Anglicare Victoria foster carers charged with child sexual abuse offences

A couple once lauded as some of Anglicare Victoria's youngest foster carers have been charged with child sexual abuse offences.

Andrew Clifford Grey, 28, and Daniel James Grey, 26, from Bendigo were charged by the Australian Federal Police in May.

A suppression order restricted the media from identifying Andrew Grey until last week.

According to court documents obtained by the ABC, police allege Andrew Grey sexually assaulted a child under 16 years of age and produced, transmitted and possessed child abuse material.

Daniel Grey has also been charged with online child abuse material offences, using a carriage service to prepare or plan to engage in sexual activity with a child, and failing to disclose sexual offences against a child to police.

Both men have been charged with engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

Daniel Grey's lawyer told Bendigo Magistrates' Court this month more time was needed to review the case and speak with police.

The magistrate said he would adjourn the matter until November given the volume of the material.

Andrew Grey is due to return to court in October.

Profiled foster carers

In September 2022, the couple were profiled by various media outlets for Foster Care Week.

At that stage they said they had been foster carers for 11 months.

Andrew Grey told SBS News he was inspired to follow in his parents' footsteps as foster carers.

"I just thought, they're making such a big difference, the kids would always come so traumatised but then by the time they would leave they were in such a better place in their own lives," he said.

Anglicare Victoria said it was unable to comment as the matter was before the courts.

Andrew Grey lists himself online as a foster carer with Anglicare Victoria since 2021.

He also lists himself as a Team Leader at Northern Health, where he has worked for seven years.

A Northern Health spokesperson said it was unable to comment on matters currently before the court.

"However, we can confirm that the role held by the individual did not involve working with children," the spokesperson said.

The ABC understands Andrew Grey took leave from his position earlier this year.

In May, Bendigo South East College and Kennington Primary School wrote to parents and carers alerting them to charges against Daniel Grey due to his recent involvement with the schools.

In letters seen by the ABC, the schools assured parents and carers the charges did not involve any of their students.

He was also a teaching student and had previously been a cook at Jenny's Early Learning Centre.

The centre told families he had been employed in a non-educating role, with no unsupervised access to children or education spaces at any time.