Wodonga couple Rebecca Barry and Else de Villiers have only one regret about becoming foster carers.
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Not doing it years ago.
"It's something we had spoken about, I reckon, for 10-plus years or more," Ms Barry said.
"We finally did it and haven't looked back since. It is a big step however I think if you take that first step earlier than we did, you'll find out the information you need to make a decision and I wish we had have made contact a lot sooner."
Ms Barry spoke to The Border Mail during Foster Care Week, September 13-19, about their four years' experience as foster carers.
Since 2016 they have welcomed children aged from newborn to about eight years on short and long term placements as well as respite care.
"They brighten up our world," she said. "We've gained a lot of love and a lot of laughter."
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Upper Murray Family Care's Jeanine Aughey, who is team leader of the carer management team, said it was common for people to consider becoming foster carers for years.
"It's those myths," she said.
"People think 'I've got a dog, I can't do it' or 'I rent, I can't do it' or 'I'm not married, so I can't do it' or 'I work during the day, so I can't do it'.
"But that's the reality for most of us, we have to work (etc.).
"The more variety we have in our households, the better we can match a child.
"That's going to try and meet the child's needs better and also will probably work better for the household."
Ms Aughey said anyone could contact Upper Murray Family Care, without obligation, for more information.
"We have kids of all ages, situations," she said.
"There's kids under 10 in residential care at the moment because we can't find placement for them.
"Historically we could place kids birth to 10 not a problem, but at the moment we're struggling."
The need for foster care is expected to increase with this year's COVID-19 restrictions creating additional pressures and isolation.
"It's just changed the situation for families and people can't support them or check on them as much as they usually would," she said.
Ms Barry said she and her partner had received training and there was ongoing assistance provided.
Navigating the administration around foster care proved more challenging at first than the actual caring.
The couple had thought originally owning a rottweiler might exclude them but now realised "kids grow up in all sorts of homes".
"It's something that can actually work around your lifestyle," Ms Barry said.
"Pick up the phone and make that call."
