South Australia: services

New babies and young children: support in South Australia

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 and Family Health Service (CaFHS)
The Child and Family Health Service provides free support for families with children aged 0-5 years in South Australia. After you have a baby, a child and family health nurse can visit you at home or you can see them at your nearest health centre. If you have any concerns about your baby, your young child, yourself or your family, these nurses can help. To make an appointment with a CaFHS nurse, phone 1300 733 606, Monday-Friday, 9 am-4.30 pm.

Child and Family Health Service – Torrens House
This is a community residential unit for families with babies aged up to 12 months who need extra support for unresolved feeding, settling and sleeping issues. If you think Torrens House can help your family, your child and family health nurse can tell you more.

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 Helpline
This is a confidential telephone advice and information service for parents and carers of children aged 0-12 years in South Australia. Qualified nurses, social workers and community health workers are available to listen, give you support, and direct you to relevant services. Phone Parent Helpline on 1300 364 100, 7 days, 7.15 am-9.15 pm. Calls outside these times are redirected to Healthdirect Australia.

Parenting SA
Parenting SA has Parent Easy Guides with information on raising children from birth to 18 years. There are guides specially developed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and guides in community languages.

Child care in South Australia

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 South Australia

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 SA on 1800 171 882, Monday-Friday, 9 am-4 pm.

Preschool in South Australia

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 SA Department for Education. Others are run by local governments, community-based organisations or the private sector.

Playcentres might be available in small rural communities that don’t have preschools. Playcentres promote children’s early learning and development, offering activities facilitated by an early childhood worker for children under school age and their families.

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

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

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 South Australia

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 – South Australia on 1300 364 277 or 1800 182 325 (country callers), 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:

Domestic Violence Crisis Line on 1800 800 098, 7 days, 24 hours
Women’s Information Service on 1800 188 158, Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm
National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service on 1800 737 732 (1800RESPECT), 7 days, 24 hours.

General parenting services and information in South Australia

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

South Australian Government services and other links for families

Government of South Australia
This is the website of the Government of South Australia. It has information about South Australia and about services provided by the Government. The website has links to SA Government agencies and departments.

Government of South Australia – Department for Education
This Department oversees early childhood care and services in South Australia and manages the education system. The website has a directory to help you find a school or preschool in South Australia. It also has information about curriculum and child care options in South Australia.

Government of South Australia – Department of Human Services
This Department is responsible for concessions for people on low or fixed incomes, disability support services and youth justice.

Government of South Australia – SA Health
SA Health manages hospitals and delivers health services in South Australia. Its website has current health alerts for South Australia as well as information and contact details for child and family health centres and other health care centres throughout the state.

Parenting SA
Parenting SA is a SA Government program. The website has information for parents and carers on a range of parenting topics. It also has Parent Easy Guides guides for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, plus guides in community languages.

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.