RACGP calls for medicine costs to be covered for Victorian foster carers
16 Sep 2026
The groups say carers can face extra costs when paying for essential medicines.The request is part of the groups’ calls ahead of the November Victorian State Election. They want reimbursement to cover medicines prescribed by a GP or paediatrician, including Schedule 4 and Schedule 8 medicines.
The RACGP says children in out-of-home care often have higher physical and mental health needs and may require ongoing treatment for chronic conditions, infections and other health problems.
Some foster and kinship carers currently pay for medicines out of their own pockets. The RACGP says this can add to the financial pressure of caring for children who cannot live with their birth families.
The college has also highlighted Victoria’s carer allowance. Its 2026–27 pre-budget submission says Victoria has the lowest Care Allowance among Australian states and territories. It says a Victorian carer receives $218 a week for a child up to seven years old, compared with $318 a week in NSW for a child of the same age.
The RACGP says Victoria has also experienced a high rate of foster carer exits, with more carers leaving the child protection system than being recruited.
RACGP Victoria Co-Deputy Chair Dr Aadhil Aziz said children should be able to access needed medicines regardless of whether they live with their birth parents, a foster carer or a kinship carer.
He said carers should not have to choose between paying for medicines and meeting other costs involved in caring for a child.
Kinship Carers Victoria Director Anne McLeish said stronger financial support was important for families caring for children with complex physical and mental health needs.
Foster Care Association of Victoria Chief Executive Samantha Hauge said covering prescription medicine costs would be a practical step towards reducing the financial pressure on carers.
The RACGP’s proposal is included among its Victorian election advocacy priorities. Its 2026–27 pre-budget submission proposes a dedicated reimbursement program for foster and kinship carers’ out-of-pocket medicine costs.
RACGP calls for medicine costs to be covered for Victorian foster carers
Source: RACGP Victoria