Formal Relative, Kinship and Grandparent Carers in Victoria
To report concerns about the immediate safety of a child within your family unit, call the Child Protection Crisis Line - 131 278 (toll free for all Victoria, 24 hrs, 7 days a week). This is an emergency service for weekends and after hours only and will pass on cases to the relevant regions the following working day.
The internet is a useful source of information for out-of-home carers. This page contains links to Commonwealth, state and territory, and non-government information, supports and services that may be useful to you.
Go to National Support and Services to find out what Commonwealth and non-government support you may be eligible for.
Find the answer to Frequently Asked Questions about Australian Government support.
Victorian Government reimbursements, information and services for formal relative, kinship or grandparent carers
- Victorian Government Out-of-Home Care – Services and information for kinship and foster carers living in Victoria.
- Victorian Government Carer Card – The Carer Card Program gives recognition, understanding and support to Victorian carers. The program has a wide range of discounts and benefits on offer from businesses, the local government and community organisations.
- Victorian Foster Care Service Providers – At the bottom of this page are contacts for all foster care service providers in Victoria.
- Child Safety Commissioner – The child safety commissioner promotes children’s rights in Victoria and publishes information booklets for carers providing advice on parenting, financial support and legal issues:
Legal Information and assistance
Information to help you raise the children and young people in your care
- Parentline Vic – Call 13 22 89 8am to midnight, 7 days a week for a telephone counselling service for parents and carers of children aged from birth to eighteen years.
- Raising a Grandchild – Information for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren in Australia.
- Parenting for Grandparent Carers (PDF) – This booklet can help you to deal with your grandchild’s needs, your grandchild’s birth family, and taking care of yourself.
- Supporting children to achieve at school (PDF) – Information to help you give the children in your care the best education.
- When the Children Arrive (PDF) – A resource book to assist kinship carers identify and address some of the issues and concerns that may arise in this situation.
Information for children and young people in care
- CREATE – Find out about services and support for children in care, including about how to get an Entering Care Kit.
Carer supports
Promoting the rights of children who aren’t living with their parents
Information for Aboriginal carers and carers of Aboriginal children and young people
As a kinship carer of an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Child the following Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations can provide you with information and advice, support groups, access to a range of services and information on health, healing, well-being, training and cultural resources.