Take our quiz

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1. Where do you live?

That's great! Barnardos Australia operates foster care and adoption services in NSW and the ACT.

Unfortunately you must reside in NSW or ACT to apply for Barnardos foster care and adoption programs. You may wish to contact the relevant Child Protection government department in your state or territory to find out more.

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2. How old are you?

Ok fantastic! If you are over 21, you could be suitable for some types of foster care. If you are under 21, have you considered volunteering for us?

That's great! You are suitable for all types of foster care.

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3. Single, in a relationship or married?

No problems! Barnardos Australia have been successfully placing children with single foster carers, whatever their sexual orientation, for many years.

Great! Couples in a stable, committed long-term relationship whether they are married or unmarried and whatever their sexual orientation can be potential foster carers. You may also be suitable for different types of fostering dependent upon the length or duration of your relationship.

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4. Home is where the heart is. How about you?

Perfect! If you have space and security to care for children as they grow up, you will be considered.

No problems! Owning your home is not a prerequisite to becoming a foster carer. The important thing is that your living arrangements are secure and your home is safe and welcoming to children. If you are renting you will still be considered.

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5. Are you working?

Great! You will suit any type of foster care.

No problems! You may suit some types of foster care which we can discuss with you further. With the majority of our placements there is a period at the beginning when you need to be available at home full time but the length of time varies depending on the type of foster care.

You will suit some types of foster care which we can discuss with you further. With the majority of our placements there is a period at the beginning when you need to be available at home full time but the length of time varies depending on the type of foster care. A lot of full- time employees actually make great respite carers!

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6. Are you an Australian citizen?

Yes
No

Great, you are able to apply for all types of foster care.

You must have Australian permanent residency to be considered for foster care with Barnardos.

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7. Any serious criminal convictions?

Ok great! You can apply for any type of foster care.

Ok, no problems. If you have a criminal record for any offences you should declare these at an early stage. Not all criminal convictions will discount you from fostering. Barnardos Australia will discuss with you any convictions that are recorded against you.

Ok. Don't count yourself out just yet. Not all criminal convictions will discount you from fostering. Barnardos Australia will give consideration to the type of offence, when it was committed, the extent to which it has a bearing on being a parent and whether it was revealed at the time of application and how you have reflected on your past actions.You cannot apply to become a foster parent if you or anyone living in your household has a criminal conviction relating to children or has been cautioned for specified criminal offences against children and/or some sexual offences against adults. Barnardos Australia will discuss with you any convictions that are recorded against you.

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8. Would you say you are in good health?

Great! During the assessment stage of the foster process, Barnardos Australia will request information from your GP and/or other specialists which will assess your general health. If you have any anxiety about health issues you can discuss your concerns with us.

No worries. During the assessment stage of the foster process, Barnardos Australia will request information from your GP and/or other specialists to assess your general health. If you have any anxiety about health issues you can discuss your concerns with us.

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9. Do you have children living at home with you, or are you trying for children?

Great! You will suit all types of foster care.

Great! Your parenting skills are exactly what we need. Experience shows that giving each child space is helpful and therefore a wider age gap between children may be better. Barnardos Australia generally will want the fostered child to be the youngest in the family by at least two years as this has been shown in research to be beneficial but please contact us to discuss further.

No worries! Your love of children is an important quality we look for in our carers. If you have been having infertility treatment then Barnardos Australia will normally expect this to have ended before applying to foster but this should not stop you exploring fostering so you are aware of your options.

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10. Are you or anyone living in your household a smoker?

Fantastic! Non-smokers suit all types of foster care.

Ok great! Keep up the good work. Being a non-smoker is a requirement for becoming a Barnardos foster carer due to the medically recognised associated health risks to children

We have a non-smoking policy due to the medically recognised associated health risks to children. If you want to foster a child with Barnardos you will be required to give up smoking at least 6 months before the home assessment phase of the process starts.

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11. Have you ever suffered from a mental health condition?

No
Yes

Ok, that's great.

No problems, we will discuss this with you in your application. If you have experienced or are currently experiencing a mental health problem you would not automatically be ruled out as a foster carer.

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12. Are there any pets in your home?

Yes
No

No problems, pets can give children companionship and pleasure. Barnardos Australia need to be sure that any pets that you own do not pose a threat to children's health or safety, so a report from a vet may be requested.

Great!

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13. Are you considering fostering a child from a cultural background different to your own?

Yes
No

Fantastic! There are children from many different backgrounds needing to be fostered. You can be matched with a child with whom you do not share the same ethnicity, provided you can meet the most important of the child’s identified needs. All families should be able to get support to help their foster child to understand and appreciate the important cultural, religious or linguistic values of their birth community.

No problems at all! There are children from many different backgrounds needing to be fostered. You can be matched with a child with whom you share the same ethnicity, provided you can meet the most important of the child’s identified needs. All families should be able to get support to help their foster child to understand and appreciate the important cultural, religious or linguistic values of their birth community.

Thank you!

We really appreciate you taking the time to complete our foster care quiz.

We hope you have learnt more about what it takes to become a foster carer and are excited about taking that next step to contact us.

Talk to the carer enquiry team.

Call us on 1800 663 441 to discuss the next steps towards becoming a foster carer.

I’m not sure yet…I’d like more information.

Click here to learn more about the various types of foster care that may suit you or your family’s circumstances, email us for a PDF download pack or attend one of our information nights.

I’m ready to apply.

Start your journey now by filling out our online enquiry form.