Last updated: 18 May 2026
There are a range of reasons children and young people come into out-of-home care, but whatever the reason, what they all need is a stable and nurturing environment to live in.
Foster, family and community carers play a vital role in changing the lives of vulnerable children and young people by providing support, guidance, and love.
Carers can come from all walks of life. They may rent or own a home; be single, partnered or married; have children of their own or none; live in the city, small town or a rural or remote community; and work part time, full time or not at all.
Our carers often tell us that making the decision to help and provide vulnerable children and young people with a loving home has been one of the best decisions they’ve ever made.
It could be one of the best decisions of your life too!
Types of carers
Foster care
Foster care is when a care arrangement is provided by an individual, couple or family that are not known to the child or young person prior to entering care.
For information on becoming a foster carer, you can watch our pre-recorded information session or make an enquiry to have any questions answered.
If you are ready to start your foster care journey, please complete our enquiry form below and someone from our team will contact you to discuss the process.
If you are a business or organisation and would like to host a foster care information session, please email us at fostering@communities.wa.gov.au.
Family care
Family carers care for children and young people who are known to them as part of their family or kinship system.
If you are interested in caring for a family member, please contact the Fostering and Family Care team on 1800 182 178 or contact your local Department of Communities district office.
Community care
Community carers care for children and young people from their own Aboriginal or culturally and linguistically diverse background. This approach recognises the importance of culture, identity and community connection for children and young people who are unable to live with their parents.
Community carers are supported in ways that recognise lived experience and cultural knowledge, helping children maintain a sense of belonging while in care.
If you are interested in becoming a community carer, please contact the Fostering and Family Care team on 1800 182 178.
Care options
Carers may provide long term, short term or emergency care based upon the child or young person’s needs and the carer’s preference and capacity.
Temporary care - providing care for a short or time limited period (includes pre-adoptive care).
Long term care - providing care for an extended period.
Short break care - providing short breaks for other family or foster carers who need a break.
Emergency care - providing care at short notice.
Other considerations
If you apply to become a carer, we will assess your maturity, health and lifestyle, and your ability work as part of a care team and to promote the child’s wellbeing in a safe and nurturing home environment.
Carers must be citizens or permanent residents of Australia and living permanently in Western Australia. New Zealand holders of a Special Category visa - subclass 444 - are eligible to apply to be foster carers.
Who should I foster with?
There are a number of organisations across Western Australia who can support you in your foster carer journey.
You have the option to foster a child directly through:
the Department of Communities (Communities); or
via an Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisation; or
via a Community Sector Organisation that provides foster care services.
If you choose Communities, you will have direct access to Communities’ case workers.
If you foster through an agency, they will provide you with a case worker who liaises on your behalf with Communities
South West Aboriginal Medical Service Aboriginal Corporation (SWAMS)
Enquiries: Kwaba Bidi website
Key Assets the Children's Services Provider
Enquiries: Key Assets website
Life Without Barriers
Enquiries: Life Without Barriers website
Department of Communities:
Office locations: Bunbury, Busselton, Collie, Manjimup.
Enquiries: Foster care online enquiry form
Information taken from Department of Child Protection Website: 18 May 2026
For more information on fostering in the Southwest, contact 1800 182 178 or follow the link below: Become a foster or family carer