostering can be deeply rewarding, but challenges are normal, from difficult behaviours and attachment issues to navigating birth family contact. You're never alone.

Every Wesley foster carer has a dedicated case manager who visits monthly, and our 24/7 phone support line means someone is always available in a crisis. We also connect you with specialist services including therapists, medical professionals and educational support.

Our peer network of fellow carers means you can learn from people who have been through similar experiences.

Foster carers receive a regular allowance to help cover the costs of caring for a child or young person, this is not a wage, but financial support to ensure the child's needs are met. The amount varies depending on the age of the child and the type of placement. Specialist care placements attract a higher allowance.

You'll also have access to additional support including educational assistance for the children in your care, medical referrals, and respite funding. At your information session, we'll explain exactly what financial support applies to your situation. Call 1300 325 627 or book a session to find out more.

Yes — many Wesley foster carers work full time. Short-term, long-term and permanent care placements are often the best fit for working carers, as they allow you to plan ahead and establish routines. Emergency care, which requires short-notice availability, can be more challenging alongside full-time work.

Our team will talk through your lifestyle and availability at the home visit stage to find the right match for you. Book a free information session to explore your options.

The goal of most foster placements is reunification, helping the child return safely to their birth family once the family crisis has been resolved. This is always handled gradually and with the child's wellbeing at the centre, and your case manager will support both you and the child through any transition.

In some cases, reunification is not possible, and the child may move to a permanent placement, which can include staying with you long-term or eventually being adopted. It's natural to form close bonds with children in your care, and endings can be emotional. Wesley provides dedicated support to help carers through these transitions. You are not alone in this.

Respite care involves providing a short, planned break for a child or young person's primary foster carer, typically for a weekend each month, school holidays, or a week or two at a time. It's a great starting point if you're not yet ready for a full-time placement, or if your own family commitments make longer-term care difficult.

Respite carers still go through the same training and authorisation process and receive the same support and financial assistance. Many people begin as respite carers and go on to take on longer placements. Book an information session to find out if respite care is right for you.