Foster care reforms in focus: a reinstated push for change
A national call for urgent reforms to better support children, young people and the carers who stand beside them.
At Key Assets Australia, we’re committed to building a future where children, young people and foster carers feel valued, well supported and equipped to create lasting change and unlock potential.
Right now, the National Foster Care Sustainability Group is driving a renewed focus on three urgent reforms, practical changes that can make a real difference to the foster care journey. These asks aim to create a system that is more sustainable, fair and equipped to meet the needs of children, young people and foster carers at its heart.
The three “asks”
1. Prioritise access to medical and therapeutic support
Better access and financial support to meet the needs of children in out-of-home care, similar in function to a Veteran Gold Card.
2. Reduced financial pressures on foster carers
Clearer ATO guidance on carer allowances, to give jurisdictions and providers confidence to increase payments without creating unintended tax burdens for carers.
3. Equitable workplace entitlements for carers across all jurisdictions
Adjust the National Employment Standards so that foster carers in paid work can begin or continue fostering without disadvantage.
Dr Dianne Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of Key Assets Australia, reflected on why these reforms matter.
“Carers are providing a home and everything that comes with it. They should not be placed under financial strain or forced to choose between employment and providing care. At its heart, this is about giving children and young people the same opportunities as any other.”
She also highlighted the importance of timely support for children.
“We continue to hear how important access to both medical and therapeutic services is for children and young people in out-of-home care. When these supports are available, children are more likely to feel safe, manage the effects of trauma, build trusting relationships, and engage fully in school and daily life. Carers and professionals work hard every day to provide these opportunities, but system improvements are still needed to ensure no child misses out.”
Advocacy in action
On Tuesday 28 October, Key Assets Australia (KAA) attended the relaunch of the Parliamentary Friends of Foster Carers and Children in Foster Care at Parliament House in Canberra, alongside Families Australia and the National Foster Care Sustainability Group. Six KAA foster carers, three young people with lived care experience, and our Chief Executive Officer, Dr Dianne Jackson, travelled from across the country to take part. They joined carers and young people from other agencies, Members of Parliament, Senators, advocates and sector leaders in a gathering that placed lived care experience at the centre of national conversation.
The event was held in the Speaker’s Courtyard and welcomed by the Hon Milton Dick MP. Co-convenors Sarah Witty MP, Senator Maria Kovacic and Kate Chaney MP spoke about the importance of ensuring the voices of children and the people who care for them continue to shape decisions about foster and kinship care. Their remarks reflected a shared understanding that meaningful reform must begin with the realities and experiences of families.
For the carers and young people who travelled to Canberra, attending the event was a meaningful experience. The discussions provided space to share their experiences and see their voices represented among policymakers, highlighting both the rewards of caring and the challenges that can arise when systems are difficult to navigate. Feedback highlighted the growing challenges carers and families face in navigating systems and accessing the support needed to provide children and young people with the stability and opportunities they deserve and need.
The relaunch offered a glimpse into the tireless advocacy and support that KAA teams, carers, and families provide throughout the year. Following the relaunch event, one KAA carer reflected on the broader challenges of caring, noting that many young people enter care without understanding why. It often takes time for them to piece together their history, making early access to medical, therapeutic, and psychological support essential for safety and trust. For carers and their networks, the role can feel profoundly selfless balancing the demands of life, work and family while facing limited recognition, both in employment entitlements and financial support. These three key asks have been widely acknowledged as not only appropriate but urgently needed.
Without these changes, fewer families or individuals may be able to provide care, leading to more children entering residential settings, where outcomes are commonly less positive. While this relaunch was an important step, it is part of a longer journey. Continued advocacy, collaboration and listening to lived care experience will be essential to create lasting change in foster care.
For KAA, attending the relaunch was part of contributing to a collective effort across the sector to strengthen stability for children and young people.
To learn more about the national campaign and how you can support these reforms, visit futureoffostercare.org.au