Blue cards for foster or kinship carers
If you are a foster or kinship carer or an adult household member of an approved carer over the age of 18 you must hold a valid blue card. These cards must be linked to the care service provider through which you are applying. This is so they are notified if there is a change to your blue card status (e.g. if your card expires or is cancelled or suspended.
Regular visitors to the home of an approved carer may also need a blue card. This depends on the type of contact the visitor has with children and how often they visit. Approved carers should talk to their Child Safety Officer (CSO) about any regular visitors to their home to decide if they need a blue card.
Find out more about blue cards and exemption cards for foster or kinship carers.
If you are an existing foster or kinship carer, you can also visit the Connecting with Carers hub to find general support.
If you aren’t currently a foster or kinship carer—and you are interested in applying—learn how to get involved.
Resources
- CSO information sheet
- Foster or kinship care easy-read fact sheet
- Foster and kinship carer video
- Interested in becoming a foster or kinship carer fact sheet for licensed care service providers and foster and kinship care recruiting officers
- Thinking of becoming a foster and kinship carer flowchart
More information
- How to make a submission fact sheet - information to support applicants through the submission process
- Substitute signatories for Blue Card Services forms - individual does not have legal or physical capacity to complete a blue card application or other form.
- Executive officers and board or committee members of a regulated child-related organisation require a blue card.
- Understand linking requirements for organisations.
- Check when you don’t need a blue card
- Who cannot apply for or hold a blue card
- Learn how to apply for a blue or exemption card