New babies and young children: support in Tasmania
Australian Breastfeeding Association
If you’re breastfeeding and need help, trained volunteer counsellors can give you reassurance, information and advice about breastfeeding and overcoming common breastfeeding difficulties. Phone the National Breastfeeding Helpline on 1800 686 268 (1800 MUM 2 MUM), 7 days, 24 hours. You can also connect with your local ABA group.
Child Health and Parenting Service
The Child Health and Parenting Service provides free child health checks at key developmental ages between birth and 4 years. After you have a baby, a child and family health nurse can visit you at home, or you can see them at your nearest child health centre. Nurses can also give you information and advice on a range of parenting and family issues. To make an appointment, phone 1300 064 544, Monday-Friday, 8.30 am-5 pm.
Healthdirect Australia
This is a free 24-hour telephone health information and advice service. Phone 1800 022 222 to speak to a registered nurse, 7 days, 24 hours.
Parent Line
This is a telephone service offering information and support to parents and carers. Phone Parent Line on 1300 808 178, 7 days, 24 hours.
Child care in Tasmania
There are 5 main options for child care and early education in Australia:
- Home-based care – this is when a friend, relative, babysitter or nanny cares for your child in your own home.
- Centre-based care – this includes long day care, occasional care, preschools and kindergartens.
- Family day care – this is when an approved educator cares for your child in the educator’s home.
- Business-related creches – this is informal child care offered in businesses like gyms or shopping centres.
- Outside school hours care – this is centre-based child care for primary school-age children before and/or after school, on student-free days and during the school holidays.
Playgroups in Tasmania
Playgroups are a great way for young children to practise getting along with others and try new ways to play. They’re good for parents too, with plenty of support and social contact in a relaxed, welcoming environment.
For more information or to find a playgroup near you, phone Playgroup Tasmania on 1300 035 350, Monday-Friday, 9 am-3.30 pm.
Preschool or kindergarten in Tasmania
Preschool is generally for children who turn 4 in the year before starting school. Some states and territories offer preschool for 3-year-olds.
Preschool programs help children learn and develop through play. They also help children get ready for the transition to school.
In Tasmania, preschool is called kindergarten. Some kindergartens are located in public schools – you can find out more about kindergarten in Tasmanian Government schools. Others are run by local governments, community-based organisations or the private sector.
Use the Starting Blocks service finder to find a kindergarten near you.
Children with disability, autism or additional needs: support in Tasmania
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is a national scheme to support people with disability.
If your child has a disability, developmental delay or developmental concerns, the NDIS can help you and your child get services and support in your community. Start by phoning the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) on 1800 800 110, Monday-Friday, 8 am-8 pm.
Read more about the NDIS. Find links to other child and parent disability services.
Your mental health, wellbeing and relationships: support in Tasmania
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed or you’re struggling with your mental health or relationships, getting professional support is a very good idea. You could start by talking to your GP.
Here are more ways to get support for mental health and wellbeing:
- Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636 for mental health support.
- Check Head to Health to find online programs, forums and information on specific mental health topics.
For relationships support, call:
- Relationships Australia – Tasmania on 1300 364 277, Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm
- Family Relationships Online on 1800 050 321, Monday-Friday, 8 am-8 pm; and Saturday, 10 am-4 pm (except national public holidays).
If there are problems in your relationships like family violence, call:
- Family Violence Counselling and Support Service on 1800 608 122, Monday-Friday, 9 am-midnight; and Saturday-Sunday and public holidays, 4 pm-midnight
- National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service on 1800 737 732 (1800RESPECT), 7 days, 24 hours.
General parenting services and information in Tasmania
Infoxchange Service Seeker is a directory of community services in Australia. Search for ‘parenting’ to find parenting support and other services in your area.
Tasmanian Government services and other links for families
Service Tasmania
This website is a useful place to start if you’re looking for government services in Tasmania. You can make payments, download forms and find information. Service Tasmania also has shops throughout Tasmania where you can access services in person, or you can call 1300 135 513, Monday-Friday, 8 am-5.30 pm.
Tasmanian Government
This is the website of the Tasmanian Government. It has information about Tasmania and about services provided by the Government. The website has links to Tasmanian Government agencies and departments.
Tasmanian Government – Department for Education, Children and Young People
This Department is responsible for education and training, child safety, adoptions, out-of-home care and student health and wellbeing. Its website has a directory of Tasmanian schools, school term dates and other information for parents and students.
Tasmanian Government – Department of Health
This Department is responsible for hospitals, ambulances, community health and related areas like primary health care. The website has a health service finder for these and other services for families.
Our guide to parent and family services has links to national, state and territory services and support for parents and families of all kinds. We also have information about services and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, multicultural families, LGBTIQ+ families and families with disability.