Australia wide

The Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) is the national body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children’s services. It also provides training and resources for kinship carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Phone SNAICC on (03) 9419 1921.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet provides an interactive map of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Medical Services, which operate in all Australian states and territories.

Australian Capital Territory

The ACT Government’s Aboriginal Cultural Services Team can help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander foster carers and kinship carers find resources and support. Phone (02) 6207 2228 (and ask for the Aboriginal Cultural Services Team).

Family Group Conferencing is for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in contact with Child and Youth Protection Services and Youth Justice in the Australian Capital Territory. Family Group Conferencing brings families together in a culturally safe way to talk about how best to take care of kids.

New South Wales

• AbSec provides training, support groups and information to Aboriginal people affected by the child protection system. Phone (02) 9559 5299.
• My Forever Family NSW provides training, information, support and advice to potential carers and guardians.
• The Aboriginal State-wide Foster Carer Support Service (ASFCSS) is a free telephone advice and advocacy service for the carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Phone 1800 888 698 (free call).
• The NSW Government provides information, resources and support to foster, relative and kinship carers.

Northern Territory

Territory Families, Housing and Communities is an agency of the NT Government. Its Guide for kinship and foster carers has information about being a carer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the Northern Territory.

Queensland

• The Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs has a list of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander foster and kinship care agency contacts. Phone Child Safety Services on 1800 811 810.
• Queensland Foster and Kinship Care provides training and information to foster carers and kinship carers. The website has contact details for Foster care Advocacy and Support Team (FAST) members around the state who can provide support to carers.
• The Queensland Government provides information and resources on foster and kinship care.

South Australia

• Aboriginal Family Support Services provides training for foster carers and kinship carers, support groups and cultural camps for children. Phone (08) 8205 1500.
• Connecting Foster & Kinship Carers SA provides information and support to foster carers and kinship carers. The organisation provides a peer support network and connects carers with each other through regular events.
• The South Australian Government provides information and resources on foster care, including kinship care.

Tasmania

• The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre runs playgroups and provides parenting advice and other family support to foster carers and kinship carers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children throughout Tasmania. It offers long day care and after-school care for children up to 12 years at the Aboriginal Children’s Centre in Hobart. Phone 1800 132 260.
• The Foster and Kinship Carers Association Tasmania provides information for foster carers and kinship carers. You can receive support from trained foster and kinship carers through its Foster care Advocacy and Support Team (FAST) support line. Phone 1800 149 994.
• The Tasmanian Government provides information on becoming a foster carer.

Victoria

• The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) provides training for foster and kinship carers, support groups, and cultural and parenting information. Phone (03) 8388 1855.
• Foster Care Association of Victoria provides information, training and support to foster carers.
• The Victorian Government provides information and resources on foster care.

Western Australia

• Yorganop provides services including training for foster and kinship carers. Phone (08) 9321 9090.
• Foster Care Association of WA provides support, information and social activities to foster carers.
• The Western Australian Government provides information and resources on foster care.