Foster care Sydney

In Sydney, many children and young people are in need of a safe place to call home. For some, this is a short term need, for others a more permanent one. By becoming a foster carer in Sydney, you can give a child stability, care, and the chance to thrive.

With Wesley Mission, you will not embark on the foster caring journey alone. By providing ongoing support and drawing on more than 130 years of caring experience, we’ll ensure you have everything you need to make a real difference in a child’s life.

Book an info session

Why choose Wesley Mission for foster care in Sydney?

For more than 130 years, we’ve been putting children and young people’s interests first, providing them with safe, stable, nurturing places to call home. We value our foster carers highly and ensure your dedication is matched by a network that empowers you with training, resources, and meaningful support.

Ongoing, timely support

Including a 24/7 call line, monthly case manager visits, financial support and respite care.

Diverse types of care

From short-term care to permanent placement, kinship care to respite, we enable foster care options that suit you.

Deep experience and networks

With a long history and operations across NSW, you’ll know you’re backed by a long-standing organisation and extensive network of peers.

Culturally connected care

We’re committed to ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are cared for within their culture and community by partnering with Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations.

If you have a genuine interest in caring for children, consider providing foster care in Sydney, NSW, with us.

How we support our foster carers

24/7 Support

On-call crisis support day or night, for all Sydney foster carers.

Ongoing Training

Access foster care training and support.

Case manager support

Monthly supportive visits from your case manager.

Personalised care services

Get referrals to medical specialists, tutors or other Wesley Mission support services.

Resources for education

Access to educational and scholarship opportunities.

Financial support

Receive an allowance to help cover the costs of providing foster care in Sydney.

Peer support

Connect with other foster carers in Sydney and broader NSW.

A break when you need it

Access regular respite to support your wellbeing.

Support from a chaplain

Receive emotional and spiritual support when you need it.

Types of foster care you can provide in Sydney

Young woman smiling - Emergency Foster Care

Give a child or young person somewhere safe to stay at a time of crisis. This care is usually at short notice and can range from one day up to four weeks.

Foster Care Landing Page | Types of Care | Young Adult with Dog - Short Term Care

Give a child or young person a temporary place to stay until they can return safely to their birth family or find an alternative permanent home. This care ranges from four weeks to two years.

Foster Care | Landing Page | Woman & Child Holding Hands - Permanent or Long-Term Care

Foster care in Sydney is available for children or young people who are unable to live with their birth family and need long-term support until they reach independence.

Elderly couple smiling - Specialist Foster Care

Care for a child or young person who has high and complex needs, such as challenging behaviours, disability, mental health issues or being part of a large sibling group.

Care that's given by relatives, family friends, or someone the child or young person already has a relationship with, offering the option to become a legal guardian.

Foster Care | Landing Page | Woman Holding Little Girl Holding a Teddy Bear - Respite Care

Give Sydney foster carers a much-needed break by offering flexible respite for a day, a couple of weeks, school holidays or one weekend a month.

Can I become a foster carer in Sydney?

Our foster care providers in Sydney, Australia come from all walks of life. They can: 

Be single or have a partner
Be from any culture or religion
Have their own children
Own or rent their home
Be working or not, studying or retired.

Our foster carers need to be: 

Healthy
Over 21
Willing to participate in training and the assessment process
An Australian citizen or a permanent resident
Willing to undergo background checks.

Foster Care | Landing Page | Woman Reading Something To Child - Can I be A Foster Carer

Steps to becoming a foster carer

Have a chat

Call 1300 325 627 or attend an online information session to learn about fostering.

Home visit

We’ll discuss if your family and home are a good fit and how to apply.

Complete Training

Learn strategies to support a child or young person who’s faced trauma.

Assessment interview

We’ll have deeper discussions to determine if your family is suited to fostering.

Become a carer

If your application is successful, you’ll be matched with a child or young person.

Real reviews by our foster carers

“I don’t think I would be where I am and who I am right now if I hadn’t had those people showing me that I was worth the effort, worth the phone calls and worth chasing me. They made sure I was getting to school, I was getting to work and they assisted me with all those wonderful things,” Brodie shares, reflecting on his experience in foster care and his journey toward becoming a Case Manager with Wesley Dalmar.

Brodie

Former foster child
"He gives big cuddles and says, 'I love you, Mummy and Daddy'," Christina shares about their foster son, Lachlan. Lachlan, who’s been in foster care since he was born, entered Christina and Jason’s care on a long-term placement at just two years old. And their bond was immediate. “We were instantly just Mum and Dad,” Christina says. And that bond grows every day.

Christina and Jason

Foster carers
"Katie has changed our lives,” Caitlin shares about the support she received from a Wesley Dalmar team member. “This has been the toughest experience of our lives and the most rewarding. And every step of the way, you were with us. And that means the world to us.”

Caitlin and Nolan

Foster carers
“Together we’ve travelled to many places and pursued successful careers, but we both agree that being foster parents is the best thing we’ve ever done,” Jules shares about their experience fostering multiple children through Welsey Mission's KickStart program - supporting young people to transition from foster care to independence at their own pace. “It’s so rewarding. That’s why I would encourage more people to do it.”

Jules and Dave

Foster carers

FAQs

What area does Wesley Mission’s foster care program cover in Sydney?

Wesley Mission’s foster care program covers all areas of Greater Sydney, along with many regional and coastal areas of NSW. You can view all of our foster care office locations here.

How do I become a foster carer with Wesley Mission in Sydney?

If you’re interested in becoming a foster carer in Sydney, you can begin by calling 1300 325 627 or booking an online information session. From there, we’ll arrange a home visit to talk through whether foster care is the right fit for you and guide you through the application process. If successful, you’ll complete training and a detailed assessment before being matched with a child or young person in need of care.

How long does it take to become a foster carer?

The process to become an authorised foster carer in Sydney, NSW, may take up to 12 months. Once approved, the time it takes to be matched with a child or young person can range from just a few days to several months, depending on the kind of care you offer.

What support does Wesley Mission provide to foster carers?

Wesley Mission is committed to supporting its foster carers in Sydney with the guidance and resources needed to handle any challenges. This includes regular case manager visits, ongoing training, access to medical specialists, educational support, financial assistance, and a 24/7 call line.

Am I eligible to become a foster carer in Sydney?

You may be eligible to become a foster carer in Sydney if you’re over 21, an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and willing to complete training, assessments and background checks. Foster carers come from all walks of life and may be single, partnered, with or without children, working, retired, renting or home owners.

Why is foster care needed in Sydney?

Foster care supports children and young people up to 18 who cannot live safely with their birth families due to risks of harm or neglect. Foster care may also be voluntarily sought. Care can be needed due to a parent’s poor health or disability, or when they face insecure housing or unemployment. Where possible, children and young people return home once it’s safe to do so. Others may need a permanent home with their Sydney foster carers.

Where to next?

If you’re ready to take the next step, choose an option below to get started on your foster care journey.

Speak with one of our friendly and helpful foster care specialists today.

Call us Email us

Subscribe today to receive our foster care information pack and newsletter.

Adopt a child with Wesley Dalmar

We believe all children deserve a loving and safe place to call home. Wesley Dalmar operates in NSW to give children most in need a permanent new home with caring parents who will love and support them for the rest of their lives.

Learn more

Get support

Get involved

About us

For businesses

Join us