Foster carers make an extraordinary difference in the lives of children and young people, opening their homes, hearts, and lives to provide safety, stability, connection, and care.
This year’s theme, Open Doors. Open Hearts. Open Opportunities, was a reminder of the difference foster carers make by opening their homes, their lives and their opportunities to children and young people.
Congratulations to our 2026 Foster Carer Award winners
Samantha Canobio – Key Assets
Laura Gee – Anglicare Victoria
Thank you to every foster carer who continues to open their door, open their heart and create opportunities for children and young people.
We are thrilled to celebrate the incredible foster carers who were nominated for the 2026 Foster Carer Awards. Every nomination tells a story of compassion, commitment, and the positive impact a foster carer has made, and we are so grateful to everyone who took the time to recognise a remarkable carer.
After an incredible difficult judging process, we are excited to announce our shortlist of finalists:
Natasha and Kristian Austin
Lee-Anne Betteridge & Greg Smith
Samantha Canobio
Laura Gee
Emily and Peter Hough
Julie Wilding
Congratulations to all our finalists!
And to every foster carer who was nominated, whether you made the shortlist or not, your nomination is a wonderful recognition of the difference you make. You should all be incredibly proud of the role you play in the lives of children and young people.
