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
Health and development checks are very important. They help you track how your child is growing and developing by looking at how they play, learn, speak, act and move. Take your toddler for their health and development checks at 18 months, 2 years and 3 years. These can be done by your doctor or child and family health service.
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 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
- 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 and 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
- 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
- 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
- Love Talk Sing Read Play provides ideas and tips to help you engage with your child – Families NSW
- Monitoring your baby’s developmentto help track your baby’s key milestones – NSW Government
- On time childhood vaccination is the best way to protect your children against serious preventable diseases – NSW Health
- Screen time: babies and toddlers and what is suitable – Raising Children Network
- Small Bites for Big Steps: Toddlersprovides small bites of practical health and wellbeing information for families and carers of toddlers – 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
- Toddlers behaviour provides information, tips and strategies to help manage common behaviour during this stage such as tantrums, sibling fights and learning to share – Raising Children Network
- Toilet training guide and the signs your child might be ready – Raising Children Network
Learning and education
Explore these support services and resources so you can help your toddler to learn and grow. You can also find out the different options of quality early childhood education and care available to you.
- Aboriginal child and family centres provide culturally safe services for families with Aboriginal children, including 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 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
Choosing a quality service will give your child the best start in life – NSW Department of Education
Early childhood education and care options will depend on your family’s needs but there are many different types available – NSW Government
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
Small Bites for Big Steps: Families and Carers - Toddlers provides small bites of practical health and wellbeing information for families and carers of children aged 18 months to 3 years – NSW Health
Mental health and wellbeing
Children feel safe and loved when they have secure emotional relationships with their caregivers. This helps build a healthy attachment with others and positive mental health. You won't spoil your child by giving them your attention and spending quality time together. In fact, you are laying down foundations for their mental health and wellbeing. It's ok to need help.
- 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 and Friday between 9am and 4:30pm – NSW Health
- A guide for dads caring for family during perinatal mental illness available from pregnancy until your child turns 2 years old – NSW Health
- Child mental health and wellbeing resources for parents and carers – Raising Children Network
- 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
Explore these services and resources to find out about the different financial support options available.
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 main carers of young children
Child Care Subsidy provides assistance to help you with the cost of child care – Services Australia
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
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 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
- Family violence: effects on parents & kids– Raising Children Network
Sleep and settling
These services and resources can support you if you need more help with sleep and settling.
- Child and family health services offer free information and support on sleeping and settling your baby – NSW Health
Safe Sleep Advice for Parents and Carers call 1300 998 698 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (AEST) – Red Nose Australia
Tresillian call 1300 272 736, 7am to 11pm , every day.
Karitane call 1300 227 464, 8am to 9pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 4.30pm Friday, 9am to 3.30pm Saturday
Speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week – Pregnancy, Birth and Baby
Helping your child sleep through the night requires teaching your child good sleeping habits – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
Settling: 1-3 years provides information on supporting your toddler’s sleep, including tips when they can’t sleep – Tresillian
Toddlers sleep teaches you about toddler sleep needs, routines, problems and more – Raising Children Network
Support for parents and carers with a disability
Parenting and caring with a disability can be challenging. These services and resources can support you through the journey.
- 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
A disability can present from birth or develop after and can take time to identify and diagnose. Here’s some information on getting a diagnosis and support services available if your toddler has a disability.
- 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 counsellors provide confidential and non-judgmental advice and support for parents and carers of children with a disability. Call 1300 1300 52 – NSW Government
- Caring for a child with a disability can be challenging but there’s support and payments available to help you – Services Australia
Childhood disability presents in many different ways, but your child has legal rights and there are resources to manage your emotions – Pregnancy, Birth & Baby
Early childhood education and care options that offer disability support – NSW Government
Getting NDIS support can be through a referral from your doctor, family nurse, paediatrician, or child care centre, and does not require a diagnosis for children under 6 – NSW Government
If your baby has a disability support is available for getting a diagnosis – NSW Government
Work and employment
These services and resources will help you manage your work and your family commitments.
- 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 involves knowing your entitlements including flexible working arrangements – Fair Work Ombudsman
Important tools
Automatic language translation
To use the automatic translator, select your preferred language from the translation tool at the top right-hand corner of this page.