This paper provides background information about the best ways of increasing the number of high quality foster and kinship carers in the Northern Territory (NT) by considering: what characteristics of potential carers, children, environments and systems influence decisions to become foster or kinship carers, particularly in NT; and what elements are necessary for successful recruitment campaigns for kinship and foster carers, in the NT in particular. Formal kinship care is the fastest growing form of out-of-home care in Australia due to a greater recognition of the importance of maintaining a child’s connection with family and culture for children who are removed from their birth parents. In the NT in 2010-2011 most (79%) of the out-of-home population identified as Aboriginal. The establishment of the peak body Strong Aboriginal Families, Together (SAF,T) and the proposed establishment of Aboriginal Child Care Agencies will help in the recruitment and retention of Aboriginal carers in NT.