Our Asks
All Australian children in foster care deserve a fair go, and so do the foster carers who support them. Our campaign calls on the Government to improve access to healthcare, ease the financial burden on foster carers, and provide fairer workplace entitlements, so that every child in foster care can access the support they deserve.
The National Foster Care Sustainability Group is calling on the Government to provide
1. Prioritise access to medical and therapeutic support
Better access and financial supports to meet the needs of all children in out-of-home care, equivalent to a Veteran Gold Card.
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The current system leaves too many children without the medical, therapeutic, and developmental support they need to overcome the trauma, abuse, and neglect often experienced.
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Foster carers are often expected to fill the gaps in the healthcare system without adequate resources, leading to multiple placements and a cycle of unmet needs for children.
2. Reduce financial pressure
Clearer ATO guidance on carer allowances, to give jurisdictions and providers confidence to increase payments without creating unintended tax burdens for carers.
Our Asks
3. Equitable leave entitlements
Change the National Employment Standards to help foster carers in paid employment to start or continue fostering.
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Foster carers fulfil a parenting-type role but are not currently afforded the same rights as parents. Extending these benefits to foster carers ensures an equitable home experience for children and young people in foster care.
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Insufficient carer allowances impact on the ability of carers to provide for children. Many carers draw on their own financial resources to enable the children in their care to have childhood experiences aligned to their peers, independently paying for a range of expenses. There is a current lack of clarity across the sector in the interpretation of tax-free caring allowances, which restricts the ability of jurisdictions and agencies to provide increased allowances to carers that are reflective of the financial supports they require to deliver care.
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This financial strain also exacerbates the gender inequality gap. Data indicates most carers are female, more of them are now working and they are almost always reducing their working hours or moving to lower-paying but more flexible jobs so they can provide the level of care needed.
