The State Government appreciates the incredible work carers do and is committed to providing them with the supports they need to care for vulnerable children.
A second one-off cost of living payment will be provided to foster and family carers caring for children in care, special guardian carers and grandcarers from mid-January 2025 to ease cost of living pressures, including the added pressure of return to school costs.
Eligible primary carers (as at 31 December 2024) will receive a payment of $500 for the first child in their care, and $250 for each additional child in care in their household.
Eligible carers that have previously had children placed with them at any time during the 2024 calendar year (but currently have no children in their care) will also receive a one-off $500 payment.
Approximately 5,600 households who care for more than 8,000 children will receive the cost of living payment, totalling more than $3.6 million.
More information
The below questions and answers provide more information about who is eligible for the cost of living payment and how it will be paid.
Contacts
Show moreTo check your eligibility or for further enquires:
- Carers engaged through a community sector organisation must contact their organisation about the payment.
- Grandcarers engaged through Wanslea Family Services can call 1800 794 909 or email gss@wanslea.org.au.
- All other carers and special guardians can contact the Department of Communities at FCCOLP@communities.wa.gov.au or 1800 182 178.
Who is eligible for the cost of living payment?
Show moreThe following recipients who are primary carers (as at 31 December 2024) will receive a one-off payment of $500 for the first child in their care, and $250 for each additional child in care in their household:
- Department of Communities foster carers and family carers
- Special guardians (having a special guardianship order)
- Community sector organisation foster carers and ACCOs
- Grandcarers (receiving the Grandcarer Support Scheme payment).
The above-listed recipients that have previously had children placed with them at any time during the 2024 calendar year (but currently have no children in their care) will also receive a one-off $500 payment.
Eligibility examples
Show more| Eligible | Not Eligible |
|---|---|
| I raise my niece who entered care with the Department of Communities. | I am a parent caring for my disabled child. |
| I care for my grandchild full time as her parents are not around – I get Grandcarer Support Scheme support payments from Wanslea. | I am a grandparent looking after my grandkids during the day while my daughter works. |
| I am a foster carer with Wanslea with no children currently in care (eligible for 1 $500 payment). | I am an approved foster carer with the Department of Communities but have not looked after a child for over 12 months. |
When and how will the payment be made?
Show moreEligible primary foster carers, family carers and special guardian carers will automatically receive the cost of living payment from the Department of Communities in their bank account from 14 January 2025. This will be deposited to the same account they receive their regular subsidy payments by the Department. If your bank details have changed, please notify the Department as soon as possible at FCCOLP@communities.wa.gov.au or 1800 182 178.
Eligible grandcarers will also automatically receive the cost of living payment from the Department of Communities in their bank account from 14 January 2025. This will be deposited to the same account they receive their regular subsidy payments by the Department. If your address or bank details have changed, please notify Wanslea Family Services as soon as possible at gss@wanslea.org.au or 1800 794 909.
Eligible foster carers that are engaged through community sector organisations and aboriginal community controlled organisations will receive the payment in their bank account from 14 January 2025 from their organisation on behalf of the Department of Communities. The Department will provide a lump sum payment to the relevant organisation who is responsible for providing the payments to their carers. If your bank details have changed, please notify your organisation as soon as possible.
What can I use the money for?
Show moreAlthough it is being paid to carers to assist with cost of living expenses, including return to school costs, the cost of living payment can be used at the carer’s discretion.
Who can I contact if I didn’t receive a payment or wasn’t paid the correct amount?
Show moreIf you are a carer engaged through a community sector organisation, you will need to contact your organisation.
Grandcarers can contact Wanslea Family Services on 1800 794 909 or gss@wanslea.org.au.
All other eligible carers and special guardians should contact the Department of Communities at FCCOLP@communities.wa.gov.au or 1800 182 178.
I am an eligible special guardian carer but not currently receiving payments/subsidies from the Department – how do I provide my payment details?
Show moreEmail FCCOLP@communities.wa.gov.au and a Department of Communities representative will respond. You will need to provide your full name, date of birth, address, bank details and the full name of the child/children you have cared for during 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024. These details can then be verified, and a response provided.
