Minister for Families, Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Child Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence

The Honourable Amanda Camm

20 August 2026

MEDIA STATEMENT: New reforms backing Queensland foster carers

  • The Crisafulli Government is reforming foster care, to deliver on key recommendations from the Child Safety Commission of Inquiry.
  • A new Foster Care Advisory Group will be delivered to ensure carers are genuine partners in shaping family-based care reforms in Queensland.
  • The Professional Foster Care pilot program will be expanded into Mackay to provide more family-based care options for children with complex needs.
  • The Crisafulli Government is restoring respect to Queensland foster carers and prioritising family-based care after a decade of decline under Labor.

The Crisafulli Government is strengthening its commitment to family-based care through a suite of reforms to support existing foster and kinship carers, attract new carers and improve outcomes for high needs children in care.

Under the reforms, a new Foster Care Advisory Group will be established to ensure carers and permanent guardians have a stronger voice in shaping Queensland’s child safety system, as the first step to delivering on recommendation 24 from the Commission of Inquiry.

The Crisafulli Government will also fast-track the expansion of the Professional Foster Care pilot program with an expansion into Mackay, to help deliver more pathways to stable care for children with complex needs, in line with the Government’s response to the Commission of Inquiry.

A recruitment push will support the reforms, encouraging more Queenslanders to offer a loving home for vulnerable kids, delivering more stable care options of children.

The damming Commission of Inquiry into Labor’s broken Child Safety System found 80 per cent of foster carers would not recommend the role to a friend, but the Crisafulli Government is taking immediate steps to restore respect to carers and reform the care system.

This work builds on the Crisafulli Government’s You could be a foster carer campaign, that addressed common questions about becoming a carer and highlighted the training, practical assistance and flexible care options available.

Minister for Child Safety Amanda Camm said the reforms reflected her commitment to restore respect to foster carers and prioritise family-based care, delivering on the Commission of Inquiry recommendations.

“The Commission of Inquiry was a line in the sand, this is one of the ways we are implementing reform to make children safer and fix the broken child safety system we inherited,” Minister Camm said.

“Foster carers provide safe, stable and nurturing homes for some of Queensland’s most vulnerable children and young people, and we are committed to giving them greater recognition and a stronger voice.

“We encourage more Queenslanders to consider becoming foster carers – whether it be short-term, long-term or specialist care, it’s an opportunity to make a life-changing difference.

“These reforms are about backing foster carers and ensuring more children have the opportunity to enter family-based care.”

Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton said foster and kinship carers opened their homes to provide vulnerable children with the safety and stability.

“These new measures are about backing our carers with practical support and making sure we can attract and retain more Queenslanders willing to provide a safe and loving home for a child,” Mr Dalton said.

Queensland Foster and Kinship Care Chief Executive Officer Bryan Smith said foster and kinship carers make an extraordinary commitment to children and young people.

“Carers want to know their contribution is valued and that they have the support they need to provide the best possible care,” Mr Smith said.

“These measures are an important step towards better recognising carers and helping Queensland attract and retain carers.”

Life Without Barriers’ Queensland Executive Director of Child Youth and Family Services Ben Hannifin said every child should have the chance to feel safe, valued and connected to the people, community and culture that matter most to them.

“Dedicated carers play a vital role in making this possible, particularly for children and young people experiencing difficult circumstances,” Mr Hannifin said.

“For decades, Life Without Barriers has worked alongside carers, and we know that investing in and supporting them is vital to helping children thrive.

“We strongly support the Queensland Government’s commitment to providing children with complex needs access to safe, family-based care, backed by skilled carers and the practical support needed to help young people reach their full potential.”

The new initiatives build on broader reforms to attract, support and retain foster carers, including enhanced training, flexible funding and new pathways into fostering.

To learn more about becoming a foster carer, visit www.qld.gov.au/fostercare or call 1300 550 877.

For more information about the Professional Foster Care pilot, visit www.qld.gov.au/professionalfostercare.