Become a Foster Carer

The legal requirements for being a Foster Carer in NSW are that you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, are at least 25 years of age, and have a cleared Working with Children Check and National Police Check.

On average, the process at Burdekin takes two to three months, though this timeframe can vary depending on the availability and flexibility of the applicant.

The only age requirement to be a Foster Carer is that you need to be over 25 years of age (excluding relative or kinship caring). While different age groups may bring various strengths to the role, the focus is on the carer's capability and circumstances rather than age.

It is essential that potential carers are mentally fit and healthy, and able to provide ongoing care for a young person over several years, supporting them as they grow into adulthood.

You do not need any qualifications to become a Foster Carer. However, during the assessment process, you will be required to complete some training—specifically, Shared Lives Training.

At Burdekin, we typically conduct this training one-on-one with applicants, either face-to-face or online. This training provides a solid understanding of the fundamentals of caring and helps you assess whether fostering is the right fit for you. If you are approved as a carer, training is then a mandatory requirement.

If it is identified that you require further training, the support worker allocated to you will communicate this.

Yes – Burdekin operates only in the Sydney area.

Burdekin specialises in caring for tweens and teenagers, specifically those aged 8 to 17 years, and we do not include young children in our program. This focus allows us to tailor our support and services to the unique needs and challenges of this age group, further setting us apart from other foster care organisations.

Most of Burdekin's carer placements are long term, meaning that if both the carer and the young person are happy with the arrangement, they can remain together until the young person reaches adulthood or even longer. After the young person turns 18, it is common for carers and young people to continue to stay in contact, maintaining the supportive relationship they have built over the years.

Burdekin supports carers with family contact by often using Youth Workers to facilitate these interactions. This support continues until Burdekin and the carer are confident that everyone’s safety is ensured and that all parties are in a respectful and positive place. The aim is to provide a safe and constructive environment for family contact, supporting the wellbeing of both the young person and their family connections.

Many times, yes, you can travel with your foster child. If you plan to travel interstate, discuss this with the Case Manager. For travel overseas or interstate (including Canberra), you will need to get prior permission from the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ), so advance notice is required. Burdekin supports the idea of young people having "normal" family experiences like travelling and holidays. However, it's important that the placement is functioning well, as Burdekin’s practical support may be limited while you are out of state.

NSW Foster Carers do not get paid, this is a volunteer role. Burdekin provides carers with a fortnightly allowance to look after a young person’s basic needs such as utilities, food, basic toiletries and social outings.

Burdekin provides extra financial support for a range of other things, such as clothing, school uniforms, dental and medical and sporting registrations.

Burdekin is a very generous organisation that provides financial support to cover the needs of a young person living with a carer. Typically, carers do not need to use their own money for the young person's expenses unless they choose to do so. Being a carer is a volunteer role and is not paid. Carers are responsible for financially supporting themselves.

We welcome your questions about becoming a Foster Carer!

You can contact us on the contact form or by emailing: carer@burdekin.org.au

More reading:

6 Steps to Becoming a Foster Carer

Foster Care FAQ

Types of Foster Care