What financial support will I receive?

Fostering in New Zealand is voluntary, and foster parents are therefore not paid a wage or a salary. Instead, they receive a payment to meet the day-to-day needs of the children and young people in their care. The payment is non-taxable and varies according to the child’s age. It is paid fortnightly and covers:
 

• Rent, power etc used by the child
• Food, drink and toiletries
• Clothing (there may also be an additional clothing grant when the placement begins)
• The first $100 of medical expenses
• Pocket money, toys, presents and outings.

Other financial help may also be available on a case by case basis.

Special needs and disability support
Many children with special needs who are placed with foster carers have a High and Complex Needs (HCN) plan. This covers items such as extra help with schooling and health needs.

Further links:

• About fostering
• Can anyone become a foster carer?
• What does being a foster parent involve?
• How do I become a foster carer?
• What kinds of care can I offer to children?
• What about the children?
• Why foster with Barnardos?
  
• What training will I get?
• What financial support will I receive?
• I am very interested, what do I do now?
• A caregiver’s story