New South Wales: services

Pregnancy: support in New South Wales

MotherSafe
This free telephone service offers counselling for women and health care providers concerned about exposure during pregnancy and breastfeeding – for example, exposure to prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, drugs, infections and radiation. Phone MotherSafe on 02 9382 6539 or 1800 647 848 (outside metro Sydney), Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm (except public holidays).

If you have morning sickness or hyperemesis gravidarum, you can call MotherSafe Monday-Friday, 9 am-9 pm.

New babies and young children: support in New South Wales

Australian Breastfeeding Association
If you’re breastfeeding and need help, trained volunteer counsellors can give you reassurance, information and advice about breastfeeding and how to overcome 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.

Early childhood health centres
These centres have child and family health nurses who can check your baby’s health. If you have any concerns about your baby, your young child, yourself or your family, these nurses can help. You can search for your local centre using NSW Health’s interactive map or contact Healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222.

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.

Karitane
This organisation provides information and support to families, health professionals and the community. Karitane offers telephone support, a volunteer home visiting program, a residential facility and several education programs. Phone Karitane on 1300 227 464 (1300 CARING), Monday-Thursday, 8 am-9 pm; Friday, 8 am-4.30 pm; and Saturday, 9 am-3.30 pm.

Parent Line NSW
This is a confidential telephone advice and information service for parents and carers in New South Wales. Counsellors with experience in helping families will listen and give you support, help and information. Phone Parent Line NSW on 1300 130 052, Monday-Friday, 9 am-9 pm; and Saturday-Sunday, 4 pm-9 pm.

Tresillian
This organisation helps families with young children in New South Wales, offering day stay and residential programs. You can also get advice from qualified professionals by phoning Tresillian’s Parent’s Help Line on 1300 272 736 (1300 2 Parent), 7 days, 7 am-11 pm.

Child care in New South Wales

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.

You can use the Australian Government’s Starting Blocks website to search for child care services near you, find out about different types of services, and get information about government assistance with fees. You can also read more in our articles on getting started with child care, child care costs and Australian Government assistance and high-quality child care.

Playgroups in New South Wales

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 NSW on 1800 171 882 (free call in NSW) or (02) 9684 9500, Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm.

Preschool in New South Wales

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.

Some preschools are located in public schools – you can find out more about preschools run by the NSW Department of Education. Others are run by local governments, community-based organisations or the private sector.

Use the Starting Blocks service finder to find preschools near you.

Children with disability, autism or other additional needs: support in New South Wales

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) 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 New South Wales

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 – New South Wales 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.

If there are problems in your relationships like family violence, call

NSW Domestic Violence Line on 1800 656 463, 7 days, 24 hours
NSW Health Sexual Assault Services
NSW Rape Crisis on 1800 424 017, 7 days, 24 hours
National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service on 1800 737 732 (1800RESPECT), 7 days, 24 hours.

General parenting services and information in New South Wales

Infoxchange Service Seeker
This is a directory of community services in Australia. Search for ‘parenting’ to find parenting support and other services in your area.

NSW Government services and other links for families

Advocate for Children and Young People
The Advocate for Children and Young People is an independent statutory organisation within the NSW Government. It advocates for and promotes the wellbeing of children and young people in New South Wales.

NSW Government
This is the website of the NSW Government. Here you can find information about New South Wales and about services provided by the NSW Government. The website has links to NSW Government agencies and departments.

NSW Government – Department of Communities and Justice
This Department is responsible for child protection and community services. It works with non-government organisations and other government agencies to provide child protection, parenting support, early intervention, foster care and adoption services.

NSW Government – Department of Education
This Department is responsible for regulating schools, TAFEs and child care in New South Wales. The website has a NSW public school finder and a range of practical resources to support children at school.

NSW Government – NSW Health
This Department manages health services in New South Wales. The website has a health information index, downloadable resources, a list of mental health services, information about NSW hospitals and immunisation advice.

Service NSW
This is the main access point for NSW Government information and online services. You can also call Service NSW – phone 137 788, Monday-Friday, 7 am-7 pm.

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.