OzChild Foster Care

"Every kid is one caring adult away from being a success story"

Josh Shipp

Could that caring adult be you? Being a foster carer can be life changing, for you and the child in your care. Find out more about making a difference in the life of a child or young person and how you can open up a world of possibility for them.

The heart truth

Every year, more than 45,000 children across Australia are in need of a loving home. We help connect these children with foster carers that can provide them with a safe and stable environment. All young people should have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The heart facts

9,000

OzChild supports over 9,000 children, young people and family members a year.

45,000

Over 45,000 children are in need of care each year.

45

Every 45 minutes a child enters the care system in Australia.

Change the world for a child in need. All you need is room in your heart, and your home.

Get involved

There are several types of foster care opportunities. You can provide care for a night, a weekend, a few months or even years. We also offer a number of specialised programs, depending on your experience and what suits you.

As an emergency carer...

You would help provide a safe and secure home for a child in an emergency situation, especially when it concerns their immediate safety.

As a respite carer...

You would be helping parents and other carers on a temporary basis. It’s a tag-team effort for carers that need a break for short periods of time; namely school holidays or weekends.

As a short-term carer...

You would help provide a safe and loving home to a child in need for 3–6 months. This type of care is focused on reuniting the child with their birth parents or extended family.

As a long-term carer...

You would open your home to a child for 6 months or more. Just like short-term foster care, the focus is to eventually reunite the child back with their parents or extended family.

Treatment Foster Care Oregon...

You would help support our most vulnerable children in our internationally proven foster care program for 9–12 months. This specialised program includes generous tax-free reimbursements and life-changing outcomes for children.

Important
things to know

You’ll never be alone on your journey. We recognise that our carers need ongoing support in order to provide the best care possible and we are here to assist you every step of the way.

We’re proud to provide the highest levels of ongoing training and support to our carer community.
Carers experience a tailored Case Worker/Carer Support model unique to OzChild. This also includes after-hours support.
You will receive a fortnightly tax-free allowance to cover all expenses related to the child in your care.

Why OzChild?

For nearly 170 years we have been giving children and young people the chance to shine. We work hard every day to improve the lives of at-risk children, young people and their families, but we can’t do it alone, will you join us?

Our vision

It is our goal to see that all children and young people are safe, respected and nurtured, and reach their full potential.

Our purpose

We support vulnerable children and young people by providing healing, preventing abuse and neglect, and strengthening families.