A range of resources especially for professionals is available from the Early Childhood Connections website, including information on child care and children’s health, a conferences directory and a dedicated links directory.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC)
SNAICC is the national body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Services. The website has extensive resources as well as a national services directory.
Child care and education
Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)
ACECQA oversees the quality of early childhood education and care throughout Australia.
Early Childhood Australia (ECA)
ECA is the peak national organisation for the early childhood sector. This website has information and resources for professionals working with children from 0-8 years.
Family Day Care Australia
This is the national peak body for family day care services. It’s a member-based non-profit organisation that works to support and promote family day care services.
National Out of School Hours Services Association
This is a national body promoting quality programs for school-age children during out-of-school hours.
National Quality Framework (NQF)
The National Quality Framework aims to raise quality and drive improvement and consistency in education and care services in Australia. Beginning in January 2012, the NQF applies to most long day care, family day care, preschool (or kindergarten) and outside school hours care services. The framework is overseen by a new national body – the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA, see above).
Child protection
Australian Childhood Foundation
This non-profit organisation works to support children and families affected by family violence, abuse and neglect. The website has information on counselling, advocacy and research, as well as training programs for parents and professionals.
Domestic Violence Resource Centre Victoria The Domestic Violence Resource Centre is based in Melbourne and offers a telephone support and referral service. The website has resources, information and advice on family violence and sexual abuse, as well as a national service directory.
National Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN)
This organisation runs a range of programs and education campaigns to prevent child abuse. The website includes downloadable positive parenting resources.
Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA)
FECCA is the national peak body representing Australians from CALD backgrounds. The website has resources and publications on multicultural issues.
FKA Children’s Services
This organisation works with kindergartens and child care services in Victoria to provide more inclusive environments for people from CALD backgrounds.
Multicultural Mental Health Australia
This organisation works to improve mental health in CALD communities. The website has translated mental health resources that mental health professionals can use with clients from diverse backgrounds. There are also links to other translated resources available online.
My Language
The My Language website was created by all the state and territory libraries to allow public libraries and CALD communities to share information and resources. The website has a range of translated information covering health, law, education, settlement and libraries. There are also links to other websites with information in languages other than English.
Disability
Early Childhood Intervention Australia
This organisation promotes early intervention for infants and young children with developmental delays or disabilities. It runs workshops, seminars and conferences and has a chapter in each state and territory.
Healthy Start
Healthy Start is a national strategy that aims to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for children whose parents have learning difficulties. It brings together practitioners, managers, researchers and policy-makers to share knowledge, information, resources and expertise.
National Disability Services (NDS)
NDS is the national industry association for disability services, representing 700 non-government organisations throughout Australia. The website has a directory of services and links to training opportunities for disability workers.
Family relationships
Australian Institute of Family Studies
This Australian Government agency conducts research into family issues. The website has research and publications as well as an online library and links to other resources for professionals.
Family Action Centre
This is an independent research centre based at the University of Newcastle in New South Wales. The Centre runs programs for families. It also publishes and distributes resources for professionals working with families. The website includes information about the National Father Inclusive Practice Framework, which helps practitioners in health, education, welfare and child care to encourage fathers to participate in their services.
Family Relationship Services Australia (FRSA)
FRSA is the national peak body for family relationship and support services. The website has a directory of services throughout Australia.
Health and wellbeing
Association for the Wellbeing of Children in Healthcare (AWCH)
AWCH is a national organisation advocating for the needs of children, young people and families within the health care system in Australia. This website includes a directory of paediatric support groups and other resources to assist children and their families.
Australian Association for Infant Mental Health
This organisation promotes the importance of infancy in psychosocial development.
Australian General Practice Network
This organisation represents general practitioners, practice nurses and allied health professionals. It promotes early intervention and prevention strategies, chronic disease management, medical education and workforce support.
Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY)
ARACY works to improve the wellbeing of children and young people. It conducts research and promotes evidence-based practice and policy.
Medicare – For health professionals
This section of the Medicare website is for health professionals. It has information about health services, forms, policy updates and links to online services and online education modules.
Safety
Kidsafe
This is the national website of the Child Accident Prevention Foundation. It has links to the Kidsafe website for each state and territory, where you can find information and resources to help prevent childhood injury.
