Foster Care Week 2026 – Sunday 13 to Saturday 19 September – acknowledges and celebrates the efforts of foster carers and the positive impact they have on the lives of children and young people across Victoria.
Foster care is an essential part of Victoria’s care system. It provides a safe and nurturing home for children and young people when they are not able to live with their birth family.
The Foster Care Association of Victoria (FCAV) theme for Foster Care Week 2026 is ‘Open Doors. Open Hearts. Open Opportunities’.
The theme recognises foster carers who generously open their homes and hearts to help children and young people feel safe and connected, while creating opportunities for the future.
The Victorian Government acknowledges all foster carers. Thank you for your commitment to ensuring children and young people across the state are safe, supported and ready to thrive.
We also recognise Foster Care Association of Victoria (FCAV), the peak body that represents foster carers. FCAV provides support and information to assist foster carers in their caring role.
Supports for foster carers
As part of the Victorian Government’s support for foster carers, a range of resources and services are available to support foster carers in their important role.
The Care Support Help Desk phone line has supported carers through over 22,420 calls. It has helped over 9,125 children and young people in care to access important documents. These include Medicare cards and birth certificates.
Foster carers can also access the Carer KaFÉ. This resource provides a range of online and in-person learning and development opportunities to carers.
The care allowance is a fortnightly payment to help carers meet the day-to-day costs of supporting a child in their care. Allowance rates are based on the age and needs of the child. For more information, visit the Support for home based carers in Victoria web page.
The Victorian Carer Card provides foster carers with discounts and benefits from businesses, local government and community organisations. It also provides travel discounts, including free weekend travel for carers. More information is on the Victorian Carer Card website.
To learn more about other available resources and supports for foster carers, visit the Foster care web page.
Become a foster carer
Being a foster carer can be a positive, life-changing experience for you, the child or young person in your care and the community.
You can become a foster carer and make a lasting difference in someone’s life. For more information, visit the Fostering Connections website.