MEDIA RELEASE
16 May 2025
Leading child welfare organisation OzChild is calling for more support for Queensland foster carers during National Families Week to ensure no carer — or child — is left behind.
Foster carers play a crucial role providing family-based support for children and young people who cannot live with their biological families. This year’s Families Week theme, Lending a Hand to Thrive: Supporting Each Other, is a timely call to action as many families, including foster families, are struggling to make ends meet with the rising costs of living. While carer allowances are reviewed annually, ongoing community and collective support of carers is needed to ensure they can continue their critical roles and feel valued and supported.
While other Australian states are facing a decline in foster carers available, the number of carers in Queensland has remained stable – but the demand for out-of-home care is growing and putting additional strain on the already overburdened child protection system. Over the past five years, the number of children and young people living in residential care in Queensland has doubled — the highest increase of any jurisdiction in Australia – resulting in poorer outcomes for young people.
The National Foster Care Sustainability Group, led by Families Australia, in conjunction with PeakCare Queensland, are advocating for more supports for carers – including tax allowances, leave entitlements and better access to healthcare – to reflect the actual costs of caring and make fostering a viable option for current and potential carers.
In the interim, philanthropically funded programs like OzChild’s Thriving Families program are bridging financial gaps for foster families.
The program, which has been running in Victoria since 2020, offers support for kinship and foster care households under four key domains – practical, emotional, training and community supports – with grants tailored to the needs of each household. A total of 144 Thriving Families grants have been provided to families so far this financial year in Victoria alone, at an average value of $1,030 – and demand continues to grow.
Dale Rogers, OzChild’s Director of Services in Queensland, has seen the impact of the program in Victoria and is keen to see the program to expand nationally. Speaking of his experience in Victoria, Dale says it has been life-changing for carers, who can apply for a wide range of services including practical support, such as minor home repairs or white goods, and emotional support, such as counselling services.
Dale describes Thriving Families as a ‘lifeline’.
“It could be something as simple as a carer whose car has broken down and they’ve got to get kids to school. For us to say, ‘We’ll make an application for Thriving Families to have your car repaired’ – I just can’t really put into words the gratitude that I’ve heard coming back from carers.” – DALE ROGERS
While the overwhelming majority of requests are for practical and emotional support, Thriving Families also offers carer training, including assistance with trauma management and handling challenging behaviours, and funds opportunities for carers to connect and support one another.
“Thriving Families is a critical program – it can be the difference between carers taking another placement or stepping away from foster care.” said Dale.
OzChild is seeking philanthropic support in Queensland to launch the Thriving Families Program for foster and kinship families in the state. To become a Thriving Families partner, email hello@staging.ozchild.org.au for more information.
Families Australia has announced the appointment of Dr Lisa J. Griffiths as its new Chair of the Board, following the transition of outgoing Chair Deb Tsorbaris to the role of Australia’s National Children’s Commissioner.
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