Apply for a wish

• Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children diagnosed with a life-threatening condition or illness.

• We accept applications for life-threatening medical conditions which include, but are not limited to:
  • Leukaemia and other childhood cancers
  • Certain types of muscular dystrophy
  • Cardiac disorders

• Unsure whether your child's condition is medically eligible? That's ok! Please complete an application and we'll contact their medical specialist for confirmation.

• Your child’s treating medical specialist has the final say on medical eligibility and must approve your application before we can proceed.

• We'll do our best to facilitate this as quickly as possible and let you know when your medical specialist has given us approval.

• The child should be living in and/or receiving treatment in Australia.

• To ensure fairness for the many hundreds of seriously ill children who apply each year, we’re only able to grant one wish per child.

• This means a child who has already received a wish from Make-A-Wish* — or from another wish-granting organisation, either in Australia or overseas (such as the Starlight Foundation) — is not eligible for another wish.

• Thank you for understanding and helping us reach as many children as possible.

*Wish hamper recipients are an exception.

A common question we're asked is: “How long does it take for a wish to be granted?” The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer - just as every wish is unique, so is the time it takes to bring a wish to life.

Each Wish Journey is carefully tailored to the child’s medical needs, personal circumstances, and the nature of their wish. These factors all influence timing.

Some wishes - especially urgent ones - can be granted very quickly, sometimes within hours. Others take more time to plan and deliver. On average, most Wish Journeys unfold over 18 months to 2 years, allowing us to create an experience that’s safe, joyful, and truly meaningful for the child and their family.

We encourage applying for a wish as early as possible. Starting the Wish Journey early means it can complement a child’s medical treatment - providing hope, a positive distraction, and something exciting to look forward to, even before the wish comes true.

Every wish we grant is guided by a set of seven Wish Principles which reflect our commitment to the children we support.

1. The wish child comes first.
2. We believe in the power of wishes to bring hope and joy.
3. When it comes to the wellbeing or safety of the child, we don’t take risks.
4. We value fairness and equality.
5. We will not in any way jeopardise our mission, vision and values.
6. We will deliver wishes within our means today, and for a sustainable future.
7. We adhere to Make-A-Wish International policies and guidelines.

These core principles shape every step of the Wish Journey ensuring that each experience is safe, meaningful and true to our values.

We aim to make as many wishes come true as possible and, more often than not, we'll find a way to make them happen. However, there are times when certain types of wishes may not be available.

Guided by our Wish Principles, some exclusions may apply due to factors like availability, cost, or access to certain goods and services including:

• International travel
• Pool or spa installation
• Landscaping or structural renovations
• Electrical works or medical equipment
• Formal educational assistance
• Purchase of road-registered vehicles (including cars, camper trailers, vans, motorbikes, quad bikes) or personal watercraft (such as jet skis and jet-powered surfboards)

There are also some activities we’re unable to provide because of safety, legal, or insurance requirements.

To ensure every wish is safe and suitable, a medical specialist will need to provide clearance for the child’s health and wellbeing.

If a particular wish can’t be granted, we'll work closely with the child, their family and medical team to explore other exciting possibilities while staying true to the spirit and the 'why' of the original wish.

Younger children are eligible to receive a wish hamper, which is a selection of age-appropriate toys for children under 3. Once your child turns 3, you can reapply for a wish experience if they still meet the criteria. Receiving a wish hamper doesn’t affect future eligibility for a wish.

Why wishes start from age 3

You might wonder why full wish experiences begin at age 3. Here’s why:

• So the wish can be truly theirs: Around age 3, children begin to express their thoughts and dreams. This helps ensure the wish is something they can imagine, anticipate, and remember.
• So it’s meaningful and safe: Younger children are often still adjusting to their medical journey. Waiting until age 3 helps ensure they’re ready to safely enjoy the full experience of their wish.
• So they can be part of the journey: Wishes aren’t just a moment - they’re a journey. Children aged 3 and up can actively shape and experience every step.

You can apply for a wish hamper by following the same steps as applying for a wish experience.

1. Refer to the How it works section
2. Complete an application form
3. Our team will guide you through the process from there.

As part of our commitment to Child Safety, we require a parent or legal guardian’s signature at this point. This step only applies if someone started the application on behalf of the child's parent or guardian and is required before we can get in touch with your medical specialist.

Once we have parental consent, we’ll contact the child’s treating medical specialist to assess medical eligibility and approve the application. Please see eligibility criteria for more info.

Once approved by the medical specialist, the Wish Journey can begin!

We’ll team up with Make-A-Wish volunteers, the wish family, and our amazing Wish Force community to create a truly unforgettable Wish Jjourney.

✨ Need inspiration?

Click here to explore incredible wishes happening right now and ideas to spark imagination!