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Am I eligible?

Thank you for your interest in foster care. CatholicCare has some criteria which we follow when considering the suitability of foster care applicants.

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Q1. How old are you?

Thank you for your interest, however foster carers need be at least 25 years of age. We do however make exceptions for family members. If you are applying to care for a member of your family in a kinship/family placement (maybe your little brother or sister), you will need to be 18 years or over. If you are in this situation, please call us on (02) 9481 2600 to discuss this further.

Excellent. You are suitable to provide all types of foster care. Please continue with this survey.

As long as you are healthy and willing to dedicate yourself to consistently caring for a child or young person, you could be eligible to be a foster carer.

Q2. Are you, and members of your household willing to undertake background checks?

Thank you. You can apply for any type of foster care.

All applicants must complete a Working with Children Check and Criminal Record Check and these checks are conducted throughout the application process, and periodically after becoming a foster carer. Given you are unwilling to undergo a background check, you are not eligible to apply.

All applicants must complete a Working with Children Check and Criminal Record Check and these checks are conducted throughout the application process, and periodically after becoming a foster carer. If you are concerned that you may have a criminal history or adverse court outcome, please call us on (02) 9481 2600 to discuss whether this may impact your ability to foster.

Q3. Do you have a spare bedroom?

That’s good. We will generally only place a child in a home where he or she will have their own bedroom. If they’re part of a young sibling group, they may be able to share with their own brothers or sisters.

Thank you for your interest in helping vulnerable children. Unfortunately you are not eligible as we can only place a child in a home where he or she will have their own bedroom but we understand this is not always possible. Please check back in with us if your circumstances change.

Q4. Are you an Australian citizen or permanent resident?

Great. At least one adult needs to be either a permanent resident or citizen of Australia.

Great. At least one adult needs to be either a permanent resident or citizen of Australia.

Thank you for your interest in helping vulnerable children. At least one adult needs to be either a permanent resident or citizen of Australia. Unfortunately you are not eligible at this stage but we welcome you to apply again down the track if your circumstances change.

Q5. Are you in a relationship?

You can foster if you are single. However, you will need to let us know about any new relationships.

Committed couples with or without children can make great foster carers.

Married or defacto couples must have been married or living together continuously for at least 2 years as we need stability and consistency for foster children. Thank you for your interest in helping vulnerable children. Unfortunately you are not eligible at this stage but we welcome you to apply again down the track.

Q6. Are you currently employed?

We have many great carers who work full-time however children in care need your time and attention. You could make a great respite carer providing care for a child on weekends which helps expand the child’s social network and give their full-time carer a break. If you, or your partner, have flexible working arrangements and can work from home, or are self-employed, you may be eligible for other types of care.

We have specific types of foster care which suit part-time or casual workers.

Excellent. You will suit any type of foster care.

Q7. Do you have children living at home with you, or are you trying for children?

Please note any foster children placed with you need to be at least 2 years younger than your youngest child.

Great. You will suit any type of foster care.

Q8. Do you have lots of time to spend with a foster child?

Children in care all need someone who can spend time with them, support them to learn and grow and help them reach their developmental and educational milestones. Whether you become a long or short term, emergency or respite carer, you will need to be able to give your time generously to children in care.

Children in care all need someone who can spend time with them, support them to learn and grow and help them reach their developmental and educational milestones. Whether you become a long or short term, emergency or respite carer, you will need to be able to give your time generously to children in care. Please check back in with us if your circumstances change.

Thank you for completing our survey. We need a few final details to complete your enquiry. Sandra in our foster care team will be in touch about the next steps.

Your phone number or email

Thank you for your interest in foster care. We will be in touch shortly.
In the meantime should you wish to reach us please call (02) 9481 2600.
We look forward to talking further.