There’s no single “ideal” type of foster carer. These criteria help outline what Anglicare/St Saviours looks for to ensure children and young people are placed in safe, stable and supportive homes.
Criteria For Being a Carer
Age
We do not have rigid requirements regarding the upper age limit for carers. Our focus is on the health and wellbeing of the carer in relation to the type of care they may provide and the age of the child or young person they may care for.
The minimum age for a carer is 21. In some circumstances, exceptions may be made based on the individual’s life experience or particular family situation.
Religious Beliefs and Supporting Culture
Anglicare/St Saviours encourages carers from diverse backgrounds and beliefs. We aim to “match” carers and children based on particular needs, skills and characteristics.
Anglicare/St Saviours does not require Authorised Carers to hold or practise particular religious beliefs. However, carers must be able to encourage and support the beliefs and practices of the children and young people in their care.
Anglicare/St Saviours is committed to ensuring that children and young people from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander backgrounds are cared for by people within their family or who share their cultural background.
Children in the Home
Where there are existing children living in the home, it is recommended that there is a two‑year age gap between the youngest child in the home and the eldest child the carers are approved to care for. For this reason, carers will generally not be authorised if they have a child under two years old.
Relationship Status
We actively welcome single people as well as couples—including those who are married, in de facto relationships, or in same‑sex relationships—to become carers.
Residence/Citizenship
If you would like to provide long‑term or permanent care, at least one authorised carer must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident. This helps ensure stability for the child or young person.
If you are on a temporary visa or are not a permanent resident, emergency, interim or respite care may be suitable options.
Space in Your Home
Carers should have adequate, safe and stable accommodation for a child. Anglicare/St Saviours believes that a separate bedroom is appropriate for a child in care. We understand that not all families can provide separate bedrooms; in some cases, it may be appropriate for siblings to share a bedroom.
Work Arrangements and Financial Support
Carers may be employed full‑time, part‑time, casually, unemployed, stay‑at‑home parents, or retired. The type of care a carer can provide (e.g. respite, temporary or long‑term) depends on the amount of time they are able to give to the child or children in their care. For example, it may be possible to work full‑ or part‑time when caring for a school‑aged child, but this may not be suitable for very young children or children with more complex needs.
A carer allowance is paid to Authorised Carers to help support the child or young person. This allowance helps meet day‑to‑day expenses and is not considered taxable income.
Probity Checks
All carers are required to undergo a range of probity checks mandated by legislation. These include a NSW Working With Children Check, a National Criminal Record Check, and a NSW Community Services Check, which reviews the carer’s history with the NSW Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ, previously known as FACS or DoCS). If you have been a carer or applicant with another agency, Anglicare is also required to undertake checks with those agencies.
You do not need to complete these checks now. The team will guide you through them if you choose to progress to the next step.
