Assistance for foster families
What assistance is available?
Foster parents perform a vital role in nurturing and caring for children within our community. In recognising its commitment to assisting approved foster families, the Department of Housing will give the highest priority to assisting families with foster children. Your foster care role may make you eligible for assistance, including:
- access to housing that meets specific needs assistance;
- entitlement to additional bedrooms;
- access to a more suitable dwelling; or
- home modifications for household members with special needs or a disability.
In addition to the above assistance, please also note that any Foster Care Allowance you may receive is not included as assessable income when calculating your rent. Contact Department of Housing staff for more information.
What is Housing Assistance - Specific Needs?
Housing assistance is usually provided to applicants on a wait-turn basis. In certain cases, an applicant may be housed ahead of turn. This is known as housing that meets specific needs. Approved foster care families are considered to be special cases which require housing that meets specific needs and will be placed ahead of other applications on the register of need.
How do I apply for Housing Assistance - Specific Needs due to my foster care role?
To apply for housing that meets specific needs, you must first be eligible for housing assistance. See Eligibility for housing assistance for more information. If you have already applied for housing assistance, you will only need to complete the 
Application for Housing Assistance - Specific Needs (99Kb). You will also need to provide evidence of your foster care role (see below), as well as evidence of your income and proof of identification.
Can I request Housing Assistance - Specific Needs in a specific area?
You will be offered appropriate housing assistance in any suitable suburb – unless you can demonstrate specific needs to be housed in a particular area. If you are not able to provide evidence of a specific locational need and you decide to reject the appropriate housing that is offered to you, your Application for Housing Assistance - Specific Needs (99Kb). may be cancelled. You may be unable to re-apply for housing that meets specific needs unless your circumstances change. However, your application will still remain on the register of need.
Can I apply for a property with an extra bedroom/s?
As foster parents you may be eligible to apply for a property with an extra bedroom/s (in addition to your basic bedroom entitlements). You should advise Department of Housing staff that you wish to be considered for a property with an extra bedroom/s.
Can I apply for a priority transfer?
A priority transfer is an urgent transfer that is placed ahead of other housing applications and transfer requests on the register of need. Approved foster care families are eligible for priority transfers. You can apply for a specific location when lodging your transfer request – see 'Can I request housing that meets specific needs in a specific area?' above as the same provisions apply. Advise Department of Housing staff if you wish to be considered for a priority transfer.
Can I apply for my present housing to be upgraded?
It may be possible to upgrade the facilities within your present housing to reflect specific needs stemming from your foster care role. You should advise Department of Housing staff of any such needs. Staff will assess the request and determine if any upgrades are required to enable you to undertake your foster care role.
What if my foster care role involves a person with special needs or a disability?
Where your foster care role involves a person with special needs or a disability, your property may be able to be modified or more suitable alternative housing may be offered to you. 'Disability' includes physical, intellectual, sensory or psychiatric disabilities. You should advise Department of Housing staff that you wish to be considered for assistance in relation to special needs or disability.
What evidence will I need to provide of my foster care role?
You should provide supporting documentation from the Department of Child Safety stating that you are:
- an approved foster care parent; or
- the relative/s of a child and you have been asked to care for that child on a long-term or regular basis.
The supporting documentation should also state the number of foster children that may be in your care at any one time.
Can decisions be appealed?
You may ask for a decision in relation to the above matters to be reviewed if you think the decision is wrong. A more senior officer than the original decision-maker will manage your appeal within the department. For more information on the appeal process, see the fact sheet on How to appeal (82Kb).
Would you like more information?
Please contact your nearest Department of Housing office.
Last updated 14 December 2005
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