WA launches Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card to ease cost-of-living pressures

The Western Australia Government has introduced a new $14.5 million Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card as part of a broader $46.3 million State Budget package aimed at strengthening support for households caring for Western Australia's most vulnerable children.

The initiative is designed to deliver practical cost-of-living relief and recognition for foster carers, family carers and grandcarers, who provide stable homes and daily care for children in need.

Financial support and new benefits

Gold Card holders will receive direct cost-of-living assistance, including energy bill relief of up to $377 this year, alongside a range of additional discounts and support measures expected to roll out over time.

Grandcarers will also receive a dedicated Cost of Living Payment on top of the existing Grandcarers Support Scheme, providing $500 for the first grandchild and $250 for each additional grandchild in their care.

The broader $46.3 million package includes:

• $23.7 million to increase foster and family carer subsidies by 10%
• $6.9 million to expand support services for family carers across the State

Under the uplift, a metropolitan foster household caring for a child aged 7-12 could receive close to $1,500 in additional annual support.

Supporting carers and expanding the workforce

To help carers navigate available assistance, the Government has also introduced Who Pays in WA?, a digital guide outlining financial supports accessible to foster and family carers.

Recruitment efforts are also continuing to grow the carer workforce. Since 2023, the State-wide campaign Become a foster carer - Make a difference to a child's life has helped attract 125 new carers, increasing enquiries from around 90 per year before the campaign to more than 700 in the past year.

The program has been promoted through social media, radio, digital billboards and podcasts.

Additional support measures

The Budget package builds on earlier initiatives such as Adventure Passes, which provide savings of more than $300 for foster families visiting attractions including Perth Zoo, State museums, national parks and Rottnest Island.

Registrations for the Gold Card will open on 1 July via the ServiceWA app.

Ministerial comments

Treasurer Rita Saffioti said the package recognises the vital role carers play in supporting vulnerable children and ensures they receive practical assistance, including energy bill relief, subsidies and a new payment for grandcarers.

Child Protection Minister Jessica Stojkovski said the measures provide meaningful financial support and reflect the importance of carers in building safe and inclusive communities, drawing on her own experience growing up in a foster family.

Community Services Minister Matthew Swinbourn highlighted the significant contribution of more than 1,800 grandcarers in WA, noting the Gold Card will provide direct financial and in-kind support to help ease household pressures.