Foster Child Medical and Travel Consent in Tasmania: Who Can Say OK?

One of the most frustrating surprises for new foster carers is discovering how many everyday decisions require approval that doesn't come from them. Can you sign the permission slip for the school excursion? Can you take the child to the GP without asking anyone first? Can you drive them to your parents' place in Launceston for the weekend?

In Tasmania, DECYP publishes a reference document specifically called "Who Can Say OK in Tasmania?" to answer exactly these questions. But it's dense, and the real-world application isn't always obvious. Here's the plain-English version.

Legal Guardianship Versus Day-to-Day Care

When a child is placed in your care under a Care and Protection Order, legal guardianship sits with the Secretary of DECYP — not with you, and not with the birth parents. You have parental responsibility for day-to-day care, but major decisions require approval from the child's Child Safety Officer (CSO) or, in some cases, the Secretary directly.

The distinction matters because "day-to-day" is broader than it sounds. You can:

• Take the child to routine GP and dental appointments
• Sign permission slips for normal school activities
• Make decisions about food, clothing, hairstyle, and daily routine
• Organise sleepovers with children from school (subject to any specific care plan restrictions)
• Travel within Tasmania without special approval in most cases

What you cannot do without checking first:

• Consent to elective surgery or non-emergency procedures under general anaesthetic
• Travel interstate or overseas with the child
• Apply for or renew the child's passport
• Allow the child to be tattooed or have a piercing that isn't in their ears
• Make any decision that conflicts with the child's documented Care Plan

Medical Consent in Practice

For routine healthcare, foster carers in Tasmania have standing to consent. If a child needs to see a GP about an ear infection, you book the appointment and take them. If they need a standard childhood vaccination, you can consent to that too.

The threshold for needing CSO involvement is any procedure that carries significant risk, is irreversible, or where there's likely to be disagreement. The test the DECYP documentation uses is whether a reasonable parent would consider this a major decision. Elective surgery, dental procedures requiring general anaesthetic, and any mental health treatment involving medication all fall into this category.

In practice, it's always better to over-communicate with the CSO than to under-communicate. If you're uncertain whether something requires approval, send a message before the appointment rather than after. A CSO who learns about a procedure after the fact — even a routine one — will raise this in supervision, and it can create friction in an otherwise smooth placement.

One practical item: every child in out-of-home care in Tasmania is eligible for a Foster Child Health Care Card through Centrelink. This gives them access to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme safety net and bulk-billing at many medical services. Apply for this at the start of any new placement.

Travel Consent for Foster Children

Travel within Tasmania generally doesn't require formal approval unless the child's Care Plan specifically restricts it. Taking a child to a holiday house in Bicheno or a weekend away in Strahan falls within normal carer discretion.

Interstate travel is different. Any trip that takes the child out of Tasmania requires prior approval from the CSO and should be documented. This isn't bureaucracy for its own sake — it ensures the child can be located if a care review, court hearing, or family contact arrangement is affected.

Overseas travel is the most restricted category. Consent must come from the Secretary of DECYP, not just the CSO. The same rule applies to passport applications. If you're planning an international holiday and want to bring the child, raise it at least two to three months in advance — the approval process takes time, and last-minute requests are often declined simply because there isn't enough lead time.

When You Disagree with the Decision

You may request a review if the CSO denies approval for something you believe is in the child's best interests. This is your right as a carer, and using it does not mark you as difficult. Document your request in writing and note the CSO's response.

If you believe a decision is seriously harming the child, you can escalate to the Foster and Kinship Carers Association Tasmania (FKAT). FKAT operates a peer advocacy program called FAST (Foster and Kinship Care Advocacy and Support Team), where trained volunteer carers can attend meetings with Child Safety Services on your behalf. Contact FKAT on 1800 149 994.

Cultural and Religious Decisions

If a child has an Aboriginal Cultural Support Plan — as required for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children — that plan outlines specific obligations around cultural activities, community connection, and participation in ceremonies. These are not optional. As the carer, you're required to support the child's attendance at these activities, and that includes any travel or time-off-school implications.

For decisions about religious participation, the guiding principle is the child's best interests and any existing practice before placement. If a child was attending a church or mosque before coming into your care, that continuity should be maintained where possible.

Understanding the boundaries of your authority is one of the most important parts of foster carer preparation. The Tasmania Foster Care Guide includes a practical breakdown of the "Who Can Say OK" framework, covering everything from haircuts to school camps to medical procedures — so you know what to ask and what you can decide yourself.

See more Australia guides →