Hi Fi Mack
As you have read from my previous post I have been through this process recently. From the day we submitted our original application to when we got the official approval was 11 months. We were approved in August and are still awaiting a placement. How long it takes depends on a lot of factors. Are you prepared to take siblings? They try to keep kids together if possible so carers who are prepared to take a sibling group will be offered the placement first. Are you willing to take an older child? Babies don’t come up very often so if your holding out for a baby you could be waiting for a while. We have also been approved for weekend respite a few weeks ago. We like you decided to do this while we were waiting for a long term placement.
Can I recommend that you check out this website www.carersforcarers.net. It is an Australian forum for foster carers and I have found it really helpful. All the people on this site are a wealth of information in relation to foster care and how the system works. It can take a few days to get your access to the forum approved but it is a great site.
Good luck on your journey. All I can say is be patient. It takes ages and is very frustrating but it will be worth it when you get your placement.