WA Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card — $377 energy bill relief
This page is a direct rule-based guide for AU_WA_FOSTER_GRAND_CARER_GOLD_CARD (rule version 2026-27). It explains the new WA Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card — a card that includes $377 of energy bill relief, introduced in the 2026-27 State Budget to recognise foster carers and grandparent carers.
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Quick Answer
You may qualify when you live in Western Australia and are a foster carer or a grandparent carer (grandcarer).
It includes $377 of energy bill relief. In the questionnaire it is reached when state = WA and you are caring_for_foster_child = true or is_grandcarer = true.
Outcome summary: a new Gold Card recognising your caring role, with $377 applied toward your household energy bills.
What Is This Payment?
The Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card is a new card announced in the 2026-27 State Budget ($14.5 million). It recognises the contribution of foster carers and grandparent carers and includes $377 of energy bill relief.
The rule database tags it as a Group A benefit with monetary_primary as its result role, attaching a fixed $377 of energy relief to the card. Eligibility is met by being either a foster carer or a grandcarer in WA — you do not need to be both.
How Much Can You Get?
The amount block is fixed at $377 of energy bill relief attached to the card.
- $377 toward household energy bills.
- Recognises foster carers and grandparent carers (grandcarers).
- Either caring role qualifies — you do not need to hold another concession card.
Eligibility Conditions
The eligibility block requires WA residency plus either caring role (an any branch on the carer fields).
- Western Australian resident:
state = WA. - Foster carer:
caring_for_foster_child = true, or - Grandparent carer:
is_grandcarer = true.
Only one of the two caring roles needs to be true, so a grandparent raising a grandchild qualifies even if they are not a registered foster carer, and vice versa.
The $377 is energy bill relief, so the value lands on your power account rather than as a cash payment.
How To Apply
The card is issued by the Western Australian Government; watch the program page for the application channel as it opens.
- Foster carers are recognised through their existing carer arrangements with the Department of Communities.
- Grandparent carers raising a grandchild can register their caring role to receive the card.
- The $377 energy relief is applied to the energy account linked to the cardholder.
Rule-Based Scenarios
Scenario 1: a grandparent raising a grandchild
A WA grandparent who is the full-time carer of their grandchild qualifies for the Gold Card and the $377 energy relief, even without being a registered foster carer.
Scenario 2: a registered foster carer
A WA foster carer caring for a child in out-of-home care qualifies for the card and the $377 energy bill relief.
Scenario 3: a household with no caring role
A WA household that is neither fostering nor raising a grandchild is not eligible for this card.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking you must be both a foster and grandparent carer. You do not. Either caring role on its own qualifies.
- Expecting a cash payment. The $377 is energy bill relief applied to your power account, not a cash transfer.
- Assuming you need another concession card first. You do not — eligibility is based on your caring role, not on holding a Pensioner or Health Care Card.
Related Benefits
- Grandcarers Support Scheme — annual payment for grandparents raising grandchildren.
- Energy Assistance Payment — annual energy bill credit for concession-card holders.
- Dependent Child Rebate — extra energy rebate for households with dependent children.
- Secondary Assistance Scheme — help with secondary school costs for cardholder families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the WA Foster and Grand Carer Gold Card?
A new card announced in the 2026-27 Budget that recognises foster carers and grandparent carers and includes $377 of energy bill relief.
How much is the energy relief?
The card includes $377 toward household energy bills.
Do I have to be both a foster carer and a grandparent carer?
No. Either role qualifies you on its own.
Is the $377 paid as cash?
No. It is energy bill relief applied to the energy account linked to the cardholder.
Do I need another concession card to qualify?
No. Eligibility is based on your caring role, not on holding another card.
I'm a grandparent raising my grandchild — do I qualify?
Yes. Grandparent carers (grandcarers) are eligible even if they are not registered foster carers.
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