Wednesday, 18 June 2025

 Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (18:27): (1731) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Children. I rise again to raise the urgent need for greater support for Victoria’s foster carers, particularly those in regional communities. Across the state the foster care system is under growing pressure. In Victoria over 550 foster carers left the system in 2022–23 and less than 250 commenced. For several years Victoria has had the highest carer attrition rate of any state in Australia. The loss of good carers impacts the quality of care provided to children.

Recent data reveals a sharp rise in the number of children under 12 entering residential care, driven by a high number of foster families exiting the system and a lack of respite care, which leads to carer burnout. This is deeply concerning, not only for carers but for the vulnerable children who miss out on the opportunity to be raised in a supportive family environment. The alternative, residential care, is not only less personal and nurturing but also incredibly expensive, costing the government up to $600,000 per child. In contrast, one foster care placement level 1 care allowance is between $11,600 and $17,000 per year. Despite these figures, Victoria continues to invest poorly in foster care. Of the $1.67 billion allocated to child protection, only 7.5 per cent supports foster care – the very people providing care in their homes. The care allowance in Victoria has not increased since 2016 and remains the lowest in the country. Carers are expected to cover the growing costs of care out of their own pockets, and many, like Carol, a long-term carer who lives in central Victoria, tell me that they are struggling under the weight of their expenses. Carers are leaving and children are suffering.

The action I seek is for the minister to make changes, including increasing the foster care allowance, introducing a remote allowance for regional carers to address the unique transport and services challenges they face, improving funding for essential services not covered by the carer allowance and encouraging greater inclusion and respect for carers in care planning. Foster carers are doing extraordinary work for our most vulnerable children. It is time they received the recognition, respect and support they deserve.