Make A Wish Australia, Children's Charity - Dwayne on his wish wearing his space suit

What can I wish for?

At Make-A-Wish we start every Wish Journey with a simple but powerful question...

'If you could wish for anything, what would it be?'


At Make-A-Wish, we encourage wish children to EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES!

Some children know their wish right away, while others love exploring fun and exciting ideas before choosing their favourite. That’s where the adventure begins.

Some children may not be sure, and that's ok! Our amazing Wish Granting team is here to help during the Wish Capture stage of a Wish Journey. They’re experts at supporting wish kids to imagine the possibilities of a wish.

In the meantime, why not start imagining now?

Scroll down to explore a range of possibilities. There are lots of thought-starters to spark imagination and help wish children discover their one true wish!

Start exploring!

From furry friends and fairy wings, to cubby houses and backyard swings.

Be a superhero who saves the day, or meet a sports star and watch them play.

Host a princess party, see a unicorn fly, take a trip to the moon or a dragon ride.

Visit a theme park, a zoo for a day, or swim with turtles on a holiday!

Spark your imagination

Your wish is a chance to design something that reflects you - your interests, passions, dreams, and goals.

You could wish to:

  • Meet a hero or mentor who inspires you
  • Explore your passion - animals, art, design, fashion, film, media, music, science, sport, and more
  • Level up with cool tech or equipment
  • Redesign your space into a personal retreat
  • Travel somewhere meaningful
  • Experience something unforgettable

Whatever you imagine, we’re here to help shape a wish that feels personal, empowering, and truly yours. For more ideas and thought-starters, read about the types of wishes we've recently granted here.

For parents and guardians

Helping your child explore their wish

Your child’s wish is centred around hope, joy and possibility, and the Wish Capture stage is intentionally child‑led. Your child’s Wish Team will be with them (alongside their favourite people) every step of the way during the Wish Capture Visit, helping to turn their ideas into something special, just for them.

We understand that every child communicates differently, and that some children use alternative or assisted communication. In these situations, we work with parents and caregivers to help support their child in making their wish known, always keeping the focus on what will be most special and meaningful for the child.

If your child has siblings, we’re always happy to include them in the conversation and hear their ideas too.

To find out more about the wishes we grant, click here and to read some helpful information about the journey ahead click here.

Types of wishes

Tap on each of the icons below to learn more about the different types of wishes we've recently granted, with some real-life examples for inspiration.

Every year, lots of wish kids dream of having a special animal friend to love and care for — maybe a playful puppy, a cuddly kitten, a gentle horse, some cheeky chickens, or even a cool lizard!

For these wishes, the adventure begins with choosing the perfect companion. Wish kids get to decide if their new friend is a boy or a girl, what breed and colour they’d like, and even pick the name!

Then, the Wish team goes on a mission to make it all happen — finding that paw-fect pal and making sure everything is ready for their arrival.

There’ll be some fun along the way too — like shopping for food and accessories, and maybe even some training sessions to help get everything set up and ready to go!

Read about these Furry Friend wishes:

Some wish kids dream of becoming gaming superstars, rocking out on stage, capturing amazing photos, or even learning a new language! Whether they’re just starting out or already on their way to becoming pros, these wishes are all about the gear, gadgets, and experiences to take them to the next level and bring serious joy.

From the latest tech including gaming consoles, laptops, phones and watches to fashion, arts and crafts; from musical instruments and cameras to bikes, scooters and sports gear — each of these wishes is unique and built around what the wish kid loves most. They might go on a shopping spree, choose their dream setup, or get expert advice to help them grow their skills.

There’ll be plenty of fun along the way too — like choosing accessories, trying out new tech, and maybe even taking lessons to get everything set up and ready to go!

Whatever your hobbies, interests and talents, we'd love to create a unique wish based on the things you love!

Here's some Cool Stuff that kids have wished for:

Some wish kids dream of transforming into the person who inspires them most — maybe a brave firefighter, a daring astronaut, or a mischievous pirate. Others imagine becoming a magical mermaid, a dazzling dancer, or a superhero ready to save the day. Whatever the dream, Make-A-Wish is here to bring a child's imagination to life and turn it into reality!

Whether it’s playing dress-ups, going on a treasure hunt, or celebrating at a special event, these wishes are all about stepping into a world of fun and fantasy. From helping a favourite superhero catch the bad guys, to becoming a puppy princess or even seeing a unicorn fly — anything is possible!

There’ll be plenty of fun along the way too — like designing a costume, creating your own adventure story, or counting down the days with a special calendar in the lead up to wish day!

Dive into these Fun & Play wishes here:

Some wish kids dream of having a space that’s completely their own — a place to escape, relax, play, and just be themselves. It might be a magical fairy garden, a veggie patch full of life, a cosy bedroom makeover, a 'man cave' or even a cubby house where adventures begin!

These wishes are all about creating a special sanctuary away from hospitals — somewhere to dream big, connect with friends, or simply enjoy the moment. Whether it’s colourful, calming, or full of imagination, every dream space is designed just for the wish kid.

There’ll be plenty of fun along the way too — like choosing colours, picking out furniture or decorations, and watching a dream space come to life, one sparkly detail at a time!

Check out these wish stories on Dream Spaces

Most people never get to meet their idols… but wish kids just might! Imagine a wish kid chatting with their favourite singer, sports star, actor, or online personality — asking questions, hearing behind-the-scenes stories, or just sharing a laugh together.

While not every celebrity is available for wishes, the Make-A-Wish team will do their best to make it happen. That could mean a video chat, a personalised video message, or even a phone call with someone truly special.

Whether it’s a music artist, sports player or team, TV or movie star, or social media sensation, we’ll explore the options to create a wish experience that’s unforgettable.

There’ll be plenty of excitement along the way too — like preparing questions, planning an outfit, or counting down the days until your wish comes to life!

Check out these Celebrity wishes:

Some wish kids dream of exploring new places, going on epic adventures, or simply relaxing somewhere far away from hospitals and appointments. Travel wishes are super popular — and with so many amazing destinations across Australia, the possibilities are endless!

Wish kids might escape the heat by skiing at Mount Hotham, ride rollercoasters at the Gold Coast theme parks, or snorkel with turtles at Heron Island. They could visit tropical islands, explore the Great Barrier Reef, go deep sea fishing, or even swim with whale sharks!

For those who love the great outdoors, there’s camping under the stars, exploring the Outback, or spotting animals at one of Australia’s incredible zoos. Whether it’s the beach, the bush, or somewhere in between — every travel adventure is tailored to what the wish kid loves most.

There’ll be plenty of fun along the way too — like planning the itinerary, packing favourite outfits, and counting down the days until the journey begins!

For inspiration, check out these Travel Adventure wishes!

Icon of a smiling and sparkling star in white

Need more inspo?

There are so many wonderful wishes to read about and explore! For more ideas and thought-starters on what to wish for, check out our inspirational wish stories. They're full of real-life wishes that might help wish children discover what their perfect wish could be!

Helpful things to know

Every child's Wish Journey is carefully planned and delivered to create a positive, lasting impact on the lives of not only wish children themselves, but also their families and communities.

There are five stages of the Wish Journey: Wish Capture, Wish Design, Wish Anticipation, Wish Realisation and Wish Impact.

Find out more about each stage of the Wish Journey here.

A common question we're asked is: “How long can it take for a wish to be granted?” The truth is, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Every wish is unique and thoughtfully shaped around a child’s medical journey, educational commitments, personal situation and the wish they choose. All of these factors can influence timing.

Some wishes, particularly in urgent situations, can be delivered very quickly - sometimes within hours - while others take more time to carefully plan and bring to life. Most wish journeys unfold over 18 months to 2 years, allowing space to create an experience that is not only safe and joyful, but truly meaningful for the child and their family, and timed in a way that feels right for them.

We encourage parents or guardians to apply for a wish as early as possible. This allows the wish journey to sit alongside medical treatment, offering a positive distraction, a source of hope, and something joyful for the child and their family to look forward to - even before the wish itself comes true.

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, there are some wishes we're unable to grant due to things 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 your health and wellbeing.

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

Need more information?

If you have any questions, please contact us on 1800 032 260 and a member of our Wish Team will be in touch.

Wish children whose images feature on this page:

⭐Bryson, 12, medulloblastoma - I wish for a huge emergency services adventure.

⭐Ava, 6, Wilms tumour - I wish for a special cubby with two slides and lots of butterflies.

⭐Isabelle, 6, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - I wish to visit Fairy Land.

⭐Eve, 12, cystic fibrosis - I wish for the ultimate turtle adventure.

⭐Charlotte, 14, cystic fibrosis - I wish to hang out with my favourite skateboarders.

⭐Toby, 9, osteosarcoma - I wish to go on holiday with the family and meet Shaun the sheep.

⭐Tawhai, 7, rhabdomyosarcoma - I wish for a French Bulldog to call my own.

⭐Chelsea, 17, acute leukaemia - I wish to have a 'surprise' murder mystery night with my favourite people.

⭐Quinn, 6, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - I wish to see a unicorn fly in the sky.

⭐Sammy, 6, pleuropulmonary blastoma - I wish for a cubby that looks like Elsa's castle.

⭐Haidar, 9, hypoplastic left heart syndrome - I wish to meet my favourite footy team, the Brisbane Lions.

⭐Ari, 9, congenital muscular dystrophy - I wish for a daredevil trip to the snow.