In serious and life threatening emergencies, call 000 for an ambulance
For urgent problems, go to your nearest emergency department
If it is less urgent, contact your doctor or local medical centre. You can also call Healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for free health advice, 24 hours a day.
Health and development
Having health professionals regularly check your child's health and development in their early years will help find what support they might need early – before they start school. Take your child for their health and development checks at 3 years and 4 years.
You know your child best. If they are not meeting one or more milestones, have lost skills they once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your doctor or child and family health nurse about your concerns.
It’s also important to also make sure they receive their vaccinations on time, in line with the NSW immunisation schedule.
- 13QUIT (13 78 48) provides information, tools and helpful hints on how to quit smoking and/or vaping. Quitting smoking and or/vaping reduces your child’s risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) – NSW Government
- Child and family health services offer free health and development checks, support, information and referrals for NSW parents and carers of children aged 0-5 – NSW Health
- Health and development checks in ECEC services offer free 4-year health and development checks at your child’s preschool or long day care service – NSW Department of Education and NSW Health
- Healthdirect call 1800 022 222 for free health advice 24/7 – Australian Government
National Health Services Directory has a comprehensive directory of healthcare professionals and services – Australian Government
Parenting support services has information on types of help available to NSW parents – NSW Health
Pregnancy, Birth & Baby call 1800 882 436 or video call to speak to a maternal child health nurse, available 7am to midnight (AEST), 7 days a week – Australian Government
StEPS program offers all children free vision screening in the year before starting school, through early childhood education and care (ECEC) services or a child and family health service – NSW Health
- Building brains and bodies are short videos that show you simple things you can do in your child’s early years to help them grow and thrive. Available in 4 community languages – NSW Health
Child health and development shows how easy it is for you to give your child the best start in life – NSW Health (First five years)
Child safety to prevent childhood injuries and accidents– NSW Health
Free online CPR training for parents and carers – Sydney Children Hospital Network
Kidsafe NSW provides education, advocacy and research to prevent unintentional serious injury and death of children
Learn the Signs. Act Early are milestone monitoring tools that are in the Blue Book and help parents track your child’s development – NSW Health (First five years)
Love Talk Sing Read Play provides ideas and tips to help you engage with your child – Families NSW
On time childhood vaccination is the best way to protect your children against serious preventable diseases – NSW Health
Preschoolers behaviour provides information, tips and strategies to help manage common behaviour during this stage such as shyness and tantrums, lying and sibling fights – Raising Children Network
Screen time and digital technology use for children 2-5 years – Raising Children Network
- Small Bites for Big Steps: Families and Carers – Preschool provides small bites of practical health and wellbeing information for families and carers of children aged 3 to 5 years – NSW Health
The Blue Book records your child’s health, illnesses, injuries, and growth and development, and contains valuable health information that you and your child will need throughout their life – NSW Health
Toilet training guide and the signs your child might be ready – Raising Children Network
Learning and education
Early childhood education and care helps give children the best start in life. Get started by finding a quality service near you. If your child is starting preschool, there are resources with practical tips and checklists to prepare your child for their first day of preschool. We’ve also included ideas for play-based learning at home.
- Aboriginal child and family centres provide culturally safe services for families with Aboriginal children about education, maternal and child health, and family support – NSW Communities and Justice
- Child Care Subsidy can help you with the cost of child care – Services Australia
- Dolly Parton's Imagination Library provides eligible children with a free book once a month – NSW Government
- Find a playgroup in your area by using this helpful tool – Playgroup NSW
- Find early childhood education and care providers by using this helpful tool – Starting Blocks
- Benefits of early childhood education include opportunities for your child to learn and develop, make friends, develop independence and learn new routines – NSW Department of Education
- Bright Tomorrows provides access to over 1000 meaningful moments and tips to help build young brains
- Choosing a quality service will give your child the best start in life – NSW Department of Education
- Deadly Tots App contains information for every Aboriginal family to help their bub learn and grow – Australian Government
- Early childhood education and care options will depend on your family’s needs but there are many different types available – NSW Government
- Finding a preschool is easy through this tool – Starting Blocks
- Getting prepared for preschool allows your child to be ready on the first day – NSW Department of Education
- Love Talk Sing Read Play provides ideas and tips to help you engage with your child – Families NSW
- Play is the way to learn all day and builds your child’s development – Learning Potential
- Preschool enrolment through the Department of Education preschools enrol children for one year only, the year before they start kindergarten – NSW Department of Education
- Starting preschool involves getting yourself and your child ready. A guide is available to help you understand how preschool works – NSW Department of Education
Mental health and wellbeing
Children thrive when they feel safe and loved. This is very important for their mental health and development. This sets them up with the life skills they need, such as with friendships and how they manage their feelings. Like adults, children have many feelings – joy, sadness, anger, fear.
Support is available you need help with you or your child’s mental health or wellbeing.
13YARN call 13 92 76 24/7 and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter if you are feeling worried or no good
Beyond Blue call 1300 224 636 for 24/7 mental health support and information
Mensline Australia call 1300 78 99 78 for 24/7 counselling and support for men for family and relationship issues
Mental health help for parents and babies provides services, programs and resources for parents and parents expecting a baby who are experiencing mental health issues – NSW Health
Mental Health Line call 1800 011 511 to access the free statewide phone service which links people with mental health services – NSW Health
QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTIQ+ peer support and referral. Call 1800 184 527 from 3pm to midnight, every day – Australian Government
Red Nose Australia call 1300 308 307 for immediate 24/7 bereavement support. This service is for anyone affected by miscarriage, stillbirth, baby or child death
Transcultural Mental Health Line call 1800 648 911 Monday to Friday between 9am and 4:30pm – NSW Health
- Child mental health and wellbeing resources for parents and carers – Raising Children
- WellMob provides social, emotional and cultural wellbeing resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People – WellMob
- Yarn Safe resources are for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that may help you or somebody else, when going through a hard time – Headspace
Payments and rebates
There are many financial support options available to parents and carers. Explore these resources to learn about the payments, benefits and support you can access.
- Family Assistance Payments – Services Australia
- Family Tax Benefit is a 2-part payment that helps with the cost of raising children
- Parenting Payment is an ongoing payment for the primary carers of young children
- Start Strong provides fee relief to families with children in preschool to ensure all children in New South Wales can participate in 600 hours of quality preschool education in the years before school.
Getting financial support when you’ve had a baby can include family assistance payments, savings on health care, early childhood education and living costs – NSW Government
Child care subsidy provides assistance to help you with the cost of child care – Services Australia
If you have a child with disability or additional needs resources and support services are available – NSW Government
Raising kids is expensive but there are payments and services to help with the cost of raising a child – Services Australia
Seeking support if you experience domestic violence
All children, from newborn babies to older children, who experience domestic and family violence in the home are impacted, whether or not they are directly targeted by the violence. Support services are available to assist with the safety of children experiencing domestic violence.
- 1800 RESPECT is available for free 24/7 to support people impacted by domestic, family or sexual violence. Call 1800 73 77 32 or contact via online chat. All calls are confidential – Australian Government
- Child Protection Helpline call 13 21 11 to report concerns about the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. It is available 24/7
Lifeline (13 11 14) is a national number which can assist to connect women experiencing domestic and family violence to crisis responses in NSW. It is available 24/7
Link2Home Homelessness call 1800 152 152 for state-wide homelessness information and referral telephone service. It is available 24/7
NSW Domestic Violence Line provides counselling and referrals to women experiencing domestic and family violence. Call 1800 656 463 24/7. All calls are confidential – NSW Government
NSW Sexual Violence Helpline call 1800 424 017 for telephone and online counselling for anyone who is or has experienced sexual violence. It is available 24/7
Victims Access Line call 1800 633 063 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
- Family violence: effects on parents & kids – Raising Children Network
Support for parents and carers with a disability
Becoming a parent or carer is a huge life adjustment and the challenges can be greater for people with a disability. There are resources and services in NSW to support you.
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides support for people with disability and their families including funding available such as support services, home modifications and equipment – Australian Government
Parenting with a disability and the support services available to you – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
Understanding the NDIS including getting started, service providers, and resources to support children and their families – NDIS
Supporting a child with a disability
Children with a disability may have special health and learning needs. Find resources and support services below.
Carer Allowance provides payment if you care for someone who needs daily support – Services Australia
Carer Gateway provides emotional and practical services and support for carers call 1800 422 737 Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm – Australian Government
Child Disability Assistance Payment provides financial support to carers with a child with disability or medical condition – Services Australia
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provides support for people with disabilities, including children, and their families. call 1800 800 110 – Australian Government
NDIS early childhood early intervention approach (NDIS) assists families and children with disability to get the right support. Call 1800 800 110 – Australian Government
Parent Line NSW on 1300 1300 52 for information, confidential counselling and help accessing support services
Childhood disability presents in many different ways, but your child has legal rights and there are resources to manage your emotions – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
Getting financial and other types of support for families who have a child with disability – NSW Government
If you have a child with disability or additional needs resources and support services are available – NSW Government
Work and employment
It can be difficult to find a balance between work and family commitments. This information on your rights and responsibilities will help you manage your return to work.
Dad and Partner Pay is a payment for up to 2 weeks while you care for your new child born or adopted before 1 July 2023 – Services Australia
Parental Leave Pay is a payment to help families taking time off work to care for a newborn or newly adopted child – Services Australia
If you are going back to work consider your rights and responsibilities at work, flexible work arrangements and any support you may need – NSW Government
Returning to work from parental leave leave involves knowing your entitlements including flexible working arrangements– Fair Work Ombudsman
Important tools
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