Berry Street

Mission

Founded in 1877, Berry Street exists to help those experiencing poverty, violence, and abuse, and to help families stay together in safe and healthy homes so they can create the future they imagine for themselves. This is what we mean by ‘believing in children, young people, families and their future’.   

Foster carer volunteer opportunities

Our community is in urgent need of loving and supportive foster carers for local children and young people who are unable to live with their families.  

• The number of children in out-of-home care continues to rise year-on-year. There were 12,809 children in out-of-home care in the state as of June 30, 2021, an almost 14 per cent increase from 11,271 in 2018.  
• As of June 2023, the number of foster care enquiries from across the sector reached its lowest point in the last 20 years.  

Who can be a Berry Street foster carer?

There is no 'typical' Berry Street foster carer. Just as every family is different, our foster carers come from diverse backgrounds, cultures and experiences. Our foster carers:

• are a minimum of 21 years of age
• have a spare bedroom to offer a child or young person
• can be single, married or in a de facto relationship
• can be from LGBTIQA+ communities
• can come from any religion, spirituality or nationality
• may or may not have children of their own
• can be in casual, part-time or full-time work – or perhaps not at all
• live in a home they rent or own

Learn more

Learn more at berrystreet.org.au or email humefostercare@berrystreet.org.au or phone (03) 5822 8100. We'd love to chat!