Foster care is for children who cannot live with their own families. They can enter care for many reasons and at any age. 

Foster carers temporarily take on the responsibilities of a parent to provide a child with a secure family environment. 

This may be until a child can return to their family or until a permanent placement for them is found. 

This is a guide for people in NSW who are thinking about fostering a child. It can help you:

• learn what you need to know before becoming a foster carer
• find out how to become a foster carer
• get help with the costs of caring for a foster child
• get practical and emotional support

What you need to know before becoming a foster carer

• About foster care at Department of Communities and Justice
• Who can apply to become a foster carer at Department of Communities and Justice
• Your rights and responsibilities at Department of Communities and Justice
• Types of care at My Forever Family

How to become a foster carer

• Information on how to become a foster carer at Department of Communities and Justice
• Become a foster carer at My Forever Family

Get help with costs

Check if you're eligible for: 

• Financial support for foster carers at Department of Communities and Justice
• Payments for families at Services Australia

Health care costs

• What Medicare covers for children at Services Australia
• Apply for a Foster Child Health Care Card at Services Australia

Transport costs

• Opal cards for children and youth at Transport for NSW
• Child and family fares for NSW regional travel at Transport for NSW

Get support

• Carer support at My Forever Family
• Peer support groups at My Forever Family 
• Emotional wellbeing and mental health at Department of Communities and Justice
• Education and training for carers at Department of Communities and Justice